Pets are people, too

Last Week, NBC's morning news program, the Today show, reported that 40 million Americans have at least one dog. More astonishing, however, was the fact that Americans spend about $38 billion per year on their pets.

Elsewhere in the news recently, Governor Bush signed the Doggie Dine-In Bill, permitting dogs to accompany their owners to outdoor eating establishments. Each county and restaurant owner has the choice to allow dogs in their outside dining areas. The bill was signed shortly after Bush lost his Labrador, Marvin, to cancer

Don't forget that June 23 is Take Your Dog to Work Day, as reported in the Eagle last week by Chris Curle.

For such a small island, pet owners have all the resources they need to care for and pamper their pets. Several people whom I spoke to repeated the same sentiment: "Pets are family members," said Donna Bowen of Island Animal Hospital.

Nadine Peterson, owner of Marco Pet Salon, made this observation: "Baby boomers are still young when their kids are grown and many replace (their absence) with a dog."

Some animal lovers even choose a line of work that gives them more time with their pets. Sheila Martin, a former bartender for 14 years and owner of Pampered Paws, said one motive for opening her shop was, "I get to take my dogs to work everyday."

I researched the businesses that cater to domestic animals on Marco Island. Maybe it was because everywhere I go I see people walking their dogs, hear birds squawking from lanais and notice lounging cats observing it all with their laissez-faire attitudes.

Or maybe I was interested because I adore animals — sometimes more than humans. I have two dogs and I admit I spoil them, but the rewards are indescribable. My mantra is "My dogs aren't spoiled, I'm just well trained."

The following is a representation of the warm and wonderful island pet services offered to our canine, feline, ornithological, reptilian and aquatic (etc.) companions.

Boarding

Critter Café, 810 Bald Eagle Dr.; 389-8488; www.crittercafe.biz. Dogs only, but plan to board cats. Large stalls not cages. Bedding, food and treats provided or bring your own. Dogs from the same family can "room together." Fenced-in play area and daily walks. Vacationers board their dogs and come by daily to take them on an outing or a walk.

Island Animal Hospital (see under Medical Services).

Marco Pet Salon (see under Grooming).

Marco Veterinary Hospital (see under Medical Services).

Doggy Daycare

Critter Café. Dogs are dropped off for the day or a few hours and play with one another — one area for large breeds and one for small breeds.

Grooming

Critter Café. Groomer Scott Hester has two part-time assistants. Their schedule fills up fast, so reserve ahead. Grooming hours will increase in the near future.

Marco Pet Salon, 960 Chalmer Drive #102; 642-2221. Nadine Peterson shampoos, cuts, and blow-dries all dog (colorful bows are popular) and cat breeds – lion cuts are common. Peterson has plenty of experience: She shows her award-winning Bedlington terriers and grooms them for competitions.

Marco Veterinary Hospital (see under Medical Services).

Medical and Dental Health Services

Island Animal Hospital, 1095 Bald Eagle Drive; 394-9090. Dr. James Bowen; full-service hospital. Board canines and felines. Treat "pocket pals," too, such as ferrets, gerbils, chinchillas and birds. They sell dog and cat food and preventive-health treatments. During the first six months of this year, approximately 345 county licenses were issued!

Marco Veterinary Hospital, 1842 San Marco Road; 394-2535. Drs. Brent Garrison and Elizabeth Steward preside over this complete-service hospital. They board and groom dogs and cats (with separate entrances and waiting rooms for each). They have a fenced-in grassy play area for boarders to play ball and Frisbee. Dog and cat food are stocked, as well as toys, leashes, brushes, collars and other accessories, along with flea-and-tick-and heartworm-preventive treatments. (County license information wasn't available at press time.)

Pet-friendly Hotels/Motels

The Boathouse Motel, 1180 Edington Place; 642-2400. Owners since 1990, Nick and Desiree Buhelos offer five first-floor king-size rooms and a two-bedroom, two-bath waterfront house for visitors and their pets. One time a dog ate a comforter, but the owners were happy to pay for it. The Buhelos owned a shepherd for a long time until its death and since then have had twins, a boy and a girl, who are 6, leaving no time for a dog.

The Radisson Suite Beach Resort, 600 S. Collier Blvd., 394-4100. Began accepting dogs and cats (up to 50 pounds) in late March 2006. Toni Piringer, general manager, said the Radisson "would like to give families the chance to relax together, free from worries about pet sitters or kennels." A refundable deposit is required.

Note: Marriott Vacation Club has bought this resort and will take over in mid-July. It is unknown whether pets will be welcome since the Marco Marriott resort doesn't accept pets.

Pet Grief Support

Naples Hospice Pet Grief and Loss Support Group, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples; 261-4404. Meets from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Hospice of Naples.

Pet Portrait Photographer

Nancy Dowdall Photography, 642-9685; www.nancydowdallphotography.com. Beautiful large-scale black-and-white or color photographs of you and your pet or your animals solo. Some of Dowdall's portraits hang on the walls of Pampered Paws.

Pet Products

Critter Café. Holistic food; high-quality toys; leashes and collars galore; fancy dog and cat beds; sweaters, raincoats, costumes and sunglasses ("Doggles"); Sherpa luxury carry bags; all-natural doggy baked goods; greeting cards and more; supplies for birds, fish, turtles, iguanas and ferrets. Critter Café ships products to clients up north.

New owner Cindy Blatt, whose family has rescued animals for 15 years, will extend grooming hours, expand boutique and add people snacks and coffee. Original owner, Gail Jureller, will be involved in the shop and training. Blatt has two rescued miniature schnauzers — one from a puppy mill that almost killed Mitzie, now 8, and Abbey, 8, rescued in Lakeland, Fla.

Island Animal Hospital (see under Medical Services).

Marco Veterinary Hospital (see under Medical Services).

Pampered Paws, 1757B San Marco Road; 389-4333; www.pamperedpaw.net. Owner Sheila Martin moved from Chalmer Drive and added more products, including natural food; frozen patties (chicken, lamb, beef, etc.); dehydrated meat for trips or hurricanes; treats, such as Woofy-Pop and Pooch Pops (meat, cheese freezer pops); organic dog bakery and soon, doggy ice cream! Martin sells dog clothes suitable for children — overalls, souvenir tees, and even leather high-top sneakers for toy breeds! It's a "baby store for pets." Martin said, "Everything they make for kids, they make for pets" — beds, strollers, car seats and toys, toys, toys! There are practical products, so islanders don't have to go off-island to buy ear wash, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.

Pet Sitting

Critter Café, Cindy Blatt and Gail Jureller (see under Boarding).

Island Pet Sitters, Karina Paape, 389-1837; (239) 272-1659 (cell). Paape is accredited by Pet Sitters International, certified in pet first aid, licensed, bonded and insured. Cats, dogs, birds, fish and iguanas are some animals under her care. She offers taxi service, pet workouts and mail pick-up. Paape is trained to give shots to diabetic animals.

Her goal is "peace of mind" for the client. She follows the pet owner's routine to ensure the animal is well adjusted. "Dogs wear wrist watches," Paape said. "They know that it's 8 p.m. and time to go for a walk."

Note: Paape said a coyote was loose on the island. It killed her neighbor's cat and, reportedly, injured a retriever. Traps were set. She warns not to leave pets outside unattended.

Pampered Paws (see under Pet Products).

Pet Training

Critter Café, Gail Jureller, 389-8488. Personal training with dog and owner.