What We're Loving: A terrific kennel, Pocari Sweat and a great read set in the Amazon

Check out our list of the services, places and items that we're loving this week in Arts&Life.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime. Courtesy Kerastase

As a dog owner, the joy of going away was always tempered somewhat by leaving my trio of four-legged friends behind at a kennel, but that anxiety ended once we discovered Urban Tails Pet Resort in Dubai Investments Park. The word "resort" in the title is very justified; the place boasts excellent outdoor facilities, including a swimming pool, and indoor areas to exercise in and play at during the height of the summer. Classical music is played throughout the facility to calm the dogs and you can even watch your pets socialise via webcams in all play areas. If you miss play time, the staff upload pictures to the Facebook page, so you can see how happy they are while you are able to enjoy a guilt-free holiday. The services on offer range from the junior suites all the way to the royal suite, with plasma TV, in-room webcam, dedicated butler and sheepskin rug. For the more portly pooch, there is a regular boot camp to get back in shape. The only disappointing aspect of the place is that my dogs - Jorge, Gloria and Stella - don't even look back when I drop them off.

Dubai Investments Park, www.urbantailsdubai.com, 04 884 8847.

* Chris Pyke

There's nothing like a good book

This is one book that's proven difficult to put down. I finally got my hands on a Kindle copy of David Grann's non-fiction The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, and so far, it's not been disappointing. The book follows the true story of the British explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett, who spent years attempting to build a case to prove the existence of an ancient and lost civilisation in the Amazon dubbed "Z" – a discovery that he thought would be one of the most significant in history. However, during his last expedition to the world's largest jungle in 1925, Fawcett and his party vanished. Decades on, the mystery of Fawcett's fate has led to several other attempts to trace his footsteps. Having stumbled across an exciting discovery of Fawcett's papers, Grann – a writer with The New Yorker – sets out to investigate what happened to this rather eccentric English explorer, clue by clue, as he finds himself drawn deep into the Amazon. A movie based on The Lost City of Z is reportedly in development after being optioned by Brad Pitt's film company Plan B Productions. Personally, I can't wait.

* Maey El Shoush

Pocari Sweat

Since I first arrived in the UAE, I've had a somewhat peculiar obsession with the Japanese energy drink in the blue and white can. Perhaps it's because it's not available in the UK. Perhaps it's for its somewhat iconic and basic design. Perhaps it's because of its unashamed use of the word "sweat". Whatever the reason, it's something I always try to have in my fridge after a big night out. Because, while it might taste a little like a can of Lucozade that has been left out in the sun for a bit too long, Pocari Sweat has unique magical healing properties that can transform me from bleary-eyed buffoon into a slightly less bleary-eyed buffoon in a matter of seconds. Reach for the Sweat.

* Alex Ritman

bought it, love it,

can't live without it

Elixir Ultime

For the ladies out there having trouble with their hair, this multi-use oil by Kérastase Paris should do the trick. I've become hooked on this product; it's just so versatile. The oil can be used on wet hair to help close up those annoying split ends, or on dry hair to ease down the frizz. It's also meant to provide deep conditioning for your hair, leaving it silky soft, while still maintaining its shine. I personally like to use it after towel-drying my hair, focusing mostly on the ends for extra protection. The Elixir Ultime range includes different oils to suit different hair types, so whether your hair is normal, colour-treated or fine and fragile, there is hopefully a miracle in a bottle for you. You can find this oil in most hair salons for around Dh180 for a 125ml bottle. Check out www.kerastase.com.

* Yasmine Al-Kuttab

Ÿ For more of what we are loving go to www.thenational.ae /whatwereloving