Hounds Indulge at Haute Couture Boutique

As the lives of Americans become more hectic, demand more time at work and less time at home with family, our loved ones often become second fiddle. But what if your loved one is a dog or a cat that depends on you to give him or her the love and daily attention they need? Look no further for the ultimate in creature comforts for your best friend. Even the pickiest of paws will be pampered at the posh Salon Poochini in Bay Harbor Islands, FL. This cage-free doggie daycare, hotel, and spa dotes on its pooches to ensure their every need is satisfied while away from home.

Most of the pets who come here fall into one of two categories: 1.) They have owners who work very long hours and don't have the time to give their pawed-pals proper attention and mid-afternoon walks Monday through Friday, or 2.) They don't stay at Poochini on a daily basis, but it provides a home away form home while owners are on vacation. One may even think that this mecca of canine indulgence provides more piece of mind for the owners than for their furry friends left behind. In fact, mommies and daddies dropping off seem more emotional than the "kid" they are leaving behind. And why not? This hotel and day care comes equipped with private rooms decorated with plush bedding, sofas and plasma TV's for viewing pleasure-- Animal Planet is the show of choice.

It seems the pets are quite content to spend their time in the fully-outfitted Poochini. On the day of my visit, I found a beautiful Goldendoodle (mix of Golden Retriever and Poodle) on her way out for a stroll, a tiny white Maltese (and regular customer) sitting on the lap of a Poochini worker, and Affen Pincher with a prominent under bite sprawled out on a paisley print sofa, giving me only a brief, nonchalant, over-the-shoulder- glance, as if to suggest I was disrupting his watching "Breed All About It," on the flat screen in his room. Plus, each suite comes equipped with musical sounds to soothe the hounds. The facility offers everything from Mozart to Bach to Sinatra.