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Finally! A Spa for Spot and Fluffy!

by Karen Hatter | June 13, 2007 at 07:38 pm

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Japan has a burgeoning population of pet owners that want to help their pets stay happy and healthy as they enter their golden years. To achieve this, pet spas and facilities catering to the well being of dogs and cats are becoming the place to take your pet to help him or her keep or regain that pep in her or his step.

Among the services being sought for many of these pampered pets? Acupuncture, aroma and massage therapy, personal trainers, specially prepared homemade meals of meat and vegetables and of course, a good steam in the spa.

Oh, what a wonderful life!

mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/features/archive/news/2006/12/20061226p2g00m0fe034000c.html

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Jordan Yerman

at 19:42 on June 13th, 2007

I remember seeing such spas in NYC, too, along with pet taxis to collect and drop off the four-legged spa clients. As a starving artist, I often lamented how better treated by the city the dogs were than me... boo hoo.
Vancouver has similar establishments, including a place that specializes in dog field trips! I've never seen pet acupuncture before... I'd be reticent to approach a German Shepherd with a bunch of needles.

Karen Hatter

at 19:53 on June 13th, 2007

Awww! You guys have doggie field trips! What's the difference between a field trip and just going for a walk? I have decided the acupuncturists must be very brave! Giving my cat a pill was like an episode out of Wild Kingdom!

Kaitlin

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:44 on June 14th, 2007

Karen Hatter, thanks for this. Where I grew up, the notion of a "pet spa" consists of a plastic kiddie pool in the backyard for Baxter (my mom's gargantuan bulldog) to flop down in when it gets too hot, and a pair of scissors for cutting out burrs acquired in romps through the bush.

Ridiculousness, if you ask me.

Do you think these pets even know they're being pampered?

Karen Hatter

at 10:11 on June 14th, 2007

You're welcome, Kaitlin! Or in lieu of the kiddie pool? The garden hose! Yeah, some of the pampering ideas seemed a little over the top. Although, I wouldn't under estimate the pets missing some forms of special treatment. Pertaining to the gourmet palate issue, my cat, Shadow, was accustomed to a 'more expensive' brand of cat food. When I made the mistake of purchasing some of the cheaper stuff on sale, I'd swear Shadow glared at me in disgust! As he sat glowering at his bowl, he batted at me as I walked by! We had a battle of wills for a few days, with him going to his bowl, sniffing and turning away. I didn't make that mistake again!