Hershey's Kiss: Our Precious Puppy signs up for a Spa Adventure

                 In the California beach communities, individuals skate, blade, jog, and walk, all in the company of their dogs of various breeds. Shop owners have become quite accommodating to these pooches and their owners, as everyone is out for the highest dollar.  All the rage are the doggie hitching-posts in front of the shops, with bowls of fresh water awaiting the lapping parched tongue of Fido who obediently keeps pace with John and Marsha. 

Related to me in the same story was an aside about a little lost pooch.  The sign on the shop window along with notation on size, coloring, breed, name and ID tag and chip statement, “Last seen wearing a black and white polka-dot dress with pearls and white hair bows.” (The dog pictured to the left is NOT Hershey.)
                        I’m not far removed from such, for Hershey does have a roll-collar red and white sweater, a pink and green sweater, and a lined winter coat with hood.  She does not have boots, nor do I dress her, except occasionally for Christmas or Razorback ballgames! 

Arkansas summers are just too hot and she prances around in her summer haircut, knowing how “darling” she looks, especially with the pink bows.  Her collar is pink & white polka-dot. Along with her rabies tag, she has an ID tag, a “diamond” heart charm and a pink purse charm.  She is every bit the lady.
                       So, when Marvin and I travel this time– Hershey will go to the Spa.  Ok, Ok…I know that may be a bit over the top. Pam, David, Colby, and sweet neighbor girls have been wonderful about short-term Hershey-sitting, but this time, the trip will call for more.  Dear Hershey is an old girl (older than me, older than Cher!) and has developed cataracts, has fewer teeth than she started with, and is slightly deaf.  Though she does not play very much anymore, she craves human companionship and baby-talk.  She would not do well in a cage.
                               All Paws Pet Resort will be her Spa Escape for a few days.  She’ll be in the Puppy Area and she’ll have private accommodations where her own bed, bowls, blankies, and food will be set up just for her.  The owners play with the puppies and other dogs.  No big dogs are with the tiny ones (such as 8lb. Hershey). The doggies have inside play time, outside time, quiet time, food time, etc. I don’t think she’ll get a manicure or pedicure, but she might enjoy a shampoo before coming home.
                                  Theresa, one of the owners, told me that she often gets one of the smaller dogs and lets it stay with her in the office.  Hershey loves to put her paw on the computer and sits in my lap when I read the morning paper, so Theresa will have a willing companion.

                                Boarding services are available at veterinary clinics and grooming spots, but we don’t have the Pet Smart Hotel facility, as in Memphis.  The Travel With Us group recommended All Paws Resort, so, here’s hoping that Hershey will enjoy her Spa Adventure as much as her Mama enjoys hers.