I won’t be traveling to Denmark anytime soon. The Danish Prime Minister has proposed a new law to ban aggressive breeds of dog, similar to the law in Ontario. But reminiscent of Nazi Germany, Flemming Moller, a veterinarian who is also a member of parliament took it one step further: kill all mongrels! He claims this is the only way to eliminate aggressive traits from the doggy gene pool. According to Herr Moller, only dogs registered in the national stud book have a record of their parentage and genetic traits. “Other puppies could be the products of anything from joyful encounters in leafy suburbs to deliberate breeding by thugs,” he said.

About 40,000 mongrels are born in Denmark every year. “We will surely see lots of press photos of sweet little puppies being put down but we must be determined,” he went on, unflinchingly. There is good news: Moller’s idea hasn’t much support by the Danes. In fact one politician said he would “reach for my shotgun” if Moller knocked on his door. I guess the tourism industry isn’t supportive either. Boycott Denmark!

Possibly not to lose any more customers and taking a tip from Pet Airways, Air Canada has reversed its 2006 policy where pets were only allowed to fly via the luggage hold. Now, cats and dogs weighing up to 10 kgs are allowed under seats as a carry-on item. But if the Lung Association and some disgruntled people with allergies have their way, that decision may be short-lived.

 Pet lovers may be pitted against the asthmatic and/or allergic. The Lung Association has already launched a campaign to get Air Canada and WestJet to review their policies. Maybe pet lovers should start a petition. Waddya think?

Pet Airways is scheduled to start service for dogs and cats July 14, 2009 at several airports in the US. The airline says the animals will be individually loaded by pet attendants and placed in secure kennels. As well, attendants will accompany pets on the flights: owners are required to drop off their furry friends up to 72 hours before flight time or leave them overnight at the arrival city, at the airline’s Paws Lodges. Introductory fares are $149 each way between destinations, which is a good deal considering other airlines that cater to humans charge from $200 to $300 for pet in-cabin fares. Pet Airways, hope you take off and please come to Canada!

By Jane Mundy

“I know about pet-friendly hotels but this is crazy,” I overheard a woman say to the front desk clerk as she checked in at the Pacific Palisades Hotel in downtown Vancouver. She was taken aback to see upwards of 100 dogs roaming the reception area while their human companions casually sipped their wine.

The mystified woman was quickly enlightened — February 28 was the date of the “doggy dinner party,” a fundraiser for the Senior Animals in Need Today Society (SAINTS). Moments after meeting in the hotel lobby, the canines and their two-footed buddies were ushered into the hotel’s Mambo ballroom so they could happily chow down together.

Thankfully, there were no food fights. “It’s expected that owners should be responsible enough to know their dog’s temperament,” said hotel organizer Lydia Miller. The only rule was that the dogs stay leashed. And every one of them, from usually bouncy bulldogs to my own Jack Russell Terrors, was on his or her best behaviour.

Tables were set for our three-course meal and mats were placed on the floor for the two-course doggie dinner (although the carpeted floor acted as one big serving platter). Hotel chef Karen Gin’s canine menu was meatloaf with mashed potatoes and for dessert, banana cake with peanut butter frosting. Several of the pickier, more spoiled eaters, like my own elderly male, Spike — were handed chicken tidbits from the tables.

One guest, Sandy, attended with her companion Nicole, one of SAINTS’ volunteers. Sandy was originally taken into a vet’s clinic to be euthanized due to severe separation anxiety. “Sandy came to us about three years ago with a lot of meds to control her anxiety,” said Hine. “Since then she is off all her meds and is a normal, happy and relaxed 13-year-old Chihuahua-lab cross.

The night was a huge success, according to Carol Hine, principal operator of SAINTS. . “Everyone loved that their pets can be taken to a dining experience as family members and there aren’t that many places where you can take your furry family member,” she said.

Not only was it a fun night out; it increased awareness for SAINTS and the work they do, caring for senior dogs and special needs animals.

The event was planned to honour the memory of Hanna, an elderly yellow lab who finished her days working at the hotel as official greeter. “Hanna was a really special case because she came from a very busy, overrun shelter,” said Hine. “She was old and nobody wanted her. She was only with us (at SAINTS) a month when the Pacific Palisades contacted us.”

Hanna was a shoe-in for the job. She got to hang out with Nelly Furtado and other celebrity guests and when she passed away, the hotel had to bring in grief counselors for the hotel staff.

Some might say the Pacific Palisades is over-the-top pet friendly—its guests have included penguins, monkeys, cats and birds. “The monkey was a pet of an actress and the eight penguins were here from Edmonton for a commercial— they occupied two guest rooms which turned into a stinky mess, especially at meal times with their crates of frozen fish and room service,” said Miller.

Was the Mambo ballroom a disaster area the next day? Miller reported that the hotel suffered few casualties; the servers (seemingly) enjoyed themselves even though getting everyone’s meals to their tables was like jumping and juggling through an obstacle course. “The carpets didn’t suffer damage; we just had them shampooed for health reasons,” said Miller. “And we’ve already had many emails from guests hoping it will be the first of an annual event.

Photographs courtesy Shelley Moore for SAINTS