By Jan Butsch
Editor

    From massages to stays in country cottages, taking hay rides or attending "Yappy Hour" on Fridays, a dog can really live the high life in this town. There are several businesses around Atlanta that make it clear that it's not such a bad place for dogs.
     When you say "It's a dog's life," well, we should all be so lucky.

Until someone invents the doggie outhouse for the truly pampered pooch, there's a new company striving to be number one in the number two business. Dirty Work, a dog waste removal service will clean up your yard, maintaining a pristine environment for Cheddar to do her business in next time.

     With luscious-looking treats, and a prime location on West Paces Ferry Road, you may walk into Three Dog Bakery expecting to take home a few desserts to serve at a fancy dinner party. Not unless all your guests have four legs and a wet nose. All those baked goodies beautifully displayed in glass cases are for dogs only. From Dottie's Spots to Big Scary Kitties to Boxer brownies, dogs of every taste can find a favorite. And if your pooch is getting a little portly, try the Ciao Wow pizzas. They're made with non-fat parmesan cheese.
     If Trixie's birthday is coming up, invite her friends to a party held in the back of the bakery. You can select from three different sized cakes, depending on how many pooch pals she invites. They are baked on the premises and topped with yogurt icing, with your choice of a message. 
     After a long week of work, spend a little time bonding with Spencer at Yappy Hour at the bakery. The humans can enjoy socializing over a glass of wine while the pups sniff out the selection of treats.
     One recent special event at Three Dog Bakery was Doggie Gras, a celebration with dog/owner look-alike contests and a costume contest. It was a definite two tails-up event. Hop on down with your Easter basket to see The Easter Bunny, who will be making a special appearance Mar. 28 and April 3. 
     Speaking of costumes, if your pet is in need of a little wardrobe rehabilitation, head to The Pet Set on Briarcliff Road for a large selection of canine couture. Choose from fleece, dresses, coats and rain clothes, perfect to lift Dixie's mood for those walks on dreary days. Not quite sure of the size? Measure your pup from shoulder blades to tail and that flowered dress should fit just fine.
     If you still need that perfect accessory for those special occasions, check out the pearl necklaces at Jules Jewels. 
     When they are looking that good, you just have to capture it on film. How about a glamour shot pet portrait of Sake? PetStar shoots dog portraits at various locations around town. You can pick the props, and they shoot the portraits.
     For a more elegant addition to your art collection, have your dog's portrait painted. Pastel or oil, it's sure to become a family treasure. You can select from several artists yourself, or call art broker Karen Hudson, who specializes in finding the perfect artist to match the needs of you and your beloved Bongo.
     And for those times when you go out of town and have to leave Argus behind, she can have a great vacation herself. Book her into the Caribbean suite at Cloud 9 Pet Resort in Ellenwood. For prices starting at $65 a night, she can enjoy her own private suite, complete with movies on TV, a fireplace and bookshelves and visits from a personal companion.
     Or she may prefer one of the poolside country cottages, available for $75 a night. Argus is sure to relax and forget the stress of city life as she enjoys other activities such as massages, hay rides and dips in the bone-shaped pool.
     It's still in the rumor phase, but we're hot on the tail of a story about one local radio station that's starting a 24-hour broadcast with a frequency only dogs could hear. That way, when owners are at work, Motley can be entertained. And when they're home, the owners can watch TV, entertain guests or be reading neighborhood newspapers without distraction. We hear the call letters WAGG have already been reserved. 

Pet Set - 2480 Briarcliff Road, 404-633-8755
Cloud 9 Pet Resort, 770-981-9512
Dirty Work, 404-876-9333
Jules Jewels, 404-261-5510, 404-875-3047
PetStar 770-242-4700
Three Dog Bakery, 404-261-6833
Pet Portraits:
    Mary Clare Bromley: 770-493-8759
    Mitzi Rothman: 404-872-0582
    Karen Hudson: 404-365-8080