Off the Record: Things have really gone to the dogs

September 10, 2003|By Jim Grisso, Pulbisher

Canines have been all over the news lately. Some were honored for service to their fellow man. Others received the news that they are now welcome at luxury hotels.

Dogs make the news all the time in our household. Never a dull moment around our place with three doggies, sometimes four if the granddog stays over.

Some people think I'm crazy for having three dogs. Even one dog is more than some folks can tolerate.

But I've had a dog around virtually my entire life. I can't imagine how it would be without their companionship.

Like they say: you can say anything you want to your dog, and they won't talk back.

When golden retriever Publisher died almost five years ago, my wife, Sue, and I vowed we would not get another dog. Several months later we had not one, but two goldens, Pulitzer and Chamois. Not too long after that we adopted a black Labrador retriever mix, Mazzie Star, from son Eric.


So, when I read about man's best friend in the news or watch Animal Planet on TV, it's one of life's greatest pleasures for me. Besides, my dog Pulitzer likes Animal Planet more than I do.

Several canines were honored as heroes in Washington, D.C. recently by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Homeland Security Dept.

The award for top dog in the U.S. went to a yellow Labrador retriever, Crazy Joe. He's an 80-pound narcotics detector who was adopted from an animal shelter. How do you like that one?

In his 10-year career, Crazy Joe has uncovered more than $10 million worth of cocaine, heroin and other narcotics. That's impressive.

Homeland Security has more than 1,200 dogs working for us. I wonder what they get paid?

A couple other dogs honored were Popeye the basset hound, which makes regular visits bringing laughter to children and adults in a Puerto Rican hospital, and Arthos, a Beauceron search-and-rescue dog from Germany, which helped save the life of a suicidal 12-year-old girl by leading police to her.

Also in the news is the Starwood Hotels, which announced they are now accepting dogs as guests (if accompanied by their owner). Starwood, which owns such hotels as the Westin and Sheraton, is really putting out the puppy mat.

On check-in, dogs receive a package with the white hooded terry cloth robe, leash, collar, hotel ID tag, a bone and other goodies. You talk about first class treatment, this is really the cat's meow (uh, dog's bark?).

That's not all. The rooms have cushy designer dog beds. It gets better. Some hotels offer dog massages.

What about when the pooch has to relieve himself? Gotcha covered. There's a 24-hour shuttle service to a potty location.

Some of the rooms are even designed for dog occupancy. No extra charge for all of this at most hotels.

"We intend to become the most dog-friendly hotel company in the land and not just allow dogs to stay, but actually pamper and spoil them," said the Starwood president.

Why are posh hotels like these catering to dog owners? It's because there are a lot of people out there like me who like to take their dogs on trips - 68 million dog owners nationwide.

For years the Motel 6s and Red Roofs have catered to pets, and now the big boys are getting in on the action.

What about cats and other critters? Only the W hotels in the Starwood chain will accept them. I don't have a cat, anyway.

All this puts a whole new meaning of the expression "things have really gone to the dogs."

- Jim Grisso is publisher of the Gaylord Herald Times. You e-mail him at

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