  We analyze the physics of bright solitons in two-dimensional dipolar
Bose-Einstein condensates. These solitons are not possible in short-range
interacting gases. In particular, we discuss the necessary conditions for the
existence of stable 2D bright solitary waves. The stability of the solutions is
studied by means of the analysis of lowest-lying excitations. Additionally, we
study the scattering of solitary waves, which contrary to the
contact-interacting case, is inelastic, and could lead to fusion of solitary
waves. Finally, the experimental possibilities for observability are discussed.
