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Doggone Touchie-Feelie Available At Airports


According to Associated Press, several airports have come up with a novel way to help passengers. It involves a pilot program offering friendly dogs trained to snuggle and soothe people as the nervous humans wait for flights and try to endure other airport inconveniences that seem to get more stressful every day.

The service is called PUP: Pets Unstressing Passengers. On leashes held by trained volunteers, and wearing jackets identifying their tasks, the dogs wander through the passenger areas offering friendly paws, bellies and noses to pat.

The dogs are particularly popular with kids, who are often frightened, confused and impatient when being forced to wait for hours in busy, noisy airports. A friendly dog's gentle eyes, muzzle and wagging tail are perfect solutions to calming them down.

So far, PUP is available at airports in San Jose, Los Angeles and Miami, with more expected to offer the doggone good services soon. Considering the growing tensions in just about every airport from flight delays, security lines, ever increasing fare prices and other stresses, the friendly canines are welcome presences.  

Editorial opinion: We like dogs very much, but as cat lovers, we feel they are just as qualified to be airport therapists, and should also be enlisted to provide the same soothing services. We’d call them FRIENDS: Felines Really Into Easing Numbingly Disturbing Situations.
Senior Skinny Dip: 4 Nude U.S. Vacation Spots PDF Print E-mail


The 2012 movie, “Wanderlust”, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Paul Rudd, may have stirred up renewed interest in nudism. The story is about a couple fed up with the cold, uptight New York social scene, and they join a hip nudist colony in the relaxed, sunny South.

For seniors who may want to emulate the movie couple and experience life in the all-together, consider the bare facts about these naturist locations:

Sea Mountain Ranch Resort and Spa, 66540 San Marcos Road, Palm Springs CA 92240, 877-928-2827, www.seamountaininn.com. From $250 per night. With hot daytime desert temperatures all year round, being nude here is the way to go. It’s very intimate, with adults-only visitors limited to 100 during sunlight, and only 15 rooms for overnighters. There are many activities, including pilate exercises, whirlpool, massage, swimming, volleyball and social dancing.

Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa, 4425 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee, Florida, 34746, 407-933-5870, www.cypresscoveresort.com. Rate from $79 a night, also weekly and monthly villa and RV accommodations. If you think Walt Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, you’ve never been to this bare-it-all paradise just down the highway. Bask in Florida sunshine, play tennis, putt at miniature golf, ride a paddle boat on the lake, soak in the spa and work on your tan. On weekend nights, there’s live music and karaoke. A family-friendly resort, with activities and special events for the kids.

Hidden River Resort, 885 Reynolds Bridge Road  St. George, GA 31562, 912-843-2603, www.hiddenriverresort.com Rate from $80. Near the Osceola National Forest, this clothing-optional resort encourages activities including horseback riding, biking, hiking trails and gardening. In season, fresh on-site-grown vegetables and fruits are served in delicious home-cooked meals.

The resort offers swimming and exercises in its pool, and boating on the nearby river. Pets are welcome. At  night there’s entertainment and marshmallow roasts around the campfire. RV campers welcome.

Mira Vista Resort, 7501 North Wade Rd., Tucson AZ 85743, 520-744-2355, www.miravistaresort.com. Rate from $170. Next to the Saguaro National Park, this facility offers comfortable lodging near desert trails, soaring cacti and other natural surroundings. There are 14 guest suites in quaint adobe residences that resemble the 19th Century Old West. Mira Vista has an outdoor pool, whirlpool spa, massage therapy, rec room, restaurant and scheduled entertainment.
 
 
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