Best New Dr. Dolittle 2002 | Kate Solisti-Mattelon | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best New Dr. Dolittle

Kate Solisti-Mattelon

"Lying at our feet, curled up at the foot of our beds, are beings capable of teaching us everything we are seeking. We have only to learn how to listen," writes Boulderite Kate Solisti-Mattelon in her book Conversations With Dog. Solisti-Mattelon, who has written or co-written several other books, including Conversations With Cat, is an animal communicator who claims to use telepathy to find out what our domesticated companions are thinking. Solisti-Mattelon says she was born with the gift of animal communication; it was not something she tried to acquire. But it is for the rest of us, who may not be as expert in the "generous language" of dogs or the "brutally honest" language of cats, that Solisti-Mattelon writes her books.

Best Place to Pamper Your Pussy

Cat Cradle Cattery

When you leave town, it's only fair that your cat get a little vacation, too. And since you want to be sure your four-legged friend is well cared for, the best place to take him or her is to the Cat Cradle Cattery, a little house tucked away in a wooded area off busy Kipling. A delightful couple who are crazy about cats own the kennel. Two of their own felines wander the place freely, greeting the new arrivals. Rather than cramped cages, all cats are boarded in spacious wooden kennels built by the owner; three levels give the cats ample room to move around. And once a day, the cats are taken out for exercise. The owners provide all food and keep note of which kind your cat prefers. The only thing you'll have to worry about is getting your cat to go home with you when you return. Purrfect.

Best Pet Travel Guide

Doggone

Coloradans love their dogs and like to take them everywhere. Robyn Peters, publisher of Doggone (The Newsletter About Fun Places to Go and Cool Things to Do With Your Dog), understands this. Peters, who bases her business out of Boulder, personally checks out many of the dog-friendly places across the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean with the help of her cocker spaniel, Jenny. And if the newsletters haven't covered an area in this country that a customer wants to travel to, Peters will research states on an individual basis. So get your dog gone: Annual subscriptions to the bi-monthly are $25.

Best Dog Taxi

Canine Cab

Angela Gazzara started her Canine Cab business last August because her busy schedule was often in conflict with her dog's needs: visits to the vet, grooming appointments and, of course, doggie daycare. While her goal was a dog-transportation service for busy pet owners, Gazzara also realized there were many disabled and non-driving pet owners who could benefit from it. An initial visit with pets and and an interview with their owners is required, and because of allergies, Gazzara ferries only dogs. Her other drivers, though, can tote your non-canine friends.

Best Place to Get in Touch With Your Dog's Feelings

A Pet's Paradise

What's Fido thinking, anyway? If you have the slightest interest in figuring that out, A Pet's Paradise offers periodic psychic reading sessions for pets with expert Pattie Koop, who also uses her powers to locate lost pets at no charge. In addition, the new-age pet supply, which carries a large selection of holistic pet foods, supplements and Flower Essences, as well as toys, beds, collars and treats, offers workshops on Tellington Touch -- a technique said to be related to horse whispering that's guaranteed to improve your pet's general health and well-being -- with certified practitioner Rita Anderson.

Best Place to Rest Weary Feet -- and Paws

Loews Denver Hotel

Dog may be man's best friend, but not necessarily yours. If you have vistors bringing along their four-legged companions, put them up at the Loews Denver Hotel. Like the city of Denver, Loews touts itself as "pet friendly" -- and then some. The hotel offers pet room service, with vet-approved food (vegetarian entrees are available for picky pets); special bedding to ensure the animal gets a good night's sleep; a personalized note from hotel management welcoming the critter and listing local vets, groomers and pet stores; pet-walking and -sitting services; and, of course, treats and toys. Loews doesn't discriminate, either: Along with the usual dogs and cats, past guests have included lizards and monkeys.

Best Place to Rent a Dog

Maxfund Animal Shelter

As any canine-conscious apartment hunter knows, finding a landlord who's willing to rent to a dog owner can be a challenge. But even if your cramped Capitol Hill walkup isn't suited for a full-time pooch, your innate need to bond with man's best friend needn't go wholly unsatisfied. Maxfund welcomes enthusiastic animal-loving volunteers who like to spend time with masterless pets. Whether you just want to hang around and play in the Galapago Street shelter or prefer to grab a leash and venture into the wider world of parks and fire hydrants, Maxfund is happy to appoint you as a temporary doggie guardian. Woof!

Best Place to Greet an Animated Cat

Hello Kitty World

She's cute, she's cuddly, she's friendly -- and she's everywhere. Ever since the Japanese toy company Sanrio unveiled Hello Kitty in the '70s, little girls the universe over have been snapping up pens, packs, umbrellas and underwear bearing her image. And although Miss Kitty is now available in major retail outlets, fans will worship Min Min Chinese Restaurant's small shrine to the feline. The selection is exhaustive, so block some time to look around after your meal. Fortune cookie says: If you have a young daughter, or just like Japanese kitsch, Hello Kitty World is in your future.

Best Motorcycle Accessories

Hoodlums Gear

Owning a motorcycle in this state doesn't have to be a two-season experience: Many people ride with pride all year long. But on those brisk February days, it's nice to have something warming your face as you speed along. Hoodlums Gear, manufactured in Colorado, was created for just that purpose. There's the Helmet Hoodlum or the Headless Hoodlum, face masks made of soft, warm fleece and neoprene to keep you toasty. Hoodlums usually come in black, but are available in other colors upon request. Non-cyclists, take note: Hoodlums are great for skiing and snowboarding, too.

Best Place to Rent a Car That Goes 160 MPH

Rent-A-Vette

Sure, they rent 'Vettes -- for $299 a day. They also offer Porsche Boxsters and Mercedes CLK roadsters for the same price. Dodge Vipers and 911s are $100 more; new Ford Thunderbirds are $249 per day; and BMW Z3 convertibles are a bargain at $199. Note: Mileage is limited to 100 miles per day. Call to check on the frequent weekday specials, and always mention BreezeNet (www.bnm.com) for a 10 percent discount, which is, conveniently, about the same price as full-coverage insurance. Go ahead and get the insurance, then snatch up the keys, lean over the rental counter, and with a frenzied look in your eyes, exclaim, "I feel the need, the need for speed !" They like that.

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