New York - While New Yorkers have a reputation for being a bit gruff with each other, their hearts melt for dogs.
'When I walk my dogs I get to know more people than at any other time,' said Carrie Kile, a 26-year-old computer expert, as she headed into the urban jungle toward Central Park with her five-year-old Dalmation Charly and her six-year-old mixed breed Jubilee.
'People are so friendly. A lot of them talk to me.'
There are an estimated 500,000 dogs in New York City, according to health authorities. And they are not just small lap dogs, Pekinese or dwarf poodles that go along shopping freshly combed and tucked into a hand bag. All types of large dogs, from Doberman Pinschers to Saint Bernhards live in the smallest of apartments and leased rooms. Some dog owners even take their winter clothes to storage units outside the city to make room for their pets in the warm months.
'A dog gives you the feeling of being needed,' said animal expert Dale Van Pamelen, 49. 'Also many young couples don't have children. A dog is almost a starter child to find out whether you get along together.'
Ten years ago, Van Pamelen saw there was no market serving dog owners in need of help in raising their pets. This is often the case when both are professionally employed or when a couple has three jobs between the two of them. His Dog Spa & Hotel is perfectly suited for them and their animals.
Dogs can go to daycare just like children at Van Pamelen's facility. Depending on size and temperament, the dogs are separated into play groups and spend the day with each other under the supervision of qualified assistants. The hotel is busiest during the summer vacation period. Stays last as short as a half a day to as long as a half a year.
Every animal gets its own private running space and cage to sleep and eat in, and it may bring along its own bed, blanket and toys. It also is taken on a walk once a day. A veterinarian and several assistants and dog trainers are always on duty. The price ranges from 60 to 66 dollars a day depending on the weight of the dog. There's a discount for 'siblings.'
There are eight or 10 such hotels in Manhattan, but the need is much greater, sad Van Pamelen, who call it a big business in the city. This hotel's approximate 100 places currently are booked out two months in advance.
'Dogs need to be taken care for,' said Van Pamelen, who places a lot of value on the educational level of his 45 employees. 'They are like children, children that don't grow up.'
New York City dog owners who prefer to leave their dogs at home while they are away can hire a dog walker. People who make a living taking other people's dogs on walks through Central Park, often in groups of six or more at the same time, are not found just in the movies. They actually are available on every other block in Manhattan. The latest trend is long distance dog runners who promise more fitness by taking dogs on extra long runs.
Michael Beal, 28, a graphic designer from Bolivia, has a set of fixed clients - 25 to 30 dogs he walks every day in groups of dogs that get along well together.
'It's crazy. Onee barks at dogs, the other one barks at people. One of them is alway barking,' Beal said as he tried to calm the dogs down. He earns as much as 30 dollars an hour per dog - enough to live on in New York City.
When dog owners themselves have time to spend with their pets, there are many places offering amusement in the city. Brooklyn has a dog beach, for example, and there are dog parks where unlike other parks leashes are not requirement. Dog-friendly cocktail parties are another gathering point for dogs and their owners. Their location is posted at the website leashesandlovers.com.
Biscuit and Bath is another New York City locale where dogs are well looked after. At four locations, the operation offers a wide range of dog care and grooming as well as play groups for puppies, birthday, Halloween and carnival parties and even dog weddings. Biscuit and Bath urges dog owners to 'make it forever' when their pets find 'that one and only wet nose.'
In New York City's trendy East Village a yoga studio offers 'doga,' a half hour of relaxation for dog owner and dog for 15 dollars.
And just so New York City residents who don't have dogs aren't given a reason to complain about them, there is a law saying owners must clean up after them, making doggy poo on the side walk absolutely taboo. Dog owners who don't comply face a penalty of 100 dollars.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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