Dogs! Last Thursday the S.F. Chronicle featured a story called, “See Spot Relax: Pet Massage Trend Grows.” I never knew the dog masseuse profession existed, but I must say I fully support it. Apparently there are pet owners out there who use the service on a regular basis. Dog massage is seen as “more than just glorified petting,” but as a way to improve a dog’s quality of life. A weekly professional massage certainly would improve my quality of life.
Shelah Barr of Happy Hounds Massage says “she is guided by what the dog desires, which sometimes means the pet chews on a bone the whole time.” I can understand that. A chew and a massage are like a double stress reliever for us canines. And Grace Granatelli, a dog masseuse in Arizona, even plays new-age spa music to help relax the dogs. Sign me up!
Unfortunately, it’s not all paradise in the dog massage world. Granatelli and two other animal massage practitioners have received cease-and-desist letters from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. Just thinking about it makes me tense. I really need a massage.