The Fairmont Hotels has started a new program to appeal to animal lovers that involves having Lobby Dogs stationed in more than 60 of their upscale properties. These are "working dogs" who's primary job is to "Just sit around and be cute." "We're a pet-friendly hotel and people are delighted to walk through our doors and see a dog just roaming around the lobby," said spokeswoman Julie Abramovic.
One of the dogs, Edie in Pittsburgh, is a shelter dog that was found malnourished and wandering the streets. Edie was trained and rehabilitated as part of a prison dog program where she was trained by inmates who work to socialize once-neglected dogs.
In addition to acknowledgment that pets are a growing part of people's lives, and promoting themselves as a pet-friendly hotel, at least in this case, the Fairmont is also promoting adoption and prison dog programs. It is not uncommon for Bed and Breakfasts to have their own resident dogs, but it is rare that I see it in a commercial hotel setting.
I love the idea, and it sounds like Edie has quite the life - -and it sounds like a place I'd love to stay.
Photo Credit: Kaitlin Bledsoe Photography via MSNBC
Definitely love the fact that these are rescues (all of them?) and this particular dog came from a prison dog program. Those are awesome.
Posted by: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell | September 21, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I, too, love this idea. There's a wonderful documentary about prisoners working with wild mustangs. It was a happy tear jerker and is a testament to what animals can do for even the most hardened of criminals. I know dogs bring smiles to my face when I encounter them away from home, especially if I am traveling without my own.
Posted by: Jennifer Brighton | September 21, 2011 at 06:06 PM
That's so cool. The Kimpton hotels are very dog friendly. We stayed at the Madera one New Year's Eve and I was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of pugs at happy hour. And if you've been following the Travels of Roo and Hector you know they've stayed at some very nice places and even been served at a table in the lobby.
Posted by: Dianne R. | September 22, 2011 at 12:04 PM