Club Pet NYC   (Photo: CJ Isaac/Courtesy of Club Pet NYC)

• Club Pet NYC

  212-873-3546; clubpetnyc.com

  Finding a dog walker means choosing between individuals who offer personal attention and doggie bonding but can be flaky, and larger companies, whose multiple walkers are always available but may not really get to know your pet. Club Pet NYC handles both expectations: Its thirteen walkers—who get benefits, keeping turnover low—each care for specific dogs, nanny style, but can back each other up in emergencies. In a pinch, they’ll do almost anything pooch-related, from picking up dog food to joining you at obedience-training sessions. Rates start at $18 for a half-hour walk (with a minimum of four walks per week), though other packages are available. Owner Sherman Ewing says he won’t ask his staff to do anything ridiculous—but he also admits that he’s carried many elderly dogs up and down from walk-ups. Awww.

From the 2011 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine