|
Pampered Pets - The first page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Erin Frustaci
|
|
Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 5  
Click on button above for video of Camp Bow Wow.
Vicki Galloway loves her baby. She tucks her under the covers at night, dresses her in little pink dresses and takes her everywhere.
“She’s completely and utterly spoiled,” Galloway said.
With hot pink nails, Pandora, an Italian greyhound, is one pampered pooch.
But she isn’t alone. From massages at doggie spas to going to day camp while their “parents” are off at work, pups in northern Colorado are livin’ the high life.
“People spend tons of money on their pets; it’s crazy,” Galloway said. “But I’d probably spend a lot more if I could. She would probably have her own room.”
 Galloway, 22, of Fort Collins works at Camp Bow Wow, a day care for dogs, and frequently brings Panda (that’s Pandora’s nickname) along. Galloway’s father breeds Italian greyhounds and recently got a tattoo of their first one.
“Dogs are pretty much our lives,” Galloway said.
DOGGIE DAY CARE
Stereotypical kennels are being replaced with the doggie equivalent of the Ritz Carlton. Just like dropping a child off at day care, more people are taking to pet-cares.
“People are working longer hours and don’t want to leave their dogs at home,” said Robin Stolz, a camp supervisor at Camp Bow Wow in Fort Collins. “This gives them an alternative.”
Camp Bow Wow offers both day and overnight care, complete with cots, fleece blankets and campfire treats. Instead of being cooped up in kennels all day, dogs play with other dogs in indoor and outdoor play areas. This is a good way to socialize a dog, Stolz said.
Owners can even keep an eye on their dog because the play areas are equipped with Web cameras.
“We do get people calling to check on their dogs, even with the Web cameras,” Stolz said.
Camp Bow Wow charges $20 per day and $30 overnight.
But for people who still can’t bare to leave Fido behind, more hotels are becoming pet-friendly, some even providing dog beds. Now, if only pooches could qualify for frequent flyer miles.
DAY AT THE SPA
It’s a tough life, being a dog. After a day filled with barking at passerbys, fetching the newspaper and waiting by the door, a dog deserves some pampering too. Dog groomers are recognizing this and have expanded services from a simple wash and shave to massages and aromatherapy baths.
 April Castillon, owner of Spa for Paws in Fort Collins, said every dog and cat who comes in to get groomed gets a massage in the bathtub. She offers all natural shampoos in a variety of scents including lavender, tropical coconut, citrus fresh and more.
“We give all the girls flowers instead of bows,” Castillon said.
She was also one of the first to introduce Reiki to the pet industry. According to a brochure, Reiki is a technique for stress and relaxation, improving health and enhancing the quality of life. Some pets even see a chiropractor or an acupuncturist regularly.
After a nice makeover, pets can get their picture taken to capture all their cuteness. Say bones.
BAKING MORE THAN MILK BONES
  Speaking of bones, doggie bakeries make treats dogs will drool over.
Laura Beer and Cyndy Pecic, owners of Arfy’s Merchantile for Dogs and Cats in Fort Collins, starting baking dog treats nine years ago.
“We were running another business, had some time on our hands and wanted to do something unique,” Beer said.
They sell assorted treats, pupcakes and birthday cakes.
“We have a lot of customers who don’t have children and their dogs are their children,” Beer said. “They take them out on rides and have birthday parties for them.”
She said one of the reasons specialty treats have become so popular is people have gotten more health conscious with what they eat, so it is natural that carries over to pets.
Kathy Sietos, 23, of Fort Collins said her 2-year-old black lab, Delilah, loves doggy ice cream.
“I bought her the peanut butter flavor,” she said. “I get it at the grocery store.”
 Pig, a 140-pound great Dane, likes to have hamburger mixed in with his food for dinner. His owner, Katrina Vinson, 19, of Fort Collins said he eats nine cups of food a day, sleeps in her bed and listens to music when she is gone.
“My mom makes him eggs every morning when he visits her,” she said.
PLAY DATES AT DOG PARKS
Instead of taking kids to play in the sandbox, proud parents of dogs take their pooches to dog parks where they can run leash-free and play with their pals.
Sara Trent, 27, of Fort Collins takes her rottweiler, Manny, to the dog park frequently. She said she likes being around other dog people and watching all of the dogs play.
Dog parks are a perfect way to socialize dogs with other dogs. Owners will toss a ball with their dog, chat with other “parents” or bring some reading material.
Julie Boecking, 30, of Fort Collins brings her dachshunds Samson and Sasha everywhere. They rollerblade with her and go for rides on her motorcycle and ATV.
Boecking said she has lost relationships in the past — because of her dogs — before finding another dog-lover.
“If you want to spend your life with me, you have to like my dogs,” she said.
FIDO, IS THAT YOU?
 An Arizona-based company has designed a cell phone specifically made for pets. The PetCell, made byPetsMobility, is a GPS tracking devise with two-way communication ability. So how does it work? An owner calls their pet’s number and the device, which is attached to a collar, answers on a speakerphone automatically.
Though the idea may sound a little crazy, many people have been known to hold up a phone to a dog’s ear to say hello.
The PetCell can also help locate a missing pet. The product will cost about $400, with a monthly network fee of about $10-$20. For more information on the PetCell, visit www.petsmobility.com.
SPOILED ROTTEN
Just like with children, there can be a fine line between showing affection and spoiling them rotten.
“A lot of people who pamper their pets forget the obedience aspect and don’t want to tell their dog ‘No’,” Galloway said.
Another danger, she said, is that a dog can become overweight if given too many treats.
“Some people even have strollers for their dogs,” she said. “That’s too much for me.”
The bottom line? A dog’s training and health should never be compromised when it comes to pampering.
Boecking said she pampers her dogs because they deserve it and are good animals. Other owners just can’t help repay their pal for their affection.
Trent said Manny gets whatever he wants and goes the pet store once a week.
“He’s got me wrapped around his paw,” Trent said.
Click here for a look at some of Northern Colorado's Most Pampered Pets!
|
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
| |
