"Our guests are interested in the high-end, and are really enthusiastic about bringing their pets," says Grove Isle spokeswoman Rebecca Kollaras. "One brought a little froufrou dog every two months from the time it was a three-month-old puppy until it was a year old."

But don't forget the felines. Miss Thing, a cuddly 17-pound cat, slept in Super 8 motels with her owner from Boston to California. "Every single front-desk clerk cooed over her and wanted to come visit her in my room," says Fanny Whitestone, a San Francisco-based writer.

Still, pet policies vary widely. Dogs are favored - generally small ones, 20 to 25 pounds or less - but sometimes cats (and an occasional bird) are permitted. Fees generally range from free to $25 per night per pet. Some lodgings allow only certain breeds, or request a hefty deposit that's nonrefundable if the pet damages the room. At some hotels, pets can't be left alone in guest rooms unless they're crated or confined in a bathroom, and are off-limits in public areas like lobbies, restaurants, and lounges.

But it's those places that welcome animals with open arms that keep pet owners coming back. Consider Antoinetta D'Addio, a New York public relations executive, who took Lucy, her black Shih Tzu, on a recent Rome to New York flight. Says D'Addio, "I couldn't bear leaving her with someone else." And luckily, she doesn't have to.

McDonnell is the author of five nonfiction books, and has written for The New York Times and Specialty Travel Index among others.
BARK-WORTHY BOOKS
On the Road Again with Man's Best Friend (Dawbert Press).
Detailed descriptions of U.S. hotels, inns, resorts, and B&Bs that accept pets. Regional editions available.

Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA Petbook (AAA Publishing)