Pet hotels really puttin' on the dog

Washington, DC - Jackson was one of the first guests to check in to one of the newest hotels in Bethesda, Md. He marched through the elegant lobby with its cherry wood reception desk and ceramic tile floor to his Large Atrium Room, outfitted with a comfy bed and aromatherapy scented air. He was treated to filtered drinking water and a hypoallergenic lambskin blanket, plus an afternoon snack of lactose-free ice cream. He brought four of his own toys in case he got homesick...
Source: Projo.com

TAILS raises funds and plans to expand

DeKalb, IL - Guests at Saturday's Black Tie and TAILS fundraiser congregated around white-clothed tables in the Barsema Hall basement while sharing shrimp and veggies for hors d'oeuvres. TAILS executive director Beth Drake and president Wendy Menard announced future plans to add new facilities to their current property at 2250 Barber Greene Road...
Source: Star.NIU.edu

Entrepreneurs tap market for pampered pets

Lawrenceville, GA - It’s 6 o’clock in the morning. The playpens are ready, the toys are piled up and Kenya Newman is prepared to greet her daycare students with a warm hug and a scratch behind the ear. The doors of her business open, and instantly the eager and excited little ones pull their parents inside. The students run and jump, dig in the dirt and roughhouse with each other. It might sound a bit animalistic, but that’s because Kenya’s kids – are canines...
Source: GBJ.com

Furry heroes

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - The little Springer Spaniel is a bundle of energy as it leaps, jumps, climbs and scampers around a set-up comprising wooden boxes and compartments. Finally it climbs atop one of the wooden boxes and barks and yelps excitedly.
Suddenly, a fireman jumps out of the box and plays with the joyful canine. This is part of the training of search-and-rescue dogs at the fire station in Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur. The search-and-rescue unit of the station is the pioneering group in using dogs in its operations...
Source: TheStar.com.my, 5/1/2006

A nose for the job

Malaysia - In this day and age of disasters, both natural and man-made, and the threat of terrorism, dogs have become more than just man’s best friend, and are increasingly important in saving lives. Search-and-rescue dogs have a crucial role in detecting human survivors as well as weapons and explosives that could potentially harm innocent people. ALLAN KOAY talks to a dog trainer, the Fire Department and the K-9 Unit of the police force, to find out more about these canine heroes...
Source: TheStar.com.my, 5/1/2006

Md. poised to join exotic pets ban

Annapolis, MD - Thinking about getting a wolf or a little monkey to keep as an unusual pet? You have about a month left to legally acquire exotic pets such as those under a bill awaiting the governor's signature...
Source: DelmarvaNow.com, 5/1/2006

Dogs may get to dine out more

Tallahassee, FL - In a victory for canine civil rights, the Florida Senate voted Friday to make it possible for certain restaurants to welcome dogs to outdoor dining areas.The bill, which still needs approval from the House, allows cities to decide whether to opt out of portions of the state law banning dogs from restaurants...
Source: Sun-Sentinel.com, 4/29/2006

Herd this one? Bear dogs!

Edmonton - Don't let their cute and cuddly looks fool you. Two puppies that just arrived in Alberta this week will soon be helping provincial Fish and Wildlife officers with a variety of duties -- including herding bears. The courageous canines, who have yet to be named, are Karelian bear dogs, a breed with a proven track record when it comes to human-bear conflicts...
Source: CalgarySun.com, 4/29/2006