Traveling With Pets

...Go!

My dog thought we'd never get there. OK, maybe I did have a little trouble navigating Tucson. But all Svetlana did was let out those heavy sighs that could only mean, "How the heck long have we been driving?"

But we finally arrived! I was stained with ketchup from Phoenix and mustard from Utah. I wasn't even sure I had the strength to smile at the valet. It was midnight and raining and I was miserable. But then the parking attendant leaned into the car and said, "Oh good! You brought a dog! Ma'am, we always love it when people bring their pets."

The welcomes didn't end there. Svetlana's feet tapped right through the elegant lobby, her tail wagging. It felt strange not to be hiding her! The woman who checked us in at the desk welcomed her. The man who carried my bags to our room said how glad he was to see her. Other guests stopped to pet her and ask her name. "Svet - what? Oh well, never mind. She's very cute, though."

In our room, Svetlana hopped up on the bed and someone brought her a bag full of goodies and dog dishes. I thanked him and he said, "There's jazz and cocktails in the lounge. Your dog is welcome almost everywhere in the resort. You're also free to leave her unattended in the room. Call the front desk if you want us to walk her while you get a massage or just want some time away. And here's her room service menu."

I looked at the dog food prices and shot her my best "Don't even think about it" look. She just panted at me.

Svetlana and I were not going to spend the weekend alone - we were actually meeting friends. She was expecting a handsome German shepherd mix named Kane (pictured) who thinks he's her boyfriend, but she hates him. (Oh, Svetlana, you heart breaker.) And I was expecting my best friend, Lance. He and I are married. Our jobs often separate us, but plush resorts have a way of helping you make up for lost time.

Now, I love Kane. But unlike dainty Svetlana, he's a real test for a pet-friendly establishment! He weighs a whopping 100 pounds and is full of energy. But Loews accepts all pets - cats, dogs, and many other species of pets - and even 100-pound goofballs.

The dogs had a blast. They loved taking walks on the nature trails - which are lit up with lanterns at night when it's cooler. They loved trotting around the hotel on leash, being greeted by all the children and adults who were so elated to see the unusual spectacle of a real, live dog in a hotel. Even the cleaning woman loved them!

But one of the things we wound up appreciating most was that we could leave the dogs unattended in our room. Many hotels won't let you do that. The attitude seems to be "Surely, you can take him to the restaurant? The museum? The movie?" While the movie theater staff are counting on you leaving him at the hotel!

But this was not a problem here. Our dogs made themselves comfortable in the room while Lance and I enjoyed the spa, the sauna, the pool, the lavish brunch buffet... and the hot stone massage, which we were told was "all the rage" among the spoiled rich. Warm stones are placed on your back to loosen the muscles while your front is massaged and then vice versa. If the dogs only knew what they were missing!

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