My short blogging hiatus has been due to our annual trek to Florida...and along the way, I've asked myself, "What does "pet friendly" really mean to hoteliers and inn keepers?"  During this trip, I've come to the conclusion that it means, "They have pets, that must mean they are slobs, and do not care if we don't clean their rooms." 

We've had to plan this trip according to "pet-friendly" accomodations due to our two well-behaved pugs, who sleep in their "condos", i.e., they are crate trained.  They tell us when they need to go outside to do their business, they do not bark at any/everything that moves, and we bring their blanket to be spread on the couch/chair/bed to prevent undue shedding. 

Like many empty-nest boomers, we have dogs.  It seems that in the minds of the owners of motels, hotels, and other overnight accomodations, the folks who have pets do not care whether their rooms are actually cleaned.  In our non-smoking room, my young puglet found a cigarette butt that looked as though it had been there at least a month.  Doesn't anyone vacuum the Howard Johnson's in Mobile, Alabama?  Apparently not. 

A marketing clue to the hotel industry:  People!  There is a ton of people out here who travel, who have pets, and who want a NICE and CLEAN place to stay when we are on the road!  If you do not believe it, check out the demographics in the RV sales market!  Pet owners, DEMAND BETTER!