Animal Indulgence
What do you get for the pet that has everything? How about a massage, a portrait, a home pedicure, or a resort vacation? Here are 10 local finds guaranteed to please your pug, soothe your Siamese, tame your Toucan, and prove you love your llama.
By kelli ohrtman
Photo by cyrille berger (illustrations)
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6. Hostel Attitude
Hundreds of hotels allow pets, but what about a destination that does better than that? Turtle Creek Ranch in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, is as much a getaway for dogs as people. “The places I have visited that claimed to be dog-friendly turned out to be places where dogs were simply tolerated,” says owner Vicki Hoff. “Dogs often had to be on a leash, and they didn’t have places for dogs to run, explore, and play.” That’s why she offers all of the above at Turtle Creek. www.turtlecreekranch.com¶ If you gotta go and Fido can’t, his vacation may be more fun than yours at Downtown Dogs, the massive, newly expanded boarding, daycare, grooming, and training wonderland in Minneapolis. You can even check in on him via webcam. www.downtowndogsminneapolis.com
¶ If your pet is more of a homebody, search for a sitter to come to your home while you’re away. Better than the neighbor kid, try Professional Pet Sitters of Minnesota. www.petsittersmn.org
7. Grooming on the Go
No one likes the inevitable struggle brought on by a trip to the groomer. A better option might be to bring the shears and shampoo right to the door. Irene Kronmiller of At Home Mobile Pet Groom is willing to drive her portable bath-mobile anywhere within 10 miles of her St. Louis Park home, doing the dirty work right in front of her client’s homes. She says the animals find it pleasant. “They’re not exposed to any other animals and they can see their house,” she says. 952-922-1499 www.mobilegroomers.net8. Best Behavior
For pet lovers who prefer the scientific to the psychic, Christopher L. Pachel, of Twin Cities Veterinary Behavior, offers in-home consultations for pets’ behavioral problems. He helps with cats that don’t use the litter box, with dogs that bark, dig, piddle, jump, or bite. “I rely on what the animal shows in body language cues and behavior patterns,” Pachel says. From that he forms a diagnosis and treatment plan. It’s all based on “a scientific background,” he explains. Treatment can include managing the bad behavior and maneuvering it into good behavior, and when appropriate, administering meds. www.tcvetbehavior.com9. Lovin’ Art
Covering Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, Benda Photography captures beautiful photographs of anything that its customers consider pets. The studio’s portfolio is filled with people and their monkeys, snakes, reptiles, rabbits, and rats, as well as more conventional—and just as cute—beasts. Jim and Kae Benda’s oeuvre includes teacup dogs spilling from teapots, kittens piled on vintage furniture, and mutts making faces. www.bendaphotography.com
Photo by Eric Moore
10. Dog Paddling
Get out the doggy water-wings and swim cap. For dogs that are arthritic, recovering from surgery, or troubled by muscle or joint pain, K9 Hydrotherapy’s St. Louis Park facility has a warm-water pool, whirlpool, and an underwater treadmill to get them moving—with no skeletal impact and many health benefits. Dogs must have a veterinarian referral, but once they do, they usually leave feeling like a million bucks. Owner John Lambert says, “We love every dog that comes here, and every dog loves coming here.” It’s no wonder: sessions include massage and range of motion exercises in the whirlpool. www.k9hydrotherapyinc.com
Photo by Eric Moore
Kelli Ohrtman, a freelance writer, shares a house with five dogs, two cats, and the occasional stray.
