Family Tech: SMART WAYS TO MAKE HOME LIFE EASIER: Alpharetta pet resort links Fido to the Web

Family pets are furry relatives, often included in family rituals.

Unfortunately, when it comes to travel there are no dog seats on the plane, and most hotels don't hang a sign welcoming your long-haired, fully clawed cat.

Some friends recently went on vacation, leaving their schnauzer, Schnapps, at an Alpharetta pet resort called Pet Lodge. Schnapps had the opportunity to swim, take nature walks and fetch balls from the never-tiring tennis ball machine.

I took a special interest when I heard that Pet Lodge has plans to build a dozen cyber-luxury suites. These suites will feature Web cams so pet owners can view their pet using a computer and an Internet connection. Each pet owner will be given a private Web address for their pet's suite.

Pet Lodge also offers pet day care. From a cybercafe in Paris or a Midtown office building, pet parents will peek in on their pride and joy via the Web. Pet Lodge plans to install the first of its Web cams within six months. For a similar Web cam, check out http://www.kennelsoft.com.