The pampered pooch: No limit on what you can pets, relaxing, ultimate, quarter, system

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The pampered pooch: No limit on what you can spend



The ultimate doghouse belongs to a pair of Great Danes in Britain, whose owner spared no expense for their kennel — or should we say palace — which cost $500,000 and was a quarter of the size of her own $3-million estate.

The anonymous surgeon outfitted the architect-designed doggie digs with a $300,000 sound system, so her pets could enjoy dog-friendly shows on their own 52-inch plasma TV while relaxing on their sheepskin-lined, temperature-controlled beds.

Turns out the luxury suites enjoyed by the two Great Danes are something pampered pooches in B.C. can also enjoy, albeit not in their own backyard.

Jet Pet Resort, which opened nine months ago near Vancouver International Airport, also provides temperature-controlled suites, plasma screen televisions and sheepskin-lined beds. The company’s ultra-luxury suite, at $129 a night, comes with a telephone and video cam, so vacationing owners can wish their pet good night and look in on him or her from time to time.

There’s even a $1,000-a-night “Rock Star” package, which — although it has yet to be booked — is aimed at pet owners who want to pull out all the stops. Perks include a full-time pet specialist, who provides “extra hugs and love” while ensuring the pet’s every need is met, from picnics in Stanley Park to steak meals, private walks, doggie massages and luxury spa treatments.

If a pet owner books the package for a full week, the dog gets the added star treatment of limo service for pickup and drop-off, as well as a photo album of his adventures while on vacation and a paw memory cast, said Jet Pet Resort owner Cam Dahl.

The lifelong animal lover, who is certified at pet first aid, believes her 7,000-square-foot doggie daycare and overnight resort is at the top of the dogpack when it comes to pampering.

The indoor courtyard replicates a city park with its life-size fake trees, city bench and fire hydrant.

The resort also has a doggie boutique, decorated with chandeliers, selling many “must-haves” for the pampered pooch, such as pink Juicy Couture bath robes and handmade doggie treats from a Whistler-based company called Kaliwags, which cost $2.50 a pop.

Popular items include the West Paw ball, which floats and bounces, and “To Beg For” doggie treats, which are made with organic ingredients by a Richmond company.

“Fifty per cent of our clients are older, well-established and don’t have kids,” Dahl said. “These are their kids and they will do anything for them.”

Dogs spend most of their days socializing with other dogs in the two outdoor play areas, one of which has two outdoor pools. They can retire to their private suite at night — either an “executive” suite with a view of the indoor courtyard for $59 a night or the classic suite with a glass door but no view for $10 less.

Dahl said about 90 per cent of her clients also pay for an additional spa treatment, dog grooming or doggie massage during their stay at the resort.

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“They just feel it’s something their dog deserves to do. Our saying is ‘your pet deserves a vacation, too’.”

The Rex Dog Hotel and Spa has also offered pampering for dogs for the past six years.

The hotel, located near First and Terminal in downtown Vancouver, has two separate open-concept spaces — one for small dogs and one for larger breeds — where the dogs are free to hang out and roam back and forth from the indoor to the outdoor area.

In the evenings, staff pull out a bed and sleep with the dogs, many of whom are already used to sleeping with their owners and prefer to snuggle up with a human when the lights are dimmed.

For a dog to be able to stay in the homelike environment, where soft music plays during the day, it must pass an assessment to ensure it isn’t aggressive towards other dogs and people. Costs vary from $38 to $58 a night, depending on the length of the stay.

The Pet Shop Boys, on Cambie Street near 16th, describes itself as a dogcare boutique. It accepts a maximum of 18 dogs in its daycare, which is adjacent to a high-end doggie product retail store and ultra grooming shop.

Dogs in its care are given a two-hour walk every day, said co-owner David Rogowski, while those receiving grooming are handled by a groomer with extensive training who uses hand scissors. Grooming fees range from $35 to as much as $280 for dogs with longer, curly hair. The shop also does fashion cuts, like the Mohawk or star cut.

The Pet Shop Boys also offer, by appointment only, the services of a doggie psychic, a pet reiki-masseuse and a doggie chiropractor.

Co-founder Chris Steele said they’ve received several requests every month since they opened 18 months ago for the dog psychic, who charges $60 for half an hour and $100 for an hour.

“Sometimes it’s very hard to communicate with animals so people bring their pets here so Beverly can talk to the animals,” said Steele.

“We had a young couple who brought in their cat, who was peeing on his side of the bed. The cat told Beverly he was doing it to get even because [the owner] was spending seven hours on video games and not enough time with the cat.”

Steele and Rogowski were so impressed they hired the psychic to talk to their own Great Dane, a rescue dog named Drake, to learn more about his abusive past. Steele said it helped them to be more understanding of some of Drake’s behaviours, so they’re better equipped now to help him.

Drake and the couple’s other dog, a pug, are now in the enviable position of having owners who can pamper them with the high-end doggie products sold at the store. Think Union Jack dog collars and leashes imported from France, ranging in price from $89 to $220.

“The French know how to accessorize their dogs,” said Rogowski.

There’s a bling collar and bracelet set for $160, petite doggie shoes for $55 and gold-rimmed food bowls for $82.

Just in are poo-bag holders in the shape of a bone — covered with Swarovski crystal — in pink, blue or silver, for $245. This item is from Las Vegas, where bling is king.

For those with smaller budgets, doggie chew toys — featuring names like chewy vuitton, sniffany & co., Pawda, Gucchewi and Jimmy Chews — can be found for $20.

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Cam Dahl, owner of Jet Pet Resort in Richmond, in the inner courtyard of her dog-minding facility.



Cam Dahl, owner of Jet Pet Resort in Richmond, in the inner courtyard of her dog-minding facility.


Juicy couture dog clothes.


Pet Shop Boys’ owners Christopher Steele (left) and David Rogowski with their dogs Drake, a Great Dane/lab cross, and Pippin, a pug.