Seems like winter never really happened this year, but we still get to celebrate spring. Our dogs definitely dig all the smells of springtime and are more eager than ever to get outdoors and explore. So though we may worry about drought and other scary consequences of climate change, let’s seize the moment and go enjoy some dog-friendly destinations in and around the Bay Area. This issue will lead the way.
When planning content this time around, we looked to the Beast of the Bay Award winners and runners-up announced in last month’s issue. Two destinations our readers love are Carmel and Half Moon Bay, winner and runner-up, respectively, in the Best Day Trip with a Dog category.
Click here and get excited about Carmel-by-the-Sea, only two hours south of San Francisco by car. Author Janet Fullwood is senior writer and editor for Dogtrekker.com, winner in the Best Dog-friendly Travel Website and Best Dog Blog categories, and a runner-up for Best Overall Website for Dog Lovers.
A sampling of Half Moon Bay’s many mutt-friendly attractions appears here. From our voters’ pick for Best Yappy Hour at the Ritz-Carlton to a beautiful hike on a meandering coastal trail – great things await you and your furry travel companion less than an hour’s drive from The City.
Truth is, the entire Bay Area is a marvelous locale for mutts, with dog-friendly parks and trails and cafes aplenty – not to mention festivals, fairs, sporting events, and other outdoor happenings. Shoshi Parks shares her ideas for keeping things easy-going and fun while you’re out and about with your canine pals.
Do you sometimes hit the road without Rover? If you’re considering boarding your dog while you’re away, check out the suggestions here to make sure it’s a happy vacay for her, too.
Of course, dog training never goes out of season. In the Good Dog! column, Lisa Caper (runner-up for Best Private Trainer) explains the differences in how dogs and kids see the world and offers advice for keeping their relationships safe and happy. Our stellar monthly columnist Kelly Gorman Dunbar drives home the sometimes life-and-death importance of a rock-solid, non-negotiable “leave it.”
Don’t skip two more important pieces that will make you stop and think. We bring you musings from Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of the American Humane Association, on how the homeless dogs of Sochi could inspire more compassion for animals in our own communities. And in this month’s Shelter Zone column, Donna Reynolds discusses a new program at BADRAP (runner-up for Best Rescue Group) called Keep ‘em Home. It helps local folks facing various hardships keep their beloved dogs in the family. Finally, if your dog is a mess when visiting the vet, Dr. Kathy Gervais of Pets Unlimited (runner-up for Best Veterinary Clinic) provides some simple suggestions for banishing the fear.
If you’d like to meet and greet some of the winners, runners-up, and wannabes – not to mention some noteworthy dogs – join us at the Beast of the Bay Awards Party at El Rio in the Mission (Best Dog-friendly Bar) on Saturday, April 12 from 3 to 7 pm. It will be fabulous, guaranteed. More details here.
We’ve got a dazzling dogs-in-art issue in the works for May. Meanwhile, conserve water and pray for rain, but also get out with your dog to enjoy the lovely weather.
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