August 26 is National Dog Day and canines across the country and
their owners are sure to celebrate, most likely on vacation. According to the
ASPCA, between 70 and 80 million dogs make their homes with us, and each
summer, according to AAA 88% of Americans travel by car, presumably so most of
those families can take their dogs with them on their road trips. Hotels
throughout the USA have realized that dogs are a part of people's families, and
have opened their doors wide open to welcome furry guests.
Inn by the Sea in Cape
Elizabeth, Maine (15
minutes from Portland), has been welcoming dogs and their families for more
than 20 years with pampering and in-room amenities. The Inncredible Dog Package
includes two nights' stay for you and your dog, a signature Inn by the Sea dog
bowl, an LL Bean dog bed customized with your furry friend's name, nightly
section from the gourmet pet menu for in-room dining or dining on the deck, and
turndown service including a locally made dog treat from Growlin' Gourmet .
Oh, and don't forget the 30-minute in-room doggie massage! The inn also has a
dog foster program in partnership with the Animal Rescue
League of Greater Portlandwherein they temporarily home rescue dogs
– the feed, care and, most of all, love the dogs until they're adopted. Who
knows, you may find your next dog at the inn.
Dogs have taken a bite out
of the Big Apple, and they're enjoying the treat! On the Lower
East Side , The Ludlow Hotel offers dog treats at the front desk,
in-room pet bowls and dog walking services, not to mention a "secret"
garden you can both enjoy together. Turndown
service includes a Gemma
bottle with flat water placed on a turndown mat at The Bowery Hotel,
and a dog bowl to use the rest of the time in the hotel. At The Maritime
Hotel in Chelsea, dog
walking services are provided so that your pup is taken care of while you're
out exploring the city.
Both Gansevoort Park Avenue and Gansevoort Meatpacking roll out the welcome mat for their
canine guests with complimentary dog amenities, including premium treats from
the Barking Zoo, a dog bed, a mat with a monogram of your dog's name, Fiji
water , food and water bowls, and toys. Your dog will be ultra-stylish,
too, with dog enhancements such as a personalized pet bed, a collar tag with
"I am staying at the Gansevoort Park Avenue (or Meatpacking) NYC" and
a puppy purse.
A bit further south, Sea Island, Ga. offers a package specially-designed
for dogs – the Treat Your Pet to a Getaway .
Inside your and your furry friend's room at The Cloister or The Lodge you'll
find an oversized dog pillow, food and water bowls, and gourmet dog treats. Sea
Island ups its game with an a la carte gourmet pet menu for in-room dining with
fat-free, organic dishes such as the Crazy Dog, beef tips braised in veal
essence.
Florida has gone to the
dogs, and that's not such a bad thing. At the Loews Don CeSar on St.
Pete Beach , VIDs (Very Important Dogs) are welcomed with special
amenities such as a special pet room service menu, toys, bedding and more.
Nearby Fort De Soto is a perfect place to spend your days
together – dogs are allowed nearly anywhere (on leash) within the 1,136-acre
county park, and even have their own beach in which to frolic, Paw Playground.
In the heart of downtown
Tampa, Le Méridien
Tampa makes dogs feel
right at home with in-room food and water bowls, mats and gourmet treats. The
hotel's rooms are spacious, too, perfect for a (quiet) game of fetch!
The Doggie Suite at the W Fort
Lauderdale is the key
to the hotel's PAW (Pets Are Welcome) program. The suite is decked out with a
fluffy in-room bed, snacks, toys, a Bark Box delivered to the room and a Tinkle
Turf Pad on the balcony to avoid any accidents, though walking services are
also available. A specially-crafted menu will have your dog's nose working
overtime: organic salmon filet with steamed asparagus, or a poached chicken
breast with baby carrots, any pup?
One of the few
dog-friendly hotels in Miami's South Beach is Stanton South
Beach, right on Ocean Drive and within close proximity to outdoor
restaurants and pet-friendly parks for you and your pup to see and be seen.
Upon arrival at both Canyon Ranch locations, in Lenox,
Mass ., and Tucson,
Ariz. , dogs and their owners are presented with a complimentary gift
basket filled with a small bag of treats, a toy and a Canyon Ranch leash. You
and your canine friend can even meet with a pet communicator/medium to find out
what’s going on in that mind behind the furry eyebrows.
Dogs are treated like
royalty when they check into The Brown Palace
Hotel and Spa in
Denver, Colo., with their own bed, bowl and a treat awaiting in their room upon
arrival.
On the West Coast, the Hotel del Coronado goes over the top to welcome you and
your dog. Upon arrival, a house-made treat is presented, and in your room,
water and food bowls, placemats, a gourmet room service menu and waste bags can
be found. Forget your bed, crate, leash or collar? No worries – The Del has it
for you! Walking, grooming, dog-sitting and (hopefully not needed!) vet
services are also available, and the dog beach is less than a mile away. Back
at the hotel, the Sun Deck hosts Yappy Hour every Sunday from 4 – 5 p.m. Your
dog can lap up complimentary Evian and
y-appetizers (organic dog treats) while you sip a dog-inspired cocktail such as
a Hair of the Dog, Greyhound ,
or Salty
Dog . Cheers to you both!
When deciding just where
to go with your four-legged friend, do a bit of research on BringFido.com. The website is a terrific
resource for those traveling with dogs to find not only dog-friendly destinations,
but attractions, restaurants, hotels and even events, all around the world.
Now that you know where
you and your puppy pal are going, Milo's Kitchen has a few tips to get her road ready:
Go for a joy ride – to the park or a friend's house – so that car rides can be
associated with fun, too, not just a trip to the vet; be sure your dog's crate
is a "happy place," somewhere she feels comfortable before heading out
on the road; pamper your pup – some hotels offer puppy massage, but you can do
it, too; and bring "home" with you – dogs like familiarity, so bring
along her favorite blanket and toys so that the familiar scents are with you,
too.
Pampered pooch travel may
have been cemented when American Airlines introduced its First Class Pet Cabin
with the launch of the A321T plane, which flies between Los Angeles (LAX) and
San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK). The airlines' standard $125 carry-on fee
can now include a reservation in the First Class Pet Cabin on a first-come,
first-serve basis, if the dog's owner is flying in first class, too. The small,
ventilated compartment accommodates dogs in their kennels (standard rules
apply) for takeoff and landing, and in-flight, your pup can sit with you on
your lap or at your feet.
