Vacations Blog

Just when you think its time to play and create havoc while your master or mistress is off enjoying the Hawaiian beaches, along comes a party pooper – the Petcare Robot.

Petcare Robot

The Mint Robot #2: The Petcare Robot is the latest in bleeding edge technology for remote pet surveillance and interaction. Unfortunately, it looks like a wacky reject dumped by the special-effects team of a Steven Speilberg film.

But I suppose that’s what makes it so interesting to goofy cats and dogs who can smell conspiracy and alien intruders even in a chewy toy.

Not only can you monitor your pets remotely, you can also scare the living daylights out of them by bringing the Petcare Robot to life. Well, see, that’s why it’s called a robot.

The robot can be set to track your pet, and it will roll around behind your pet, following it everywhere and driving your pet batty. You can enjoy the show remotely as your pet goes nuts trying to shake off the persistent stalker.

It even has infra-red LEDs, so you can keep tabs even in the dark. And even worse, those weird-looking googly eyed camera lenses – they can detect if a pet tries to lick or scratch, and they’ll clam shut automatically.

That ball you see at the bottom can be moved around remotely, and you can send it rolling and talk to your pet through the Robot’s remote control  – play recorded sounds, music or your own voice commands.

If the Petcare Robot catches on, you’ll soon be sitting on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii playing with your pet back home, instead of enjoying the oceanview. Please don’t buy this thing and spoil your pet’s one and only chance to enjoy some downtime away from you.

Photo credit - Mintpass

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

In spite of the desperate pleas of my ten-year-old, we are not (yet) a dog family.  So it goes without saying that we haven’t had any occasion to find accommodations for man’s best friend while traveling, although I have plenty of friends who wouldn’t think of leaving home without Fido or Mr. Pugs.  I dedicate this post about finding pet-friendly lodging in Los Angeles to them.  Mostly out of admiration for their loyalty to their four-legged friends, but also in hopes that I’ll never have to hear the words, “Oops! Sorry about your couch.”

The first one that caught my eye is the Loews Hotel chain, because I read that they offer room service for pets.  I imagined a rawhide bone and a bowl of Alpo being delivered on a silver tray, and it doesn’t look like I was too far off the mark.  Here’s what their website says:

All pets receive their own gifts including a pet tag, bowl and a special treat to start their vacation. Owners receive a detailed brochure with information on hotel pet services — such as our Loews Loves Pets room service menu, local dog walking routes, and area pet services.

I’m curious as to what the “treat to start their vacation” might be, since the last time I checked most pets were always on vacation.

The Sofitel Hotel is also pet friendly, although their description is careful to say, “Pet Allowed” as in singular, not plural.  In other words, don’t show up with your sled and your 16 dogs on the way to the Iditarod.

If your pet is a hip scenester and likes to party like a rock star, then you’ll want to take him/her to the W Hotel in Westwood. How’s this for swank?  Their pet info page lists the following amenities:

• Custom W pet bed
• Food & water bowl with floor mat
• Pet-in-room door sign
• Special treat at Turndown

(Special treat at turndown?  Would that be a piece of mint-flavored kibble?)

I’ve seen celebrities there of the two-legged variety at the W, but I’ll bet your tabby would find some movie star feline to rub elbows with.  Your scratching post or mine?

You may bring Spot to the Four Points Sheraton Westside, but only if he’s been watching his little doggie waistline; they only allow pets up to 50 pounds.  Also, guests with pets are only allowed on the first level. So if you were hoping to slim down his paunch with some stair climbing, you’re out of luck.  Better stick to dogercise in your room, or better yet switch to Purina Lite a few days before your trip.

The Residence Inn in Burbank allows pets, and it appears most in the chain do as well. However, they do require a $100 non-refundable sanitation fee, which seems pretty steep; most hotels I’ve seen charge an average of $25 to $30 per night.  I guess the Residence Inn fee is only a bargain if you’re staying a few nights.  Otherwise it’ll cost you a paw and a leg. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Photo: Stock.Xchng.com