Photo:
API/Porchai Kittiwonsakul

Bangkok
pooches soak up luxury treatments...
at a spa just for dogs. While traditional herbal treatments
have long been popular with Thais and tourists visiting the kingdom,
man's best friend can now enjoy them at a canines-only resort in
the Thai capital. The herbs help to make the dogs unwind —
even fierce dogs are able to relax here," says veteran dog
trainer Jare Jansrisuriyawong who conceived the "Indoor Thai
Dog Resort and Spa". After a few lazy laps in the resort pool,
the typical customer may take in a massage in the traditional-style
pavilion, or bathe in a Balinese wooden tub infused with a mixture
of fresh coconut and aromatherapy oils. Next up for the pampered
pup is the application of cold river stones along the back —
a Chinese technique designed to treat heart and skin problems and
ease tension. A hot-sand treatment, using compresses applied directly
to the skin by therapists who carefully part the fur of shaggier
clients, is reputed to ease the aches and pains of older dogs who
have trouble walking. The therapies obviously have a soothing effect,
as the assortment of dogs on the treatment tables snooze or lie
peacefully, and there's not a hint of yapping, snarling or sniffing. ~AFP