By LORI CASTLE
You look over at your pooch lying by the fire; he stares back with a vapid look of utter
boredom. Then it hits you. Why not take a vacation together? Pets get bummed out too,
especially during the winter when they are likely to get less stimulation outside. So here
are a few places you and your pet can go where you will each have a great time.
SHOPPING SPREE. Think of a great shopping spree and a few cities around the world
come to mind, New York being one of the tops. Pet-friendly hotels are plentiful here. You
and the pooch can check-in to chains such as the Hilton (New York and Times Square),
and Starwood whose hotels include the W. Westin and Sheraton. At the Hotel
Pennsylvania on 7th at 33rd, your pet receives a welcome treat and a copy of a Fido-
Friendly magazine. Each hotel has different rules and regulations about pets.
As for shopping, just stroll down Fifth Avenue, break out the credit cards and bring the
dog with you. Tiffany’s, Ralph Lauren, Saks, Barney’s, Bloomingdale’s — to name a few
— all allow dogs on leash to shop with their owners.
In winter, a pet-friendly restaurant that allows the dogs inside might be hard to find. In the
warmer weather, however, the majority of restaurants with outdoor seating — and there
are tons — allow your pet to hang out. Many of them have special menus and delicacies
for the dog. Try the Boast Basin Café right on the Hudson River.
From the city to the country, wine country that is. Sonoma County is located less than 30
miles north of San Francisco and is home to 200 wineries. Other attractions include
golfing, spas, museums, galleries, gardens and farm markets. For nature lovers there
are numerous county parks for camping and hiking. Dogs are welcome on leash while
inside the parks, and can run freely at the Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park, located at
Sonoma Valley Regional Park, and the new Animal Care Center Dog Park, located at
Ragle Ranch Regional Park. One town in particular in this area is especially pet-friendly:
Healdsburg. This quaint town has something for everyone, swimming, canoeing,
kayaking on the Russian River; picnicking and biking; antiquing and shopping and so
much more. The town has two dog parks, Badger Park (downtown for smaller breeds)
and Villa Chanticleer Dog Park (1.5 acres in the forest). Several wineries allow dogs on
the grounds, and even into the tasting room. Lambert Bridge Winery and, Foppiano
VineyardMutt Lynch Winery are two.
M-I-C...K-E-Y. Are you thinking about going to Disney World? With the exception of service
dogs, pets are not permitted in Disney theme parks or resorts. However, Disney’s Fort
Wilderness Resort & Camp-ground allows pets. There are five on-site air-conditioned
kennels if you do need to bring your pet with you to the park. Call ahead for space
availability. The kennels also accept birds, ferrets, small rodents, and non-venomous
snakes, if in their own carriers. Staying with your pets off-site is not a problem in the
Orlando, Kissimmee area. (Try Holiday Inns and La Quintas to name a few chains.) The
other option is renting a private home where many owners allow pets. A quick internet
search should yield results.
VIVA LAS VEGAS. From The Four Seasons to Motel 6, every level of luxury and
affordability is an option in Las Vegas. The former offers complimentary dog walking and
doggie room service with cookies and Evian water and the latter allows one dog per
room for free (it has to be registered). Dogs are allowed at the Circus Circus RV park
located right on the strip. Dogs must be under owner control, quiet, well behaved and be
on no more than a six-foot leash or contained at all times. There is a dog walk at the
campground. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings or attractions on the Vegas strip,
but head downtown. Hank the dog is usually on premise at Hogs & Heifers and he
doesn’t mind a well-trained friendly canine stopping in during the day once and a while.
You might be tempted to line dance on the bar with the bartenders here. Go for it! Rem-
ember: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
PARTY & PRAY. St. Johnsbury, Vermont, is home to Stephen Huneck, his wife and
their three dogs — two labs and a golden. After a brush with death, Huneck had a vision
to build a Dog Chapel, a “place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond
they have with their dogs.” At his galleries, dogs are welcome and given treats. Every
fall he holds a dog party, with a barbeque for people and dogs and dog contests. Over
the last few years, visitors have travelled from as far away as Alaska. Knowing that the
chapel is a destination place, the area is filled with pet-friendly establishments. Visit
www.dogmt.com for more information.
You look over at your pooch lying by the fire; he stares back with a vapid look of utter
boredom. Then it hits you. Why not take a vacation together? Pets get bummed out too,
especially during the winter when they are likely to get less stimulation outside. So here
are a few places you and your pet can go where you will each have a great time.
SHOPPING SPREE. Think of a great shopping spree and a few cities around the world
come to mind, New York being one of the tops. Pet-friendly hotels are plentiful here. You
and the pooch can check-in to chains such as the Hilton (New York and Times Square),
and Starwood whose hotels include the W. Westin and Sheraton. At the Hotel
Pennsylvania on 7th at 33rd, your pet receives a welcome treat and a copy of a Fido-
Friendly magazine. Each hotel has different rules and regulations about pets.
As for shopping, just stroll down Fifth Avenue, break out the credit cards and bring the
dog with you. Tiffany’s, Ralph Lauren, Saks, Barney’s, Bloomingdale’s — to name a few
— all allow dogs on leash to shop with their owners.
In winter, a pet-friendly restaurant that allows the dogs inside might be hard to find. In the
warmer weather, however, the majority of restaurants with outdoor seating — and there
are tons — allow your pet to hang out. Many of them have special menus and delicacies
for the dog. Try the Boast Basin Café right on the Hudson River.
From the city to the country, wine country that is. Sonoma County is located less than 30
miles north of San Francisco and is home to 200 wineries. Other attractions include
golfing, spas, museums, galleries, gardens and farm markets. For nature lovers there
are numerous county parks for camping and hiking. Dogs are welcome on leash while
inside the parks, and can run freely at the Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park, located at
Sonoma Valley Regional Park, and the new Animal Care Center Dog Park, located at
Ragle Ranch Regional Park. One town in particular in this area is especially pet-friendly:
Healdsburg. This quaint town has something for everyone, swimming, canoeing,
kayaking on the Russian River; picnicking and biking; antiquing and shopping and so
much more. The town has two dog parks, Badger Park (downtown for smaller breeds)
and Villa Chanticleer Dog Park (1.5 acres in the forest). Several wineries allow dogs on
the grounds, and even into the tasting room. Lambert Bridge Winery and, Foppiano
VineyardMutt Lynch Winery are two.
M-I-C...K-E-Y. Are you thinking about going to Disney World? With the exception of service
dogs, pets are not permitted in Disney theme parks or resorts. However, Disney’s Fort
Wilderness Resort & Camp-ground allows pets. There are five on-site air-conditioned
kennels if you do need to bring your pet with you to the park. Call ahead for space
availability. The kennels also accept birds, ferrets, small rodents, and non-venomous
snakes, if in their own carriers. Staying with your pets off-site is not a problem in the
Orlando, Kissimmee area. (Try Holiday Inns and La Quintas to name a few chains.) The
other option is renting a private home where many owners allow pets. A quick internet
search should yield results.
VIVA LAS VEGAS. From The Four Seasons to Motel 6, every level of luxury and
affordability is an option in Las Vegas. The former offers complimentary dog walking and
doggie room service with cookies and Evian water and the latter allows one dog per
room for free (it has to be registered). Dogs are allowed at the Circus Circus RV park
located right on the strip. Dogs must be under owner control, quiet, well behaved and be
on no more than a six-foot leash or contained at all times. There is a dog walk at the
campground. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings or attractions on the Vegas strip,
but head downtown. Hank the dog is usually on premise at Hogs & Heifers and he
doesn’t mind a well-trained friendly canine stopping in during the day once and a while.
You might be tempted to line dance on the bar with the bartenders here. Go for it! Rem-
ember: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
PARTY & PRAY. St. Johnsbury, Vermont, is home to Stephen Huneck, his wife and
their three dogs — two labs and a golden. After a brush with death, Huneck had a vision
to build a Dog Chapel, a “place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond
they have with their dogs.” At his galleries, dogs are welcome and given treats. Every
fall he holds a dog party, with a barbeque for people and dogs and dog contests. Over
the last few years, visitors have travelled from as far away as Alaska. Knowing that the
chapel is a destination place, the area is filled with pet-friendly establishments. Visit
www.dogmt.com for more information.
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