Guest Author - Michelle Snow

If you own pets, you know one of the worst things about planning a trip is deciding what to do with your four-legged friends while gone. Do you leave them at the kennel? Have a friend look in on them at home? Forget all that--Loews Hotels says take them with you.

Since 2000, many VIP's [Very Important Pets] have accompanied their owners staying at Loews Hotels through the chain's "Loews Loves Pets" program. The program's special treatment and privileges are offered at all of the chain’s 19 properties in the U.S. and Canada.

“More and more people see their pets as members of the family and want to bring them along when they travel,” says Charlotte St. Martin, executive vice president for marketing for Loews Hotels. “Having accepted pets for years, Loews Hotels has been at the forefront of the pet travel trend, and the Loews Loves Pets program allows us to formalize that welcome.”

Through the “Loews Loves Pets” program, each pet is welcomed with a personal note from the hotel’s general manager, which includes a listing of pet services available at the hotel. In the guestroom is a special amenity pack that includes special pet place mats with food and water bowls, toys and treats, and a “Do Not Disturb” sign that lets housekeeping know a pet is in the room.

Pets also dine in style with a special room service menu, developed and approved by a licensed veterinarian, which usually includes items such as roasted salmon and tuna delight for cats and bow wow burgers, chicken and rice and grilled filet for dogs. Health conscious pet owners will be pleased to note vegetarian entrées are available at most properties.

The concierge desks at the hotels can arrange pet walking and pet sitting services, as needed, while the "Did You Forget ?" Closet includes many pet necessities, such as dog and cat beds, leashes, collars, pet toys and videos, litter boxes, and even pooper-scoopers.

Not to worry while you're away from the room, either, since for the duration of their stay, pet owners are given a pager that enables the hotel staff to contact them immediately in case of emergency.

Loews has also established standard cleaning procedures with specially-filtered vacuums to remove any pet allergens from the room.

So instead of getting that "why are you leaving me?" face, you can share the joys of traveling in style with your four-legged friend.

Just don't blame Loews if they act like a diva when they get home.