Dogs haven't quite become man's best friend in China, but at least man will stop being dogs' worst enemy for a time:
Canine cuisine is being sent to the doghouse during next month's Beijing Olympic Games.
Dog meat has been struck from the menus of officially designated Olympic restaurants, and Beijing tourism officials are telling other outlets to discourage consumers from ordering dishes made from dogs, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.
But the poooches aren't gaining any ground in the Muslim world:
POLICE sniffer dogs could be forced to wear bootees when searching the homes of Muslims to avoid causing offence, it emerged last night.
But a leading British imam says the move is unnecessary and has accused police of failing to carry out proper research into the issue.
According to the imam, Islamic law doesn't regard the dog as impure, only its saliva. So, I gues, masks but no booties.
To find out where dogs are really treasured, we need go no farther than Indiana's own Carmel:
If all dogs go to heaven, Carmel must be it.
They get treated with blueberry facials, all-natural meals and bubblegum pedicures instead of chew toys and mass-produced dog chow.
Carmel has more pet groomers and salons per capita than Indianapolis, according to local phone listings, and pet owners say Carmel groomers are always booked.
[. . .]
At Paws N Claws, pooches can get bubble gum pedicures or a deep moisturizing shampoo with a warm towel wrap. The groomers will spritz some dog cologne as a final touch, like Liz Claybone for the girls. Some of the dogs relax in a whirlpool tub.
