Doggone Spring Break 2013

Our pet policy here at Have Dog Blog will Travel is that we will feature places we like that have Dogitude, (go above and beyond to welcome dogs and their people) and even places we have never been if they allow ALL breeds of dogs, do not restrict pets based upon weight nor size, do not charge enormous pet fees, and are generally pet friendly and dog tolerant (although we prefer places that really welcome pets with big open arms and hearts).  If your venue does NOT allow dogs like my Cici, then naturally we prefer that you find another blogger to write about your place. Thank you.

Five hotels in New Mexico in three cities that are

pet-friendly and have custom pet-friendly packages and amenities. Note:  The ONLY hotel in Santa Fe that does NOT restrict based upon weight is the St. Francis and we applaud them for that. The other two hotels accept dogs up to 50 pounds. What happens after 50 pounds? Do the dogs woof more, shed more, become a nuisance, are real dogs?  We do not get it, but let it slide since these two hotels would allow Cici to visit. However, for our friends with dogs that weigh 60, 75 , 100 or 150 pounds, we do not condone this nonsense and suggest that you let the hotels know and go stay at the St. Francis.

Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque:

http://www.nativolodge.com/special-pkg/albuquerque-pet-friendly-pkg.aspx

Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe:

http://www.hotelchimayo.com/special-pkg/santa-fe-pet-pkg.aspx

Lodge at Santa Fe:

http://www.lodgeatsantafe.com/special-pkg/santa-fe-pet-pkg.aspx

Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe:

http://www.hotelstfrancis.com/santa-fe-pet-hotel.aspx

Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces:

http://www.hotelencanto.com/special-pkg/las-cruces-pet-pkg.aspx

 Oregon

Lincoln City OR has a reputation for being a pet friendly place to visit. From lodging options, to activities, Lincoln City has a lot to offer travelers and their furry companions.

Check out pet resources here:

http://www.oregoncoast.org/pets/

A few hotels in Lincoln City that offer pet friendly options:

http://www.lookingglass-inn.com/Dog_Friendly.html

http://www.thecoholodge.com/packages.html

http://www.theshearwaterinn.com/Dog_Friendly.html

More Lincoln City, Oregon info… Cici and I LOVED staying at the Capt. Cook Inn when we were there… it was a small motel, with LOTS of pet friendliness, privacy, clean and quiet at a very affordable price. We felt welcomed, it was charming and truly nice people in the midst of a very busy city. A hidden treasure.

THINGS TO DO

http://www.captaincookinn.com/Things-To-Do.html

http://www.oregoncoast.org/pets/

Other pet friendly hotels along the Oregon Coast…

http://www.oregoncoast101.com/lodging/pets.html

 Washington

The Woodmark Hotel is located on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland, Wash. The Woodmark Hotel is dedicated to providing all guests with a home away from home, which for many means travelling with their faithful canine companions.

Amenities for four-legged travelers are available upon request, and are offered free of charge. The shoreline paths, nearby city parks and beautiful scenery are perfect for a leisurely dog walk or invigorating run, ensuring a restful night sleep for all. The Woodmark provides everything needed to pamper pups with complimentary use of a cushy pet bed, food and water dishes, plus Woody’s walking map, bottled water, leash, tennis ball and doggy biscuits. Simply request a pet friendly stay upon booking and all the items will be waiting in-room.

First to welcome two- and four-legged travelers to the property is Woody Mae, a black Labrador retriever and the hotel’s “Director of Barketing.” In June through September, Woody Mae also hosts Yappier Hour on the Beach Café lawn, where pups and their people can enjoy the lake views, warm weather and a cocktail.

The Woodmark requires no additional fees to travelers with pets. For more information about The Woodmark’s pet policy, go to… http://www.thewoodmark.com/seattle-pet-friendly-hotel.php

New York and DC 

Pet-friendly Affinia Hotels, has properties in NYC and D.C. The boutique hotel collection caters to man’s best friend with Happy Tails which includes:

• Good Karma Rope Toys^TM by Jax & Bones for the pup to chew, play, tug, or fetch
• Plush, eco-friendly dog beds by Jax & Bones
• Delish dog treats by Dylan’s Candy Bar
• Food and water bowls (offered in deep and shallow depths)

Additionally, extra services can be arranged including pet psychic, grooming, walking/pet-sitting services, and much more.  Some Affinia hotels even go above and beyond:

·        The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel in Washington, DC invites your pup to enjoy their famed restaurant, Art and Soul, established by celebrity Chef Art Smith, where Fido can crack open a “Bowser Beer” (a non-alcoholic canine brew), enjoy a “Hungry Dawg” six ounce grilled steak and linger on a “Raw Deal” frozen dog bone. All of these items are on the restaurant’s Pooch Patio menu:  http://www.artandsouldc.com/images/Puppy_menu.pdf.

·        Affinia Manhattan is an official host hotel of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and was the home to the Best of Show winner for two years in a row!

·        TripAdvisor rated Affinia Dumont, located in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood, as the number one pet hotel for the second year in a row.

There is a $25 surcharge per stay.

More about dog friendly NYC and Wash DC

http://celiasue.com/2011/03/02/spring-break-for-bicoastal-pets/

http://celiasue.com/2012/04/02/spring-break-dog/

 

squidelicious

Cici and I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. It was a gorgeous day here on the Monterey Bay. And Cici LOVED going out and about and meeting people. We did a few errands and she enjoyed putting on her floor show, showing off her very pink belly.

We had lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf downtown at Abalonetti’s, a lovely locals favorite seafood restaurant. There is a locals menu for $8.95 that includes an appetizer, entree and dessert.  Their patio is pet friendly although the wharf is not technically. Managing partner Kevin Phillips says that it is in the works and that the rule against pooches is not being enforced.

The clam chowder was simply divine. Smooth, creamy and full of flavor. No spongy, pale and bitter clams. The difference is that all of the seafood here is freshly caught and cleaned in-house unlike other places on the wharf that ship their fish to China for processing and then bring it back. About 1,000 pounds of squid is cleaned each week at Abalonetti’s in a room behind the restaurant.

I also decided to try the calamari and fries (although not technically on the locals menu. Calmari steak is on the locals menu). There are a dozen or more different ways to eat calamari from garlic, Baha, spicy Buffalo to flash fried over eggplant, with Sicilian red sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese (called Marty’s special). Squidfest !

I had a totally satisfying ice cream sundae for dessert although I could have had cannaloni. I have had calamari that was rubbery and / or greasy. This calamari was fresh and delicious. The best calamari I’ve ever eaten. I let Cici try the squid but she was not a fan, she does NOT like seafood. The polka dot princess was given the choice of a burger or a chicken patty for her meal. I chose the chicken for her and it was served on top of a take home Abalonetti frisbee with a water bowl. She scarfed it up in record time (even for her) !

I checked out the neighbor’s salads which looked very fresh and inviting, house cocktails included various kinds of Margarita’s, and other offerings. The menu offers a diverse array of sandwiches, pizza, pasta and seafood. Some tempting and tasty looking highlights include fish and chips, battered in beer, Cioppino (seafood soup), Ahi tuna, smoked Salmon ravioli, crab and angel hair pasta. We will just have to go back again and again !

Much more than dogs being barely tolerated, Abalonetti’s is truly pooch friendly. Four paws up !  Kevin has a beagle himself. His beagle is ALL nose, sniffing along the dog path every day.

And the patio is private, cozy yet roomy and enclosed. Felt like we were in another world despite the hustle and bustle of the wharf. Sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the water was relaxing and meditative. Another couple had two dogs on the patio, a Jack Russell terrier mix, six months old, named Angel and another small white dog. Cici of course, and the other dogs wanted to play. And Cici also wanted to chase the birds.

If you are a dog owner visiting Monterey (staying at the pet friendly Portola hotel, a hop, skip and a jump from the wharf) or are a local who wants to have a relaxing day with your pooch, go to Fisherman’s Wharf, take a whale watching tour for three hours (pooches may not be allowed on the boats, call first). Then have a great lunch or dinner (lunch is from 11 am to 4 pm, dinner is 4 pm to  9 pm, seven days a week ), bring the furry ones with you to Abalonetti’s.  Tell them Cici sent you. Woof !

http://www.abalonettimonterey.com/news.htm

http://www.celiasuehecht.com/blog.html

http://members.seemonterey.com/abalonettiseafoodtrattoria/

http://montereywharf.com/index.php?page=whale-watching

www.chrisswhalewatching.com Phone: 831-375-5951

www.gowhales.com Phone: 1-866-GOWHALES

www.montereywhalewatching.com  Phone: 1-800-979-3370

www.randysfishingtrips.com    Phone: 1-800-251-7440

Other temptations on the wharf include salt water taffy, gift shops, face painting, and cotton candy.  Then you also have to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel, Cannery Row, Pacific Grove and the Steinbeck museum. A perfect family destination. There are always events going on here year round.

Coming up soon:

Monterey County Fair, running from Wednesday, August 31, through Monday, September 5.

Cici probably would have jumped in the water to play…

http://news.discovery.com/animals/dogs-and-whales-enjoy-mysterious-connection.html

happy 5 years old

wow, time flies when you rescue a puppy and write about her… my baby is all grown up now !

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet polka dot princess Cici !

August 1 is my cici’s fifth birthday… and there are a few items she really wants… a new collar, leash, bed, if you would like to give her a gift, here’s our wish list, http://thegivingpaw.com/member​s/ciciwriter/ thanks !!!

Dear Cici,

Woof woof!

We want to wish you a very Happy Birthday full of love and joy and tail wagging. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate it with you!

Cici will be profiled today with other birthday doggies on Dogster’s special Birthday Stroll.

Since it’s your birthday we want to give you something special, so we have given you 25 Dogster bones and one vote of 5 Paws! Dogster loves you!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at Dogster

 

from Fetch Dog:

 

Cici

 

We are invited to a local seafood restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf with a pet friendly patio so am thinking I shall bring the polka dot princess there for lunch. She has her own menu, choice of burger or chicken patty served on a frisbee, woof !  Will tell you MORE about it after we go… it’s on Fisherman’s Wharf and a local favorite called Abalonetti’s. Lots of calamari, fish and chips, pasta, abalone, clam chowder and other freshly caught seafood. Yum.

http://www.abalonettimonterey.com/review.htm

Would like to go on a whale watching tour, but not with Cici. She’d be licking everyone on the boat and if she could, she would probably kiss the whales and dolphins, too 🙂

http://montereywharf.com/index.php?page=things-to-do

The Gilroy Garlic Festival is going on this weekend, was hoping to go but looks like it’s not going to happen.

if I were going to have a barkday party for Cici, first I’d invite all of her furry friends, including all of YOU…and your puppies…

We’d have pizza full of ham, sausage, bacon and liver… doggie meat lovers pie !

a peanut butter and cheese cake

treat and toy gift bags

Bowser Beer

Games:

play Smash the M. Vick Pinada

Chew the Tail off the M. Vick doll

Chase, wrestle, roll over and run on the grass

Entertainment:

Dog Singer/Piano Player

downtown Monterey…

if you want to stay at a hotel that is in walking distance to the beach and fisherman’s wharf, then the Portola Hotel & Spa may be the place for you. Our room was on the 5th floor and had a patio, a view of the ocean, and the room was very nice, with two beds, desk, and several chairs. there were chocolate chip cookies for me and some fruit in the room.

The hotel’s seventh floor is the only floor that offers guests all of the amenities, larger guestrooms, breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay, complimentary breakfast, wireless internet and more.

you have to pay $20 or $17 for parking (valet or self) or you can park for free on the street, a block away but have to move your car every two hours.

the spa services are extra, but you can use the swimming pool and jacuzzi…

the Portola Hotel & Spa currently is in the process of achieving the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification, and participates actively in several programs dedicated to conserving environmental resources.

there are several wine tasting rooms across the street from the downtown hotel, terranova and wine from the heart, the latter is pet friendly as long as your dog is well-behaved, and they offer boutique wines from the Monterey area. there are also several pet friendly shops in walking distance as well as the fisherman’s wharf, beach, restaurants, a movie theatre and maritime museum.

Del monte shopping center is five minutes away.

The hotel has recently become pet friendly and will be offering pet
amenities and a pet package that was not yet implemented while we were there. Apparently, you will be given pet amenities upon request…

# Pet Accessories on Request

* Pet Beds
* Leashes
* Water & Food Bowls

You can also request a special package such as whale watching or movie tour…

the whales are coming, the whales are coming…

mendo whale festival…

March 7 & 8, 2009
On Saturday only, Mendocino County wineries bring their unique vintages for tasting to historic Mendocino Village shops, galleries and inns. A free trolley offers rides to the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse for family activities, participating merchants and nearby events, like the chowder tasting, whale watching walks.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, three miles north of Mendocino, offers activities for the whole family, including games for kids, whale watching, and information on the shipwreck Frolic, 1909 Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and annual gray whale migration. Each year, an estimated 20,000 gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico and back from December through April.

On both festival days, you can walk along the cliffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park to see the whales or take a whale watching charter boat from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg.

http://www.mendowhale.com

beautiful Oregon coast beaches…

We drove from Medford, Oregon where it was 100 degrees to Florence, Oregon where it was nice and cool… Cici played on the beach and had a blast yesterday morning… the drive up from Florence to Lincoln City was absolutely stunning… Lovely quaint towns with interesting resources… In Waldport, we stopped at a place that is part health food store and part pet store, with wonderful all natural foods and treats… yum…

then we came up north and did not like Newport and could not find anything other than Subway and Taco Bell’s to eat and I was hungry, really really hungry… so we drove up through Depoe Bay, which is a really great place and where the whales hang out and ate at a small burger, coffee and ice cream shop… Cici sat patiently outside while I ate… Then we came up to Lincoln City and unfortunately I drove back down to Newport to check something out and found out after getting lost when I tried to find a motel for the night that the motels there are ghastly and worse… they each have bizarre-o decidedly UN PET FRIENDLY rules, some places only want dogs that are 10-20 pounds or 30 pounds and some will only take a dog if you give them a credit card, etc.  so if you have a dog DO NOT GO TO NEWPORT… run do not walk…

Depoe Bay did not seem to have a large selection of places to stay and one place was not clean… then we drove back up to Lincoln City at 8:30 pm on the advice of one inn who said I could spend $30 less on their sister location in LC… so exhausted as I was I did… and I am now sitting across the street at the Lincoln City Inn, in their lobby, because the Crown Pacific Inn where I stayed, their internet does not work, the tv did not work, and the heater did not work… basic amenities right, so for $50 I got attitude… when I complained and asked to speak with the owner, both the managers at each location refused and the manager across the streeet told me to stay here at the Lincoln City Inn IF I WANTED SERVICE… so I took her advice… what kind of customer service is that???  Came over here and the manager here said welcome, sure you can use our internet…

I also spoke with the Captain Cook Inn north of here, I had a coupon, it would have been the same rate as the inn I stayed in and the guy was quite sympathetic and said that he has a booster, just in case, regarding the Internet wireless… am going to go there later on…

So, be warned, beware, if you do come to this beautiful place, DO NOT STAY AT THE CROWN PACIFIC INN…  either Depoe Bay or Lincoln City.  Depoe Bay is $30 more for the same lack of service… they were pet friendly but for $50 a night, I expect to not freeze, and have to call up the manager at 3 am to give me a blanket, have a tv that works, as well as Internet, especially since that is what I am paying for. In addition, their free continental breakfast consisted of a half a muffin and some coffee… PUHLEASE !!!!

$50 is still $50… and if they treated me this way, they are sure to treat others this way… I will tell the world about their crappy service and attitude… and oh yes, they have a 20 year old non techie genius who tried to help with the wireless, but he’s clueless…

onward and upward, we will visit the beach and yesterday we visited the Whale Center and saw a few whales in the distance… yay…
Hours of Operation:

Summer Season
Memorial Day – Labor Day
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily

Discovery Season
October- May
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday

Contact us
(541) 765-3304
Fax (541) 765-3402

Flat Fido… Flat Stanley… Flat Alex… just plain flat see the world…

Ok, so no response to my Naked Pit calendar idea yet… how about a Flat Fido project…  similar to the Flat Stanley project. What you do is create a Flat Fido drawing, crayons to paper, don’t have to be a great artist, just draw a doggie, make copies and then send a Flat Fido to relatives, friends, associates around the world, ask them to take photos of Flat Fido at places like the Louvre, Met Museum of Art in NYC, Bloomingdale’s, Monterey Aquarium, at the beach, on a train, on a whale watching boat, camping, in a ditch, at the circus, in a garden, at the zoo, Disneyland, SeaWorld, on a fire engine, in a police station, at a hospital or hospice, in a senior home, on a cruise ship, at the North Pole, Antarctica, Finland, Germany, India, Iraq, wherever, and also with celebs,  famous people, politicians, and send the photos of Flat Fido back to you… and then send the best ones to me…

ok, so we’re not in the lst, 2nd or 3rd grade… but I think Flat Stanley has traveled enough… it’s time for Flat Fido to see the world from a doggie perspective!  And if Flat Fido is based upon a real live dawg, and if Flat Fido meets a real dog, cat, horse, or other animal, you can name him Flat Fanny or Flat Felix…meets whoever, gimme a paragraph or two of Flat Fido’s story… therapy dog, search and rescue, family pet, whatever… clever, funny, cute, and sweet photos and stories wanted ! 

http://www.flatstanley.com/picture_gallery.html  

you can even paste a photo of your dog onto paper, or a magazine or newspaper photo of a dog onto paper…  or make a cut out of a cartoon dog…  you can give him/her a collar, a leash, and a personality, if you like.

here are some resources:

http://drawsketch.about.com/library/bl-step-dog.htm

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-draw-a-cartoon-dog 

just remember, the nice thing about Flat Fido is since he is a cardboard stick figure, pencil drawing or cartoon, or you can make him as realistic as your own dog, you don’t have to feed him, walk him, bathe him. He just hangs around, looking like he is glad to be with you.  Does he sit? Fetch? Bring your slippers and the daily newspaper? He is clean, obedient, and easy to take care of so your relatives won’t mind taking him out for a walk or a trip to the store. No poop to clean up. No muss, no fuss.

and oh by the way, my girl’s debut on squidoo….

http://www.squidoo.com/polkadotpitbull

I just wrote to someone that it should be illegal for dogs to be kept outside 24/7 on chains… this is cruel, inhumane and abusive treatment of dogs…. hurray, for this organization…

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/home.html

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Deck the halls with boughs of catnip and bones this holiday season

 Pet expert suggests Six Tips for keeping Fido and Fluffy safe

 

 

There are approximately 74.8 million dogs and 90 million cats in US households according to the Humane Society of the USA. Americans spent approximately $3 billion on Christmas for their pets last year according to USA Today.

 

Since Fido and Fluffy are part of the family, pet expert and author Mary J. Getten suggests that it is important to make your home safe for your pets to ensure the holly jolly spirit is had by all. 

 

She recommends that you pet proof your entire house, or keep the most tempting items, like a tree with breakable ornaments and gifts, in one room that is off limits to the animals.

 

Also, be sure to monitor the foods your pets are consuming. During the holiday season, it is important that everyone be informed about the dangers that festive foods, gifts, and other items may pose to your pets.

 

Here are a few more reminders to keep your pets happy and safe.

 

 

1.  Holiday Food – Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues.  Chocolate, coffee, garlic, grapes, raisins, and onions are toxic to dogs and cats.  Rising dough on a counter top is irresistible to some pets, and can cause serious problems. Don’t forget that wrapped food gifts under or on the tree can be easily consumed by dogs, cats, birds and small pets.  Not only are food items a problem, but wrappers are impossible to digest.

 

 

2.  Holiday Plants – Many lilies are deadly to cats. Mistletoe, poinsettias and holly cause gastrointestinal upset for all critters. Christmas tree water can be filled with chemicals or bacteria and pine sap is dangerous if ingested. Secure your tree to the wall so your pets can’t knock it over.

 

 

3.  Decorations – Tinsel, ribbon, bells, ornaments and hooks are attractive play things for many small animals.  If swallowed they may cause internal blockages requiring surgery. Broken glass ornaments can cut paws and mouths. If your pet likes to play with things on the tree, decorate the lower third with pet friendly toys or plastic ornaments.

 

 

4.  Candles – Put burning candles in places that are inaccessible to your pets. Chestnuts roasting on the fire is fine but no one wants a pet to accidentally tip a candle over, hurt themselves and start a fire in the house.

 

5.  Batteries – Don’t leave batteries for those Christmas toys lying around. They are fun to play with, but contain corrosives. If ingested, they can cause mouth ulcerations and intestinal issues.

 

 

6. Share Holiday Cheer with Pets – Include your pets in some holiday activities. Give them special holiday treats and toys. Introduce visitors to your pets slowly. Do not overwhelm the animals with too many new faces and smells. If you will be away over the holidays and your pets tend to get nervous, anxious or stressed, give them a nontoxic calming remedy such as Bach Flower Rescue Remedy in their water dish.

 

Remember, good pet parenting is always in season.

 

Getten will be offering an Animal Communication workshop in the Carson City, Nevada area in 2008. For more information, please contact her at 360-376-7606 or visit her website at: 

 www.MaryGetten.com 

 

Mary with a golden retriever named Pearl.

Dogs with cones and other doggie sites…

http://dogswithcones.wordpress.com/   

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ 

http://www.thepetwhisperer.com/whales.html 

Right now puppy is again transfixed by her own reflection in the door and barking at herself occasionally. Last night she was doing this and I came up to her and pointed to myself in the reflection and to her and she looked back and forth confused. This morning, she is sitting there alone wondering who that strange doggie is in the reflection again. Oh well… She got all excited listening to the whales at the petwhisperer website… she kept looking around for the whales… they sound at first a little like dogs, and then when you go to the whale page, like whales…

Apparently, this is a really good pet insurance, if I would have had it before my dog’s accident, they would have paid the vet bill within three days… arggghhh… and now I’d be driving a new car…   anyway, just thought that I’d pass it on… 

http://www.petcareinsurance.com/index.asp