Canines Lapping Up Luxury in Miami Beach

There is no denying tension between dog lovers and dog non-lovers here on Miami Beach, where some of the latter find the former unacceptably canine-obsessed.

Recently at Balans, for example, a man poured a bottle of water on his hot dog (the air was stifling), and the dog, doing what every wet dog would do, shook off the water, thus spraying droplets of dog-contaminated H20 on a table where the diners were not amused.

Elaine Somma lives in Coral Gables and brings her deaf, nearly blind, albino dachshund named Mos Def (really), to Miami Beach for the annual Dachshund Winterfest. But she said she would rather not dig into a plate of stone crabs while a dog is shaking its dander all over the plate. "Can't we separate from our dogs for meals?" she asked.

Despite this, dog lovers seem to be getting the upper hand here.

In June, the Florida state legislature created a three-year pilot program allowing local governments to issue permits to restaurants that want to allow dogs in outside areas under specified rules. A spokesman for the city attorney's office said no action has been taken to set up such a program in Miami Beach.

Meanwhile, the upscale Loews Hotel now has companion programs: "Loews Loves Kids" and "Loews Loves Pets."

Said vacationer Krista Myers of Boston: "I prefer the dogs over the kids."

The Hotel Victor on Ocean Drive has a Sunday happy hour called "Lazy Dog Day," which front office supervisor Jason Brennan said gives "dogs a chance to mingle with other dogs."

Dogs weighing 25 pounds and less are welcome at the hotel. At check-in they get a bed, food and water bowls; at bedtime "a turn-down amenity," which might be a specially designed bone with a Hotel Victor wrapper, and a bottle of Evian, Brennan said.

On Lincoln Road, dogs on some days are as numerous as people -- and at least as well-coiffed and decked out in canine couture. Westies, bichon s frisés and Chihuahuas travel on bicycles, skateboards, in the pockets of lightweight coats, in carriages and on jeweled leashes.

It's one big social scene, from morning until late at night.

"He likes the people," said Kelly Feig, who came from her home in North Miami Beach one Sunday morning to walk Theolonious, a 1 1/2 -year-old 60-pound boxer. "And he likes seeing all the sights and smells. He likes seeing other dogs. He has fun. When he sees big dogs, he likes to play rough. With little dogs, he's very protective."

Seligman said of Teddy's visit to Miami Beach: "She's exhausted because she's met so many dogs."

Jay Richards of Philadelphia, also vacationing on Miami Beach, had one regret. "I have two Rottweilers, and if I could bring my dogs on vacation, I so would. They are too darn big," he said.