*Foot Notes

In this week’s Footnotes: For our favorite furry, feathered and finned friends, nothing but the best will do. Whether it’s the finest pooch beauty treatment or the cat’s meow in kennels, we have ideas for your beloved menagerie.

* You want your best buddy to feel good about himself and what better way than a haircut, bath and beauty treatment? There are dozens of dog and cat groomers in the San Fernando Valley. Some are mobile operations that will come to you. Others are shops. Jan’s Dog & Cat Grooming Salon in Granada Hills, (818) 363-1596, is air-conditioned, with non-glare lighting, soft background music and a nonskid floor. A full-size bathtub and private, sanitized enclosures are other amenities. Grooming costs between $10 and $50, depending on the pet’s size. Jan says she uses a psychological approach with her four-legged clients--she treats them as individuals and gives them all a lot of love.

* No matter how much you love your pets, sometimes you have to leave them. Dozens of local dog and cat kennels are ready to house your pets while you’re gone. The Pet Resort in North Hills, (818) 891-4472, can provide accommodations for dogs and cats from $10.50 to $26 per night, depending on the size of the animal. A special VIP treatment for Fido includes use of the resort’s swimming pool (with a lifeguard on duty), two feedings and one bath per day. Movies for cats are also offered. $3.50 buys a 30-minute video of birds and fish for your feline friend.

* When the time comes for Fluffy to shuffle off this mortal coil, the Cal Pet Crematory in Sun Valley, (818) 983-2313, has served local pet lovers since 1947. Cremation costs between $80 and $200. A wooden box for the ashes ranges from $13.53 to $26.57; a bronze urn costs between $162 and $270.

The Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park in Calabasas, (818) 591-7037, has provided burials since 1928. Prices range from about $450 for small dogs and cats to $1,000 for large dogs to $4,000 for horses. Grave markers start around $220.

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In a world of stress and strife, a loving pet can provide solace and nurturing. When all others fail us, a pet will love us no matter what. Studies have shown that having a devoted pet can even improve your mental and physical health. It’s not surprising that pet owners want to return that affection in the only way they understand--a human way.*