If you read my blog regularly, you've probably figured out that dog friendly vacations and great dog friendly hotels are my world! I love sharing the adventures we go on with our dogs, Icy and Phoebe. Today I'd like to share some dog friendly fun in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire!
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire is a Great Dog Friendly Vacation Destination
Traveling With Dogs Takes Planning
When we first started traveling with the dogs and I had to plan dog friendly getaways, it helped me a lot to read about how other pet parents found great places to visit with dogs. It isn't always easy to find great pet friendly hotels and activities. We've been traveling with our dogs for several years, and now we're in the pet travel groove! We have shared many of our wonderful dog friendly adventures on this blog, and we'll continue to do so to help others plan their own great dog friendly vacations!
We stopped for a photo on a bridge along this beautiful dog friendly trail in Waterville Valley, NH
Our latest travel adventure with Icy and Phoebe was a trip to the Waterville Valley, New Hampshire ski resort. No, the dogs didn't do any skiing, I did! New Hampshire is one of six states that make up New England, and it's one of my favorite New England states to visit. The other states that make up the New England region in the Northeastern United States are; Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. All these states are beautiful in every season and each one has something special to offer. However, we love New Hampshire the best, in both Winter and Summer. Waterville Valley is one of the best dog friendly vacations we've been on, so we go back as often as we can.
If you've been reading our blog for awhile, you know that we love taking our dogs just about everywhere with us! We're always looking for great dog friendly restaurants, dog friendly activities and other destinations that welcome dogs. We have recently discovered some great Dog Friendly Wineries on Long Island, New York!
Long Island's Wine Country
Yes, Long Island, New York has a Wine Country and it's pretty darn good! The sandy soil and moderate climate found on Long Island makes it ideal for growing grapes. Although grapes have been grown and vines sold on Long Island since the late 1600's, according to the Long Island Wine Council the first Long Island Vineyard wasn't planted until 1973.
Several vineyards on Long Island, NY are dog friendly!
Upon visiting Long Island in 2,000, world renowned Australian viticulturist Dr. Richard Smart said that the soils of Long Island "are among the finest soils for grape growing that I have ever seen in the world" Wow, that's quite a testament coming from a leading global consultant on viticulture methods!
Sandy soil and a moderate maritime climate are ideal for growing grapes that make the delicious wines of Long Island!
As you travel East on Long Island, the Island splits into two sections, the North Fork and the South Fork of the island. This split begins at the town of Riverhead, about two thirds of the way to the Eastern end of the island. The North Fork of the island is where most of the wineries are located in towns like Riverhead, Mattituck, Peconic, and Southold. There are a couple of wineries on the South Fork as well, but the South Fork is better known for the beautiful regions of The Hamptons and Montauk.
Dog Friendly Wineries, North Fork Long Island
We've visited several vineyards on Long Island over the years, but this was the first time we visited wineries on Long Island that allow dogs! It's the first time, but it will certainly not be the last. We had a wonderful time at two of Long Island's pet friendly wineries, and so did our dogs, Icy and Phoebe! For our first winery visits with the dogs we chose Pindar Vineyards in Peconic and Macari VineyardsinMattituck. Visiting two wineries with dogs was plenty for one day. We wanted to take our time and enjoy the wine and the beauty of the vineyards, and didn't want to tire the dogs out too much. We'll be heading back out to visit a couple more pet friendly wineries on Long Island in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that!
Dog Friendly Pindar Vineyards, Peconic, Long Island NY
Our first stop was Pindar Vineyards in Peconic. I did a tasting of about 5 different wines (don't worry, the tasting size is super small!) and John had just one glass of wine since he was our driver. We bought a couple of cheese sticks and a small package of crackers to enjoy along with our wine. They had a covered patio with lots of shade and a beautiful view of the vineyards. The gentle, cool breezes off the water were delightful! I had brought chew sticks for the dogs, but of course we couldn't refuse sharing some of our cheese sticks with them too!
We had to share some of our cheese sticks with the dogs. I mean, who could say No to that face!?
I really like Pindar's green initiatives, one of which is the use of wind in their wine production. They installed a 156 foot tall Turbine that will power at least 80% of all winery operations. We applaud their sustainability efforts!
This wind turbine will power at least 80% of wine production at Pindar Vineyards
There is a beautiful Sunflower Field on the property as well. You can stroll through the field with a glass of wine in hand, admiring the bright, "happy" flowers. You can even cut some sunflowers to take home for just a dollar or two per stem. They provide the clippers, you choose & cut your flowers.
Pindar Vinyard has a beautiful sunflower field. Sunflowers can be cut and purchased by the stem.
We left Pindar Vineyards with 2 bottles of wine in tow. A bottle of Pythagoras red wine for my husband and a bottle of Winter White for me. Delicious!!
Dog Friendly Macari Vineyards, Mattituck, Long Island NY
Our next stop was Macari Vinyards in Mattituck. I didn't do another tasting, instead I had a glass of a sparkling Cabernet that I really like and john had a glass of Merlot. In addition to tasting flights, Macari offers a boxed cheese, cracker, and aged salami snack that you can enjoy with your glass or bottle of wine outside on the patio. You can also buy these items a la carte. There was enough in the boxed "snack" to consider it lunch for two. There was also enough cheddar cheese and salami left over for a delicious omelette du fromage the next morning!
Macari Vineyard offers a la carte or boxed snacks of cheeses, crackers, and aged Italian salami. Yum!!
We enjoyed one of the boxed snacks with our wine on the covered patio overlooking the vineyard. It was perfect, sipping wine and snacking on cheese and crackers while looking out over the beautiful vineyard. The breezes that came off the Long Island Sound were so relaxing, even the dogs were loving the cool breezes! We made sure there was plenty of shade and kept the dogs well hydrated. Of course, we had to share a little of our cheese and salami with the dogs!
Phoebe jumps up to catch a bit of cheese!
The Macari Vineyard started in the 1990's. The Macari farm uses an ecological and holistic approach to growing their grapes. That includes a field devoted entirely to compost, with a composting program that utilizes a herd of Long Horn Cattle and a couple of horses. PIN THIS!
If you decide to visit wineries on Long Island, New York, there are lots of Long Island Vineyard Tours available. I like the idea of a tour because you can visit several wineries and participate in wine tastings to your heart's content without having to worry about driving afterwards! It's probably the safest way to do a wine tasting tour, don't you think?
Have you ever visited a dog friendly Vineyard? If not, would you like to? Leave us a comment and let us know, we LOVE hearing from you!
On the way to and from the BlogPaws conference in Kansas City, we stopped off in the quiet, historic town of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. It's a very dog friendly little town with a beautiful river running through it. The town is also home to Lock Haven University, a college with just under 4,000 students. The William Clinger Riverwalk is a beautiful paved walkway that runs along the river for 2.25 miles. The river is actually a levee that protects Lock Haven from the West Branch Susquehanna River.
The Riverwalk is a nice long path that is very dog friendly and great for long walks. We love visiting Lock Haven because the riverwalk offers a great way for both us and the dogs to get good exercise and take time to enjoy ourselves when we stop off during long road trips. I would actually visit this dog friendly town for this beautiful riverwalk alone!
It's the end of Winter in these photos, but it's even more beautiful in Summer when all the trees have leafed out and bloomed. I hope to visit in the Fall next time when the blazing colors of the Northeastern Fall foliage are in full swing. I know that will be spectacular here!
The riverwalk is a great place for Icy and Phoebe to go exploring together.
Here's a short video of our evening stroll along the riverwalk:
HISTORIC TOWN, BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE
Lock Haven isn't exactly a bustling town. There are a few little shops and restaurants, but it's a very quiet little college town. That's what we love about it. It's peaceful and quiet, you can enjoy the riverwalk and lovely architecture without worrying about crowds or finding a place to park.
Beautiful architecture on this historic building in Lock Haven, PA
Some parts of the town seem kind of run-down, but there is still a lot of beauty to enjoy - especially that wonderful riverwalk!
Phoebe in front of the Clinton County Courthouse, built in 1869
There is some lovely architecture in Lock Haven, PA. Some of the buildings serve as student housing for Lock Haven University
WONDERFUL DOG FRIENDLY HOTEL IN LOCK HAVEN
During one of our cross country trips from Phoenix to New York we searched for a dog friendly hotel that was not too far from Interstate 80. I was so fortunate to find a pet friendly Best Western hotel in the town of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Finding this town and hotel were one of those happy accidents while planning a cross country road trip with two dogs! We've stayed at this Best Western hotel 4 times in the past couple of years and we love it. The staff is so friendly and accommodating, and they definitely welcome their pet guests!
Phoebe made herself right at home in our comfortable hotel room!
The rooms are updated, clean and very comfortable. They offer free breakfast too. The best thing about this hotel is that it's only a short walk from the hotel to the riverwalk. We've enjoyed all our stays at this Best Western hotel, and will definitely return soon! When I find a great hotel that really welcomes dogs I try to go back to it again and again on our many road trips with the dogs. In Summer, Lock Haven has a lot of events that take place along the riverwalk, such as the free Summer concert series that takes place on a floating stage right on the river! We love visiting Lock Haven Pennsylvania, it truly is a haven, and a nice break from surrounding big cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia! Pin This!
Have you found other dog friendly riverwalks? Tell us about it in the comments!
Want to get away for the holidays? We always love getting away right before Christmas, before all the holiday parties start and the house guests arrive. Even if it's just a simple long weekend, it helps us recharge and get ready for the crowds and chaos that typically starts by the 15th of December. It also gives us some fun alone time with our dogs! Here are a few of my favorite pet friendly getaways for the holidays.
Historic, Educational, and Fun Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
During the American Revolution, which lasted the from 1775 - 1783, ordinary citizens living in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia helped shaped our history. At the heart of Colonial Williamsburg is the area known as The Revolutionary City, a historic and educational re-creation of life in Colonial Williamsburg during that volatile time in our history.
Phoebe and I explored the Revolutionary City, a historic re-creation of life in Colonial Williamsburg during the American Revolution.
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my favorite holiday destinations in the Northeast. History comes alive in a fun way in the Revolutionary City! Christmas in this historic place is a beautiful sight. The decorations are gorgeous, most of which have a traditional and natural theme. One of the unique holiday decorations they are most known for are the beautiful, festive wreaths. These handcrafted wreaths often feature shells, dried native plants, and fruits such as pineapple, apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks and dried quinces. I'm getting hungry writing this! These ingredients may not sound spectacular when fashioned into a holiday wreath, but I can assure you these wreaths are a sight to behold! The artisans that create them are so talented and resourceful. Every wreath is totally unique. You can even buy one as you stroll through the city's re-creation of late 1700's life.
Colonial Williamsburg was named Best Town in America for Christmas Celebrations by Architectural Digest!
The Revolutionary City looks and feels so authentic. American “Colonists” not only dress in period costume, they wander the town in full character, re-enacting scenes of daily life during the period of America's Revolution. You may see someone standing on a wooden crate in the middle of the city, pontificating about the issues of the day. They will often engage with tourists in 1700’s conversation as well! One gentlemen approached us, eyeing our Siberian Husky, Icy, curiously. “That’s a fine looking animal you have there, sir!” and proceeded to make us an offer to purchase her for 100 quid! We had some really fun banter with him, explaining that our precious FurKid was NOT for sale, not even for a million quid! When I visit historic towns, one of my favorite things to do is take guided tours. Colonial Williamsburg has quite a few tours, one of them being aTavern Ghost Walk. The last time we were there, a small group of us met late in the evening for a guided Ghost Walk tour. We gathered in front of a historic tavern to begin the tour. Our guide fascinated us with bizarre ghost stories, where people have sworn they’ve seen and heard ghosts that still haunt the old buildings. It turns out the historic Revolutionary City, with many of it’s original buildings still in tact, has quite a haunted past!
Icy got chummy with this statue of a 1770's Colonial Williamsburg man!
It was wonderfully eerie as we walked thru the dark streets of the Revolutionary City by candlelight, while our guide recounted fascinating ghost stories. I highly recommend going on a Ghost Walk! If you're not up for ghost hunting by candlelight, there is lots more to do within the Revolutionary City. There are guided historic walks, decoration walks, and workshops you can attend. You can take an enchanting carriage ride through the City as well. There are several historic taverns to dine in and a cheese shop we loved! It's a great trip. It's historic, educational, and FUN! There are a couple of pet friendly hotels within the Revolutionary City. Dogs can stroll around the city with you and grab a bite to eat at the cheese shop - their outdoor patio is dog friendly. Dogs are not allowed inside most of the places especially since most are historic.
Christmas In New York City Is Spectacular!
What can I say about New York City during the holidays?! It is truly spectacular, pretty much everywhere you go in the city. The most popular sites are the amazing holiday window decorations at Macy's, Sak's, Lord & Taylor, and other famous retailers. And of course THE Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. The massive tree with ice skaters and the festively decorated plaza surrounding it is a sight to behold. There's a reason why the sights of NYC at Christmas time appears so frequently in movies and TV shows! The most popular things to do in the city during the holidays are gazing at all the decorations of course, seeing the Rockettes, attending a Broadway show, and visiting Central Park (but NOT after dark, please! It's not safe) Take a photo with your dog at the famous Balto statue in Central Park.
Believe it or not, New York City is very dog friendly! You wouldn't think so with all the crowds, traffic and expensive stores, but NYC actually loves dogs. They can't accompany you to a Broadway show, but there are lots of pet friendly hotels and stores all around the city. And Central Park is like a giant amusement park for dogs! Don't be afraid to take your pet along with you on a holiday trip to New York City, just be careful of massive holiday crowds, like in Rockefeller Center. Bring along a stroller for smaller dogs or carry your dog in these areas. Be mindful of your dog's tolerance for crowds and decide whether to even bring the dog along or not!
Santa Loves The Southwest too, Especially Sedona, Arizona!
I say this a lot and it's true, Arizona is the most dog friendly place I've ever been to! We lived in Phoenix for nearly 10 years and during that time we visited Sedona often. They don't do it up too much for the holidays, their decorating is a lot more subtle than New York City or Phoenix. Sedona, in the Northern part of Arizona, is all about the natural beauty of their stunning red rock region, and they don't like anything to take away from that.
Icy on one of the many beautiful dog friendly hiking trails in Sedona, AZ
It's still a wonderful place to visit during the holidays. It doesn't get swamped with people and there isn't any "hype". The weather is great in December, you can hike endlessly on hundreds of miles of dog friendly hiking trails and stop for lunch at an outdoor dog friendly cafe! You can take a Jeep tour or rent a Jeep yourself and go exploring in the desert. Some of the Jeep companies will allow your dog to accompany you! You can get some holiday shopping done too, finding lots of unique gift items to bring home. I absolutely love the little candle shop in town, where they craft beautiful unique candles, many in elaborate shapes and styles.
There are a lot of terrific art galleries in Sedona as well. The Tlaquepaque (pronounced Ta-Lok-A-Pok) arts & crafts village has lots of unique specialty shops and a few art galleries. It's a dog friendly village with several outdoor places to eat that welcome dogs on the patio. Dog friendly Sedonais one of my favorite places to be!
From the slopes to the seaport, New Hampshire is a Winter Wonderland
We love New England, and New Hampshire is one of the prettiest places to visit pretty much any time of the year. There are so many quaint little towns all up and down the New England coastline, most are decorated beautifully for the holidays.
Dog friendly hiking trail in the Waterville Valley ski resort area, New Hampshire
There are quite a few places to ski or snowboard in New Hampshire, mainly in the White Mountain region. You can stroll through quaint villages with your dog or hike along many dog friendly trails. We loved the dog friendly cross country ski trail in the Waterville Valley ski resort. Well, there you have it, some of my favorite places to spend time with our dogs at Christmas time! I hope you enjoyed reading about these dog friendly places. Check out our Travel With Dogs page for more fabulous Dog Friendly Destinations Icy and Phoebe recommend. I've included some tips for road trips with dogs and air travel with pets as well. Do you like to take a little downtime for yourself and your pets during the holidays? Tell us about it in the comments, we Love hearing from you!
I have always loved the Fall, but I'll admit I took it for granted year after year. Only after living in Phoenix, Arizona for nearly 10 years did I really appreciate the joy of a majestic Fall season. In Phoenix they joke that there are only two seasons; Hot and Hotter! Although we loved living in Phoenix, we soon missed the blazing beauty of the Autumn leaves. Even driving on the highways you can't help but be struck by Fall's gorgeous hues. The bright yellows, fiery reds, and deep rust tones create a stunning landscape against cool, crisp, sunny skies. Dogs love Fall too, so I've compiled this Guide to Dog Friendly Fall Adventures!
Enjoying the beauty of Fall with my dogs
I love outdoor activities with my dogs in every season. Each season is special, with it's own brand of fun things to do with your dog unique to that season. Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out. As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides! So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season!
Great Fall activities to do with dogs
Plan Fall adventures now before the beauty of Autumn is gone!
My dogs love outdoor Fall activities and Halloween treats!
FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR DOG
Be ready for outdoor Fall activities with dogs by having the right gear! For all that outdoor fun with the dog, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe!
Fall hike with my dog
The two activities I look forward to the most with our dogs are hiking and bike riding. We hike and bike in Summer, but heat and humidity often makes hiking and biking trips with the dogs short. Not so in the Fall, here's when we go all out!
BIKE RIDING WITH DOGS
Bicycle riding with your dog is a great activity, but you should do it safely. Dogs have a habit of getting too close to the wheels of the bicycle or crossing out in front of the bike. To avoid an accident I bought a Bicycle Leash for my Husky, Icy. A bike leash for dogs keeps your dog next to the bike and away from the wheels! I use the Walky Dog Plus bike leash, but there are others on the market. I couldn't find dog bike leashes in bicycle stores (weird, right?!), but a Google search pulled up several. Walmart, Chewy and Amazon have a couple of them online.
My dog Icy gets so excited when she see's my bicycle come out!
My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with Icy
You can usually bike ride from early Fall until December in the Northern U.S. In this video you can see how the bike leash keeps her at a safe distance from the bicycle.
Bike riding with your dog is not only a total blast, it has health benefits for both of you! Need more reasons to bike ride with dogs? Here are 6 Reasons To Bike Ride With Your Dog!
My dogs are very different in size, strength and endurance. I can't bike ride with both of them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog. That way both dogs could join in for bike rides and not feel left out. PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon sell bicycle baskets for small dogs (or other small pets) online.
A bicycle basket made specifically for small dogs or other small pets!
HIKING WITH DOGS
We've done so much fantastic hiking with our dogs, from Sedona, Arizona to Montauk, Long Island with tons of places in between! I have to say, hiking is probably my favorite activity to do with dogs. I love to get out and explore nature with my dogs. It's a great activity for the 4 of us to do together. Although my dogs are active at different levels, hiking is something they can easily do together. If Icy and my husband forge ahead, it's no big deal to stop and wait for me to catch up with my smaller dog.
DOG CLOTHING AND OUTERWEAR
When I think about my dogs being safe and comfortable during outdoor Fall activities, the first thing I think about is clothing and outerwear. Being a Siberian Husky, Icy pretty much never needs dog apparel of any kind! As soon as Fall weather arrives however, some small dogs get chilly. I always had to break out a sweater or jacket for my dog Phoebe when the weather turned cool. They have the cutest clothing for dogs, especially for smaller dogs.
My dog Phoebe in her Cheeta print sweater - I love the pink bow!
For cold Fall mornings, or if there's a chance of rain, your pooch might need a waterproof dog coat like this one. I love the adorable wool hood on this jacket!
Phoebe was always cozy warm in her hot pink Winter dog jacket
When we go on longer hikes, I often use a dog backpack for Icy. It helps with carrying gear like water bottles, snacks, bowls, and waste bags. It also helps reduce her pulling on leash! Many dogs pull on their leash. Using a backpack is one way some trainers recommend to reduce the pulling. Be sure to check with a trainer or pet store staff on how much weight is appropriate for your dog to carry in the pack, if any. The rule I've heard is to never put more than 10% of a dogs weight in a dog's backpack.
We often used a backpack for Icy on hikes. It helped keep her from pulling like the sled dog that she is! She can carry her water bowl, water, and snacks!
Some dogs may require less weight or none at all in a backpack. Check with your Veterinarian before using a weighted backpack on your dog for the first time. Here are more tips to get your dog to Stop Pulling On Leash. This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set. Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!!
Make sure you bring plenty of water on any outing with your dogs! Remember to bring along portable bowls and a water bottle.
SAFETY FIRST!
Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks! Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control likeBravecto which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew. Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.
Fall is prime Tick and Flea season! Make sure your dog is protected
If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs. A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.
Icy wears this Outward Hound life jacket when we're near water
I also like the Kurgo Surf 'n Turf life vest which doubles as a life vest or rain coat. It has 2 handles to help get your dog in and out of the water, and reflective trim. The flotation layer can be removed so the waterproof shell can be used as a raincoat!
If your Fall adventure with your dog involves a car ride or a weekend getaway, consider a Dog Carrier or Pet Crate and a Dog Safety Harness for the car.
PET CARRIERS AND CRATES
There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days. Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels. A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport. If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.
Phoebe loved her Sherpa pet carrier! I often left it open for her on the floor of my office so she could nap right next to me.
Outdoor Fall adventures with the dogs usually come with mud, sand, or dirt! For all those great outdoor Fall adventures with your pup, make sure you protect your car seats with a Car Seat Cover like this one from 4Knines! They come in all sizes to fit pretty much any vehicle you've got. 4Knines makes great car seats, I love our 4Knines back seat cover for our Honda CRV! Investing in a quality seat cover like the one we got from 4Knines is a great idea.
Outdoor adventures with dogs almost always involve mud, sand and dirt!
Even if you have a car seat cover don't forget to bring along Pet Wipes and a Towel or Paper Toweling. You'll probably wantto get the dirt off their paws before going back into the house after a day of outdoor fun & adventure! I always have pet wipes in the car and in my backpack, you just never know what your dog will roll in, step in, or swim in! If there's anything massively stinky to roll in, my dogs are sure to find it! One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit. I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit! It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself. I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day. It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm. No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!
You can find Pet First Aid Kits online, there are tons of them. You can also assemble one yourself. Make sure you have a bag or case fits well into a backpack or your overnight bag. We never leave home without a first aid kit for dogs!
In our Dog First Aid Kit we have antibiotic ointment, essential to prevent infection if our dogs cut themselves. I use Zymox Topical Cream with .5% Hydrocortisone. This cream is made specifically for pets and is used for wound care, hot spots, and skin infections. Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate. While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you. Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking! I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.
One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades. It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities. A Pet Costume parade is always fun. Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets! It's so inspiring.
Icy marched in our town's Pet Halloween Costume parade looking BOO-tiful in her Headless Horseman costume!
I'm sure this year's hottest Dog Halloween Costumes will be super heroes again, like Wonder Woman for the girls and Spider Man or Super Man for the boys. Do you dress your dog up for Halloween? What will your dog, cat, lizard, or other pet be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments!
I love the little skirt on this Wonder Woman costume, it's so cute!
You don't even have to leave your own yard to enjoy the beauty of Fall with your pet. Rake up the leaves in your yard and let your dog or cat play in them! Throw his favorite ball or toy into the pile and watch him have fun digging and jumping through the leaves to retrieve the prize. So what if you have to rake the leaves up again, it's worth it! Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze! I was unsuccessful last year. I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs! No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right? While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!
Pumpkin Spice flavor treats for dogs. Our pets should enjoy the flavors of the Fall season too!
If you have the time, you can make your own dog treats with Fall themed flavors like pumpkin, apple, or pear. Here's a simple, no bake Pumpkin Spice Dog Treat Recipe. I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall. I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round.
In the Fall I make my own pumpkin mush for them from fresh pumpkins we bring home. I add around a tablespoon of it to their food each morning. If you've never made fresh pumpkin mush yourself, you'd be surprised at how much pumpkin mush even a very small pumpkin can yield!
My dog Phoebe, surrounded by pumpkins at our town's Fall Festival!
🐾 After removing the seeds inside, I cut a fresh pumpkin into large chunks and boil until the pieces are soft. 🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl. You can puree it in a blender if you prefer. 🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer. Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.
Whatever you do to celebrate Fall with your dog, cat or other pet be safe and Have Fun!!
Sharing is Caring! If you enjoyed this post, we would really appreciate a social media share! 😍
Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Printable art prints, Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Holiday products, and more, all inspired by pets and nature.
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