You know that £250 spending money you were counting on? Well I’m afraid that’s no longer yours to spend on yourself.
This year it’s time give your loyal mutt a proper break too and treat them to a little TLC while you’re lapping up the sun, sea and sangria on holiday.
Because, let’s face it, when you’re a pampered pet with free run of a warm, comfortable home, regular meals, more toys than Hamleys and a loving owner to tend to your every need, being left in a lonely kennel or cattery for two weeks is no holiday.
There are kennels…and then there are kennels
And the Gay Dog Boarding Kennel and Cattery in Hampshire which has been running since 1963 (which explains the name; rather than your dog’s sexual orientation) is definitely the latter.
It provides a webcam service, so you can log on and check what Fido’s up to in between margarita’s (yours, that is, not his).
Spa retreat
Or how about Greendale Farm in High Wycombe, Bucks? As well as a chauffeur service to and from home, there is a 30-foot hydrotherapy pool for doggy swimmers to splash around (well a holiday isn’t a holiday without a dip in the pool, is it?). Oh, and there’s a solarium so they can dry off in comfort afterwards.
Then there’s the Tarbay Centre. Billed as a ‘country retreat for cats and dogs’ it’s situated in 4.5 acres of beautiful Windsor woodland. Dogs get a daily one mile walk, and then they’re got the day at leisure to play in the exercise paddock or go for a splash in the heated hydrotherapy pool and spa. There’s even an on-site grooming salon so they can go for a spot of last minute pampering, before heading home thoroughly refreshed and relaxed.
Have paws, will travel
How do you say ‘woof’ in French? If you don’t know and you’ve got a dog you might want to brush up on your ‘language’ skills. The relaxation of pet travel rules means our four-legged friends can set foot (well, paw, strictly speaking) on foreign soil, which means that pets are the chicest travel companions this summer.
Bonjour monsieur le chien
Once en vacances don’t be surprised to see dogs in restaurants, particularly in France and the Netherlands. As long as the dog sits quietly under the table, owners can take them in to many places that serve food.
And you’ll find that, more often than not, they’re not just tolerated they’re positively welcomed. Which means extra pampering for Rover.
If you’ve got a fussy pooch on your hands head to the Hotel des Thermes in Brides-les-Bains, France. Your dog will even be treated to a special ‘menu chien’, with a choice of dishes.
You’ll just have to hope he doesn’t get too used to it.
