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Published on 08/04/1999 All articles from this issue

Los Altos goes to the dogs

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By Carolyn Barnes

Special to the Town Crier

Pooches pampered on First Street; cats can't complain, either

"Just" a dog or cherished family member?

When it comes to treating dogs as members of the family, clearly Los Altos leads the pack. Dr. Glynn Echerd, owner Kindness Pet Hospital, recalled growing up in rural Texas:

"Introducing these treatments in Los Altos was not as cold turkey as I thought it would be. People here were already familiar with the concepts," Skiwski said. "These are treatments most clients only consider as a last resort for their pet, though, whereas they are most appropriate when used for long-term prevention of problems or for chronic problems."

The high quality of local veterinary care, combined with conscientious owners, has led to a higher geriatric pet population here. All local vets commented on the longevity of their patients.

Dr. Sarah Grier, who just started practicing at Miramonte Veterinary Hospital in the Blossom Valley Shopping Center, noticed this phenomenon immediately. "People here tend to take things farther for their pets than other places," she said.

Whe "I drop off Spencer and my 15-month-old son every day and they both get to play," said Ostendorf's daughter, Alysia Deleeuw, a fourth-grade teacher at Oak School.

Linda Arens, owner of Beaugay's Pet Grooming on First Street, provides limited day care for special clients, but refers most requests to Ann's Plants and Pets, a local, in-home pet-care service.

"One client is currently looking for a nanny just for the dogs," Arens said. She also sees an increase in ex-spouses sharing custody of dogs. "The two people will divide custody of the dog, season by season or on a month-by-month basis, just like a human 'mother' and 'father' situation," ow to feed them and take care of them. The pets give back so much more than you give them."

Will work for dog food

"When I die, I want to come back as a Los Altos dog," a local wag recently said.

That's because a dog's life in Los Altos is nothing to sniff at. On First Street alone, there are 18 veterinarians (16 at Adobe Animal Hospital) and two grooming shops.

"We have dogs that arrive in taxi cabs and dogs where one owner rides in the back seat with an arm around the dog, while the other owner sits up front and drives," said Miriam Ortiz, owner of The Barking Lot grooming service on First Street. Ortiz also has clients who bring in dog cookies to celebrate canine birthdays. One customer drives twice a month from Carmel to Los Altos to get her own hair done and her dog groomed.

"And lots of dogs arrive with lipstick on their heads, where 'mommy' has kissed them goodbye," Ortiz said.

"When you think about it, the relationship between dogs and man is amazing," said Dr. Brent Walker, owner of Altos Animal Hospital on First Street.

"Waiting at a red light the other day, I saw a dog in the back seat of an air-conditioned Mercedes, looking as happy as the driver. Early men and their dogs were hunters together, sitting around the open fire; now dogs come along with us, still sharing our style of life."

Some Los Altos dogs earn their biscuits the old-fashioned way - they work. Ortiz and partner Alan Svozil at The Barking Lot groom Guide Dogs for the Blind; dogs for the hearing-impaired; and dogs which participate in Pet Assisted Therapy Services, a volunteer organization which trains and sends dogs and their owners to local hospitals and convalescent homes.

"We treat these dogs differently than dogs who don't work," Ortiz said. "They have to get back to their jobs in a hurry."

Once a month, Ziggy, a six-year-old golden retriever, accompanies owner Leigh Tate of Los Altos to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Patients, their families, and even physicians enjoy petting and playing with friendly canines, felines and rabbits.

"Ziggy loves his work. As soon as we drive into the hospital parking lot, he gets all excited," Tate said.

Volunteers are needed on teams to visit several nearby facilities. For information about Pet Assisted Therapy, call (408) 280-6171 or visit their Web site at www.furryfriends.org. Carolyn Barnes can be reached at www.barnescr@hotmail.