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Edited By Ron DonohoTails of the City
Frannie, a 2-year-old shepherd mix, was adopted thanks to the efforts of the nonprofit FOCAS. To find other dogs that deserve to be pampered, call 619-685-3536 or go to focas-sandiego.org.
See Spot run—up a tab, that is. Americans spend more than $20 billion annually on their pets. And for many of San Diego’s 77,000 licensed canines, it’s a dog-eat-steak world.
San Diego’s indulgent dog lovers spend considerable moolah on their mutts. There are bookstores, restaurants, charitable events (like the Bow Wow Ball) and day camps that cater to man’s best friend. There are doctors who specialize in therapy (mental and physical) as well as reconstructive surgery for dogs. We also found a firm selling 4-ounce dog spritz scents like Canine Coconut and Bow Wow Bouquet ($8.99 each). A line of organic shampoos and conditioners is expected soon.
Suddenly, the phrase “It’s a dog’s life” doesn’t seem so pejorative.
A few other examples of local doggie indulgence:
# Terra restaurant in Hillcrest specializes in a doggie menu with savory choices like pooch pizza and a garlic cookie on a rawhide stick. The Original Paw Pleasers Doggie Cafe, also in Hillcrest, bakes up carob brownies and birthday treats for four-legged clients.
# The list of dog-friendly hotels includes downtown’s U.S. Grant and the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Both offer pet packages complete with leashes, water dishes, edible treats and dog beds. Loews’ pet room service tempts taste buds with Bow Wow Beef Tenderloin (made with a pound of filet mignon).
# For distraught dogs and owners, pet consultant Brigitte Noel of Mission Hills offers “alternative” telepathic therapy, translating your dog’s nonverbal communication into words. For $100, Noel provides the telepathic service and sends you home with a tape of the session.
# No time to personally pamper your pet? Owners who work long hours can take advantage of Day Care for Dogs (3 miles east of Del Mar), where canine clients enjoy a 74-acre ranch, pools, beach trips and more. For $32 a day you can, according to owner Janet Leech, “ease the guilt of leaving your dog alone” and give Fido the socialization experience he so needs.
But while lucky dogs get gourmet cookies and room service, there are others less fortunate. We were glad to hear of one group that’s focused on making some neglected dogs’ lives more pleasant.
The nonprofit FOCAS (Friends of County Animal Shelters) works to increase the number of adoptions at three local shelters. “We work exclusively with shelter animals, doing what we can to make their lives pleasant,” says FOCAS events coordinator Bernice Friedman, “and working to find them good, responsible homes.” Efforts include building exercise runs, assisting with veterinary fees and operating a foster care program.
FOCAS’ “Picnic with Your Pet,” fund-raiser is October 15. “This is a special time, celebrating how adoptions bring dogs from bad situations into happy homes,” says Friedman. Also, twice a month, FOCAS holds an “adoption event,” a good way to find yourself a pal who’d love to be taken out for some pooch pizza.
—Sarah Laubach
The Air Up There
Commercial air travel can be a hassle. But it’s a nuisance that can be salved with lots and lots of money. That’s where Ejets comes in.
A new Orange County company providing charter airplanes for the rich-and-in-a-hurry, Ejets allows consumers to customize a schedule and purchase a flight on-line. You can depart as soon as 6 to 8 hours after booking a variety of aircraft—from a seven-seat Cessna Citation to a full-scale 737.
Wondering about price? The sky is barely the limit. Ejets president and cofounder Rick Robinson says an average flight costs $5,000-$10,000. A cross-country round-trip charter flight (seating 10) runs $30,000. The executive-style 737 (with 45 seats) costs a cool $120,00 for a jaunt to New York and back.
Robinson says his company flies circles around service offered by commercial airlines. “It becomes an issue of time value, not just dollar value,” he says. “You can save hours in layover time, and can even hold business meetings on our planes.” Specialized dining options are also available—limited only by your imagination.
To date, clients have included sports teams, entertainers and Fortune 1,000 executives (Robinson won’t name names). By year’s end, the company hopes to be scheduling more than 200 flights a month. In development: charter packages and tours, like African safaris. Be forewarned: Package prices could be more frightening than a charging wildebeest.
For more information, call 877-GO-EJETS, or go to ejets.com.
—Sarah Laubach
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