WHAT responsible pet owner would dare leave a cat, dog, or bird alone in the house while the family goes off on vacation? Every true-blue animal lover knows that animals, especially dogs, need attention and get lonely when their human companions are away for long. And then, of course, there?s the question of food and water: who takes care of that while you?re away?

Easily the most practical solution would be to take your pet along. That is, if the flight and hotel you?ve booked would allow it. Such acceptance has long been a problem with pet lovers. Condo unit buyers or lessees who keep pets have expressed shock that often the only animals allowed in the building are fish. Well, don?t be surprised if one of these days, one of them decides to cart home a shark, a barracuda, or even a whale shark, just to show up those rules!

Fortunately, more and more restaurants, hotels, and resorts have come to accept that animals are part of some households too, and have adjusted their house rules correspondingly. Pet-owners are a growing demographic that cannot and should not be dismissed lest they take their business elsewhere. With summer and El Niño seeing entire families rushing off to the beach and other holiday destinations, expect more pets to tag along as well.

But just where can you take them? Where are these pet-friendly hotspots?

For a start, there?s Bonifacio High Street in Taguig and the Eastwood Park in Libis for those cool weekend strolls. Then there?s the Hibiscus Garden Inn in Puerto Princesa, Palawan where dog-lovers and journalists Che-che Moral and Anne Jambora found a pet haven they couldn?t get in Boracay for their pugs Missy and Spike.

Although there are no specific guidelines yet on pets, as Missy turned out to be the first pet guest of the hotel, Che-che shares that her pug enjoyed the small private garden attached to every room, as well as the hammock just outside the door and in the common yard. ?The place was always clean, too,? Che-che adds.

Bringfido (www.bringfido.com) lists dog-friendly cities in the Philippines, and SIM assumes that cats would be welcome too. The list includes Manila, where the bulk of pet lovers live, as well as Cebu, Coron, and Batangas. ?