Tag Archives: pet stores

September 1, 2011 · 6:20 pm

Labor day weekend: Florida coast pet friendly

This Labor Day, depending upon where you live, weather, time, and other factors, you might consider visiting Florida’s coast, east or west or other…  there are last minute deals at hotels… and this may be a last chance for sun, sand and surf. Be aware that if you are traveling with a pit bull breed, that Miami is off limits and there may be other states along the way that ban your dog. Plan your route accordingly.

There are also many other fun pet friendly cities and towns to visit… St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs, and others. But here’s a few ideas to whet your adventure and wet your whistle.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/orl-florida-travel-for-pets-051111,0,4286461.story

St. Pete is located on the west coast of Florida.

The TradeWinds Island Grand on St. Pete beach features a doggie play area compete with a complimentary doggie accessory center, an attractive walking zone along the resort’s waterway, 48 pet-friendly suites and a special room-service menu, just for pets. Located at the resort’s South Terrace area, the Pet Play Zone was designed for guests and their dogs to safely enjoy a little doggie R&R. The area features doggie drinking fountains, umbrellas for shade, benches, doggie rinse and drying station with towels, owner sitting area, fire hydrants, and more. The Pet Play Zone is the only area on property where dogs can be unleashed, and features a double gate entrance for safe and easy access into and out of the park. Pet clean-up stations include clean-up baggies and waste disposals. A Doggie Accessory Center stocked with dishes, leashes, toys and towels, for use during the furry friend’s stay, is accessible for guests using their room key.

Guests wanting to treat their pet to some extra-special service can order from the pet-only room service menu, including specialty meats, gourmet dog and cat food and special treat packs. Menu items include Kitty Casserole and Fido Fajitas.

also offer a pet package – here are the details:

Fido’s Fabulous Adventure*                                      Two Nights – Starting at $415
Fido and Fluffy deserve a vacation, too!
Two Nights/Three Days Accommodations in a Pet-Friendly Suite
Nightly Pet Fee Including use of Pet Play Zone and Doggie Accessory Center
Bow Wow WOW pet amenity stuffed with TradeWinds signature bandana, toys and treats
Beach Cabana and extra benefits at each resort with Resort Amenity Fee
Available through Dec. 31, 2011.

Here are some links from the local visitor bureau website that will probably help with pet-friendly items in the area. I think the best one is Fort DeSoto Park – an AMAZING beach that was once the #1 beach in the country, as rated by Dr. Beach. It is just a few miles from the hotel and pet-friendly.

Here are a few links on the site that might be of interest:

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/articles/bring-your-dog-americas-no-1-beach

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/articles/pet-friendly-places

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/videos/pet-friendly-st-petersburgclearwater

Vero Beach is located on the east coast of Florida. Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, a Kimpton Hotel, accepts any number of pets without size or weight restrictions and for no extra charge.  The Hotel’s pet-friendly amenities include:

•    Welcome treats in the lobby
•    VIP (very important pet) amenity in the room
•    In-room bowl for food and water
•    Doggie bed
•    List of nearby veterinarians upon request
•    No restrictions, no fees

Favorite Dog Park? “The Dog Park”, a great walk from the resort (3/4 mile), is located at the southern base of the Barber Bridge, next to the baseball field and River House. Well mannered pets are welcome from sunrise to sunset, there is no fence so free to explore the river for swimming, the large field for fetch, and of course mingle with all the local beach dogs. Chairs are available for owners as well as a “scoop the poop” bag dispenser if you forget your own.

Best Groomer? Divine Animal Hospital (772.299.3665). They take pet’s picture and put it on your own ID card for owner.

Favorite dog /pet friendly places in Vero Beach?

Ocean Drive offers Cravings Bakery & Cafe with ice cream treats just for dogs

Hearth & Hound specializing in homemade dog treats and gifts for the pet love

Turn the corner and you’ll find Casey’s, an outdoor hot spot for amazing hamburgers, grilled hot dogs and a BLT that will have the best behaved pooch begging for bacon.

Cardinal Avenue is home to The Laughing Dog Gallery–come experience the unleashed creativity of America’s foremost artists. This gallery is run by two gracious Mastiffs so it is no wonder their motto is “Own art, be happy!”.

Dashing Dog Boutique, Vero’s only boutique designed specifically for dogs, offers the most sought after dog products available in today’s market and specializes in natural, holistic and organic dog foods and treats. Dashing Dog also features the top brands in dog accessories, clothing, carriers, toys, collars and leashes. Of course no beach vacation is complete without an easy stroll along the boardwalk to Boardwalk Cafe for an ice cream cone.

http://www.thecapeescape.com/Pets.html

* CAPE SAN BLAS FLORIDA — BEST DOG FRIENDLY BEACH IN AMERICA *

It’s true! Cape San Blas beaches are pet friendly & allow your dogs ANY time! Cape San Blas is one of the true “dog beaches” in FL! Don’t just settle for a pet friendly rental…enjoy a pet friendly beach too!

When vacationing at Cape San Blas we enjoy having our dogs with us, they are part of the family so we decided to provide a pet friendly accomodations for you as well! All of our rentals are pet friendly & we welcome large and small dogs alike!

We have spent many afternoons and evenings watching dogs of all shapes and sizes walk the beach and chase balls in the surf. Our dogs love the water and beach and playing with the other dogs on the beach–we would like your dogs to enjoy it too! There are NO restrictions on when your dog is allowed on the Cape beaches!

Barrier Dunes has a lot of grassy areas to walk your dog(s) if you are not looking to go to the beach! Barrier Dunes provides a number of “Pet Stations” throughout the neighborhood with plastic bags so that you can easily clean up after your pet! And, of course, dogs are welcome on the beach ANY time! Cape San Blas, FL has one of the most pet friendly beaches in the USA!

Please note that the beaches of Panama City and Mexico Beach are NOT pet friendly. You stand a good chance of getting a hefty fine if you bring your dog on other beaches in the area!

PET FRIENDLY SAILING

Apalachicola Sailing Adventures. 850-643-9616. 3 hour sailing trips either up the Apalachicola River or out into the Apalachicola Bay. Sailing trips 7 days a week and limit of 6 guests per trip. Reservations requested. PET FRIENDLY TRIP!

RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DOG

PET FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS:
Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe – St. George Island
Up the Creek Raw Bar- Apalachicola
Cypress Diner- Apalachicola
Verandas Bistro & Wine Shop- Apalachicola
Tamara’s Cafe- Apalachicola
Apalachicola Seafood Grill- Apalachicola
Hole in the Wall Oyster Bar – Apalachicola
Apalachicola Seafood Grill – Apalachicola
Up the Creek – Apalachicola
Coneheads – Cape San Blas (right outside of Barrier Dunes): Can eat with your dogs at the picnic tables outside!

Apalachicola is just a great dog friendly place to visit!

SHOPPING

One of the many stores that you can visit in Apalach is Petunia: For Pets and Their People! You are welcome to bring your well-behaved pet inside!Petuna has unique gifts, apparel and accessories for Pets and their People, including, collars and leashes, gourmet treat designer beds, pet carriers, pet bath and body products, pet life jackets, dog and cat toys, breed specific gifts, pet greeting cards, t-shirts, hats and more!

Apalachicola National Forest.

the Apalachicola National Forest, located between Tallahassee and the Apalachicola River, boasts over 564,000 acres where your leashed pet will be most welcome when you hit the trails! Despite the fact that this area is one of the most popular of the national forests on the east coast, there are still remote, quiet and remote areas of the park. There are also short interpretive trails for those who are seeing a shorter walk with Fido. Dogs are also permitted at the numerous lakes here, again, as long as they are kept on a leash. There is also a 31 mile Apalachee Savannah Scenic byway, which is on the western flank of the forest.

TIP FOR INJURED PAWS at the BEACH

If your dog has a paw injury that needs to keep sand out, try Glad Press and Seal wrap. It goes on quickly, is fairly thick and has some traction on it beacuse of the texture. It also comes off easily without sticking to the fur but had enough adhesion ot do the trick of sealing off the area!

BEACH ETIQUETTE FOR DOG OWNERS

  • Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law.
  • Always clean up after your dog by using a poop bag (there are several pet stations around Barrier Dunes to make this EASY!)
  • Do not let your dog visit with other beach-goers or dogs, unless welcomed (meaning talk to those around you…most of the time you will just make a friend and your dog will too!).
  • If using an official off-leash area, your dog needs to be well-behaved and must listen to your verbal commands.
  • In an off-leash area, always pay attention to your dog.

http://www.best-florida-beaches.org/dog-friendly-beaches.html

Other Florida dog friendly beaches:

  • Bradenton Beach
  • Daytona Beach
  • Fernandina Beach
  • Flagler Beach
  • Fort De Soto State Park
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach
  • Fort Myers Beach
  • Fort Pierce
  • Hollywood Beach
  • Jacksonville Beach
  • Jupiter Beach
  • Key West (Islamorada)
  • Miami Beach
  • Naples Beach
  • New Smyrna Beach
  • Pensacola
  • Sanibel Island
  • St. Augustine Beach
  • St. George Island
  • St. Petersburg Beach
  • Tampa Beach
  • Venice Beach

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Filed under beach, dog travel, dogs, Florida, holiday tips, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, travel, travel with dog, Uncategorized

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May 20, 2011 · 1:30 pm

holiday tips for the road

If you are going to the Rapture today, have a great time…

Cici and I had fun driving around for two years… these are a few things that kept us safe and sane. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, these tips are helpful for holidays and can also be good for summer travel with your pooches.

l.  Comfy and cozy and restrained. I had Cici all set up in the back seat with her own blankets and bedding, toys and bones to chew on. Familiar stuff. She could stretch out and snooze while I drove. Or gnaw on bones. Whatever she felt like doing was ok with me because she was out of the way. No coming up into the front of the car or sitting beside me. I did not strap her in but now have a harness for her that attaches to the seat belt which I will use when/if we go on another road trip.  We have been invited back east in June, not sure yet if we will go.

2.  Speaking dog language. I sing songs to her, making them up as I go along. She has learned that when I sing the beach song that means we are going to the beach and she perks up. Or when I sing the doggie park song, she’ll be ready to play with doggie pals. One of the sweetest sounds is the yum yum song, meaning we’re gonna go eat some food. Salivation.

3. Give me a potty break. I take frequent breaks/stops along the way to our destinations and often times intentionally stop at places I know that she will enjoy, if possible. Beaches, dog parks, pet friendly wineries as well as shopping malls and pet stores. When we have the time to do this, it definitely breaks up the monotony of the road and makes the traveling easier and more fun.

4.  Time and traffic. We usually were not in a rush to get anywhere, so our time schedule was flexible. If we had to be somewhere at a certain time, I’d leave more than enough time to get there. When traveling on a holiday weekend, go a day or two ahead if you can or a day or two later to avoid the rush hour traffic.  Same with summer travel. Be aware of times when traffic gets jammed up and take a different route, if possible.

5. Unexpected things will always happen so prepare and expect an adventure. Bring car oil, gas can, a flashlight, a spare tire, camping gear, water, extra dog food and treats, towels, pillows, clothing, extra cash or credit card and other items you might need (shampoo, scissors, bandages, ointments and creams and oils) just in case.

6.  Maps and driving directions. Keep in glove compartment. I am not always good about this. I know the general direction or city/place and then get there and not know where to go and have to search online or on my computer. Keep phone numbers and addresses handy, too.  If you have a cell phone/I-phone, probably makes this easier. I have yet to succumb to the 21st century on this one but if you are traveling alone, especially in desolate areas such as the desert, having a cell phone is a good idea. Hopefully, there is a connection/dial tone when you need to use it.

7.  Be a good guest. Bring your best manners with you. And pet waste bags. If renting a car, cover the seats with sheets and keep your pooch in a crate or harnessed to a dog bed in the back seat. Let the fur fly somewhere else than in the rental car or you might have to pay a hefty fee. Also, be sure of the rental car company’s pet policy before you get to the rental counter. At the pet friendly inn, hotel, motel, B&B or campground, find out ahead of time their do’s and don’ts, nearby places to visit including restaurants where you can take your pooch and fun dog friendly activities in the area.

8.  Be considerate. Not everyone loves dogs and some people are afraid of dogs. And they don’t have to nor do some like pit bulls and other big dogs. And they do not have to either. Of course, rude comments, aggressive behavior and insults are not acceptable and discrimination is unwarranted. But if your dog is well behaved, does not run up to strangers, knock babies over, lick kid’s ice cream cones,  bark or yap incessantly, share fur and drool everywhere or jump up on tables, people and furniture, a better time will be had for all. Make sure your fur baby is a good ambassador for the breed and species.

9.  Accidents may happen. Bring your vet’s phone number, medical records, ID tags, photos of your pet and other info with you, just in case. Also any medications and a pet first aid kit (like the green one we suggested).

10.  One is the loneliest number. Dogs do not like to be left alone in a hotel room, strange places or even in the familiar confines of your car. Do not ever leave your four legged friend unattended in a parked vehicle. On warm days, the temperature in your vehicle is unbearable, 120 degrees, even with the windows slightly open. In addition, your pet could be taken away by unscrupulous pet thieves looking to make a quick buck.

11.  Does your Dog Have a License? If you and your dog are going to share the driving, be sure that they have their Pet’s Driver’s License. Kidding but Cici does now have her Pet Driver’s License, with all her ID listed on it plus a photo of her on it. Between this, her collar ID tag, microchip registered, she is all set to get up and go. Cannot wait for someone to ask for my driver’s license, I will definitely show them hers.

http://www.mypetdmv.com/



http://youcantmakeitup.blogspot.com/2006/04/50-animals-driving.html

Now it’s time to take a Blog Hop road trip catching dogs with Life with Dogs and Two Cavalier Dogs online, here be the code

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Filed under AAA, Adventure, auto club, blog hop, dog travel, driving, happy holidays, K9 travel, pet travel, pit bull, rental cars, Uncategorized, women travel, women writers with dogs

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May 13, 2011 · 11:49 am

bend it like oregon

Another guest blogger today, hurray… This is from Tawna Fenske, bio below, does PR for Bend Oregon.

When most people think of Oregon, they imagine lush, damp forests and constant rain. But it’s a different picture in the mountainous high desert of Central Oregon.

Dubbed the “outdoor playground of the West,” Bend, Oregon is a recreation lover’s paradise filled with craggy volcanic rock formations, snowcapped mountains, rushing rivers, endless trails, and a whole lot of open space dotted with sagebrush and juniper.

It’s the perfect setting for dog-loving travelers and very Happy Dogs…

http://jillrosellphotography.blogspot.com/2011/01/dogs-of-bend-oregon-pet-photography.html

Bend is famously friendly to canines, and was recently nominated by Dog Fancy magazine as “one of the best places in the country to be a dog and dog owner.”

So what is there to do if you’re a four-legged traveler coming to this city?

Though Bend’s population is just 82,000, the city has a whopping SEVEN  off-leash dog parks http://www.bendparksandrec.org/Parks Trails/Dogs in Parks/. These aren’t just little patches of grass, either. Pine Nursery Park, for example, is an 18-acre fenced space packed with trails, trees, and wide open spaces for fetching and running.

If open trails are more your scene, there are plenty of them in and around Bend.  http://www.dogpac.org/trails&parks.html  Visit the website for Bend’s dog advocacy group, DogPac, for a complete listing of summer and winter trails guaranteed to be Fido-friendly.

For those seeking special events and activities to enjoy with a canine companion, Bend has plenty to offer. In the winter months, skijoring is a popular diversion for dogs and humans (think of it as cross country skiing while being pulled by a dog). Wanoga  http://www.dogpac.org/wintertrails.html  Sno-Park is a great place to sample that, along with regular old snowshoeing or Nordic skiing with your pooch.

In the warmer months, Bend’s  http://www.bendconcerts.com Les Schwab Amphitheater brings in tons of great concerts that are open to dogs and humans alike. Dogs are also welcome on most  mountain biking trails  http://www.dogpac.org/summertrails.html  around Bend for those who like to tear up the singletrack with Rover along for the ride.

Once you’ve had your fill of frolicking and butt-sniffing in the great outdoors, consider visiting some of Bend’s dog-friendly shops for toys and necessities.  http://bendpetexpress.com/   Bend Pet Express has an excellent selection of food, toys, and treats, with locations on both the northeast and west side of town. They also carry products from   Ruff Wear, a Bend-based manufacturer of products for active canines. Pick up one of their doggie floatation coats before renting a canoe from Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak  or Tumalo Creek Canoe & Kayak and heading out onto the water with your pooch.

And if you want to go camping and hiking, here is a map,  http://www.visitbend.com/Bend-Hiking-and-Camping-Map.pdf

For dogs with a taste for the bling, check out  Dog Patch Boutique on Minnesota Avenue in Downtown Bend. The shop has a great selection of dog accessories ranging from Swarovski Crystal collars to leashes to beds to dog apparel and cologne.

During the summer months, most restaurants with outdoor dining areas are eager to welcome you and your dog for a meal.  Chow,   Bourbon Street, Parilla Grill, Flatbread Community Oven, and Brother Jon’s are just a few great spots that allow dogs to dine with their owners at the outdoor tables.

The Bend Ale Trail :  a majority of these breweries are dog friendly in their outdoor seating areas, and you’ll almost always spot a pooch or two leashed to the lamp poles in front of local pubs.

For dog bakeries, try Polka-Doodle Dog Bakery and Healthy Paws offer grain free dog food.

Bend also boasts oodles of  pet-friendly Bend hotels for visitors  who need a home away from home. Options range from luxury boutique accommodations like The Oxford Hotel (which offers perks like organic dog treats, travel bowls you get to keep, and a personal pet bed proportional to the size of your pet) to budget-friendly lodging options like Super 8.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pet-friendly-rentals-bend-or-33725.html

If bringing your dog to his own pet-loving resort is more your kind of vacation, Bend offers a number  of doggie hotels to pamper even the pickiest puppy.

Even without all the opportunities for hiking, frolicking, and dining with your dog in Bend, it’s the little things that make you both feel at home. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a gas station attendant or drive-thru coffee barista who doesn’t offer biscuits to your pooch, and most local businesses keep water dishes out in the warm months.

It’s Bend’s way of saying welcome to two and four-legged friends alike!

Bend it like Oregon guest blog by Tawna Fenske

About Tawna

Tawna joined Visit Bend in October 2010 to handle day-to-day execution of Visit Bend’s communications programs. She manages relationships with key media contacts and stakeholders in the tourism industry, playing the primary public relations role for the organization.

A third generation Oregonian, Tawna has lived and worked in Bend since 1997. Before joining the Visit Bend team, Tawna spent nearly eight years as the Publications Coordinator for the Marketing team at St. Charles Medical Center. She also worked in marketing and corporate communications for an international translation company and a nationally franchised family photo studio.

When she’s not devoting her energy to promoting Bend tourism, Tawna stays focused on her other job as a published novelist writing quirky romantic comedies. She loves roaming the globe and tending to a menagerie of ill-behaved (but well loved) family pets.

http://www.visitbend.com/blog/2011/03/02/the-ultimate-dog-date-in-bend-oregon/

Besides Bend, you might want to visit other places in Oregon such as Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass and/or  Sutherlin and Florence (the beaches).

Here’s some info on Grants Pass. Cici and I camped out at the Valley of the Rogue campground a few times, as well as stayed in a yurt at Honeyman campground in Florence and stayed in various motels in Medford, Florence and Ashland, as posted about two years ago.  we also visited gorgeous Crater Lake.

http://www.rogueweb.com/crater/

https://celiasue.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/its-reigning-cats-and-dogs-in-florence-oregon/

https://celiasue.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/into-the-sunset/


https://celiasue.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/along-highway-5/

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/hotels-allow-dogs-grants-pass-oregon-52674.html

http://www.coosbayinn.com/hotel-oregon-coast-sitemap.asp

a bird in the blog hop thanks to Life with Dogs

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangeforpets?sk=app_4949752878

Time for BlogPaws’ Be the Change for Pets project, spring cleaning, clean out our closets!

  Join pet bloggers and pet lovers from around the world, on May 18 -25th- for the world’s first online garage sale to benefit animal rescue or any other animal based cause you would like. You can participate from your own home and participate however you like.

Thank you to Two Little Cavaliers for this heads up… and two of the cutest lil doggies Cici would love to play with…

and here Blog Hop is the code

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Filed under big dogs welcome, dog friendly, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, guest blog, Oregon, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, Uncategorized, USA Today

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August 27, 2008 · 7:39 pm

want to help to rescue a dog ?

There was the sweetest one year old lab mix black with a tiny white spot on his chest at the campground today… it’s owner left it tied up in the hot sun all day yesterday and today… I let Cici play with him this morning and really would love to take him with us … I reported it to the park and will see about finding him a good home… NO dog should be left outside in 95-100 degree weather !!!!    I left the owner a note, and splashed water all over him in the hopes of keeping him cool, too…

Cici goes with me wherever I go, Office Depot, Staples, banks, Lowe’s, and other stores allow pets so there is no reason to leave a dog tied up, especially not a puppy with a lot of energy that needs to play, run and companionship!

there was also a black feral kitten at the campground… so many animals to find good homes !!!

I found this photo at Free Will Astrology, great horoscopes, fun site…wouldn’t it be great to see people giving money/cash out to passersby on the freeway, rest areas, and supermarkets and shopping malls?  You’ve been blessed… Give to someone you love today and Pay it Forward !!!

1 Comment

Filed under camping, cats, dogs, mutts, pay it forward, paypal, pet care, pet travel, PetSmart, puppies

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