Groom machale! Inside this new pet spa in Mumbai, and how you can unwind there

Luna in all her sparkly and floofy splendour post-grooming

It's getting too hot now to take your pets out on weekend hikes or beach adventures, but that doesn't mean dates with your fur-friends have to come to an end. The trick is to go out but still stay indoors.

On a hot Sunday afternoon in April, we head out with our trusty companion, Luna the Labrador retriever, for a "SoBo date". First mission: To get rid of summer scratchies and freshen her up at the pet spa. We know what you're thinking: "That's a chore, what a bore!" And normally, it would be.

Why is it that Labradors love water, but not baths?

Usually, when we take our pets to the spa, we're forced to loiter in the heat nearby for an hour until the session is done. Or, you find a café and park yourself there for a bit. But with most cafés, you can't take your pet inside, so after the spa sesh, it's straight home. That's why, when we chance upon Zane's Café and Pet Spa in Lower Parel, it sounds perfect. The pet spa is on the first floor, while the ground floor houses a café that welcomes humans and pets alike, making your monthly groomer's visit a shared outing that you can enjoy with your pet.

When we get there, we're pleased to find the spa is spacious and gleaming with its spotless equipment. The staff tell us they offer regular grooming services, as well as medicated baths, oil massage, and deep conditioning. We pick a regular bath and groom session. Luna seems at ease with the employees right away, and after assurances to dote on her, they send us off with a coupon for a free coffee at the café downstairs. You don't need to tell us twice!

Vanilla Bean Yogurt Bowl; (right) Booking a grooming session for your pet also gets you a free coffee at the cafe below

An hour later, we get a call that Luna is ready. We head upstairs and find her "floofy" and sparkling, with a goofy smile on her face - the staff are spoiling her silly with treats. She seems in a great mood, so we head back to the café to chill together.

The café is very clearly a pet lovers' space - there are punny movie posters with canine wordplay, there's even a pet menu for your dog to enjoy - chicken liver rice, lamb stew, peanut butter cookies, and more - while you feast on eggs, salads, and sandwiches. Right away, the staff offer Luna water; she takes a sip and then dashes off to make a new friend: a Husky named Berry. Since it's a pet café, the employees and guests are all at ease with dogs running around. In no time, both dogs get the zoomies, chasing each other through the café. Once they've had their fill, both settle down near their respective family's table. Just in time for a snack.

Luna can't wait to sample her lamb stew; (right) Chilli labneh eggs

We order a lamb stew for Luna, and poached eggs and toast for ourselves, along with an iced coffee. The food and drinks arrive quickly and taste delicious. Luna, too, gives her stamp of approval by wiping her bowl clean in seconds. All the items on the human and dog menu are priced reasonably too, between R250 and Rs 590.

While Luna settles down for forty winks, we get immersed in a book. Before we know it, it's past sunset and time for our evening walk. Since we're in SoBo already, we take a quick cab ride to Marine Drive and make a night of it. In her freshly groomed glory, Luna gains new fans all along the promenade, and is all the happier to meet everybody and take selfies with them. The day is a resounding success for both us, we think to ourselves as we head home, already planning our next south Mumbai date.

Luna and her new friend from the cafe, Berry the Husky

Where: Zane's Cafe & Pet Spa, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel
When: 10 am to 8 pm
How to get there: There is limited parking in the compound. We recommend getting dropped off at the gate