A GUIDE TO DOG FRIENDLY FALL ADVENTURES

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 Fall 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 loved 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 got so excited when my bicycle came out!

My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with a dog

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 my dog 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 couldn't bike ride with them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog. That way two 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 like Bravecto   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 want to 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.

🐶Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Useful Printables like a Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Packing Checklist for Dogs and more, all inspired by pets and nature.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Dogs & Pets

Packing List For Pets

Pet Health Tracker 

HAPPY FALL!!

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! 😍

Remember Me Thursday; The Dogs Who Don't Get Adopted

Thank goodness for No Kill shelters and the lost or abandoned pets lucky enough to end up in one.  However, so many lost, abandoned, or surrendered dogs, cats, and other pets don't end up in shelters that are No Kill.  They don't end up in the places that will keep them until a home can be found no matter how long it takes. These unlucky pets are in a place where the clock never stops ticking.  They are running out of time.

Please HELP shine a light on all the pets waiting in shelters to be adopted

On REMEMBER ME THURSDAY we remember and honor the pets that have run out of time and lost their lives in animal shelters that live by the clock.  

People ask Why?  Why can't we save them all?  It's a question with no clear answer.  My question isn't just Why can't we save them all, but Why do so many pets end up without homes in the first place? and What is the root cause of this problem? Those are my questions.  There is no one answer, there are a variety of reasons pets end up homeless.  Some reasons are valid, many are senseless.  

I rescued my beautiful girl Phoebe from a county shelter in Arizona.  She had an extreme fear of men, but with patience, love, and a little time she blossomed into the most loving, friendly dog!  She is such a joy, I'm so glad she joined our family.

The reality is that  homeless animals are suffering in shelters through no fault of their own.  The reality is that every day, many of these homeless dogs, cats, and other homeless pets die in shelters because they have run out of time.  

Today, on REMEMBER ME THURSDAY, we remember those animals and try to raise awareness of their plight.

Adorable Gracie is still waiting for a loving home

ENTER the #RememberTheRescue CONTEST!!

The #RememberTheRescue Challenge is a social media photo contest where rescue pet parents tweet and post pics of their beloved adopted pets. Participants then nominate their favorite pet adoption organization or facility to WIN one of three awesome prize packages of Cash, Food and Toys!  

Upload a photo of your awesome rescue pet to shine a light on adoptable pets everywhere.  Your entry could WIN your favorite pet rescue organization life-saving funds and food (and toys too)!

You can enter the contest by clicking on the #RememberTheRescue Challenge link above to upload a photo or video and fill out the entry form.  You can also enter by posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtags #RememberTheRescue AND #RememberMeThursday. You must also visit the RememberMeThursday.org/contest web page to complete your Twitter and Instagram entries by providing your submission information. You have until September 30th the enter the contest!

Do you, or someone you know, have room in your heart and your home for any of these dogs, who have still not found forever homes?

Gracie has been waiting a long time for a home.  You can find her at the Bideawee animal shelter in New York. 

Handsome Pace has been waiting for a home since early 2016.  This goofy, energetic guy was transported from Alabama, but is currently in the Bideawee shelter in New York.

These two photos are of ICE, who has been waiting since early 2015 for a home!  She's a beautiful Hound mix who lived her life outdoors, chained to a tree day and night.  Her owner surrendered her when the weather became too cold for Ice to reasonably remain outdoors.  Ice knows basic the commands Sit, Down, Stay, and Drop It.  Living in a cage for over 2 years is no way for a dog to live, she desperately needs a home!

You'll find ICE waiting for a loving home at the  Town Of Hempstead Animal Shelter in New York.  Sadly, this beautiful girl is the 4th longest resident at the shelter.

Please share to help these dogs find homes.  They deserve to be loved and have been waiting far too long for loving homes.

Dogs Playing in Fall Leaves

FALL, WHERE ARE YOU??  

It's been in the 80's in New York for the last two weeks, c'mon Mother Nature hit us with some FALL already!

Phoebe loves play in the leaves!

If you love Fall as much as we do .....

Fall, or Autumn as some prefer, is a great time to take a special trip with your dog.  The Summer crowds have thinned out and the weather is cool and crisp.  

🐶 How about a Fall trip to dog friendly Montauk  or The Hamptons in New York?  
🐶 History buffs that love witches, ghosts, and goblins, can bring the dog along on a "Witch Hunt" in Salem, Massachusetts.  
🐶 A weekend getaway to historical Colonial Williamsburg is a fun and educational vacation for the whole family.  

🐶 If you're on the West coast, Fall is the perfect time to visit Sedona, Arizona.  The scenic beauty will literally take your breath away!  The miles and miles of dog friendly hiking will keep your dog's tail wagging with sheer joy. 

We took Icy and Phoebe to all these places, each one warmly welcomed our dogs!

What is your dog's favorite activity to do in the Fall? Please leave us a comment and share!

Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

Have you ever taken your dog on a Doggie Sunset Boat Cruise?  Some of you may remember me saying that one of my goals this Summer was to take my dogs out on a boat. Icy and Phoebe have never been on a boat before and that was one of my top adventure goals for them.  But life got hectic and the Summer flew by so fast, I didn't make that goal.

Phoebe's First Boat Ride!

Phoebe's first Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

When I heard about a Doggie Sunset Cruise not too far from our house, it sounded like the perfect first step to finally getting my dogs out on the water!  I had planned to take both Icy and Phoebe on the boat ride, but at the last minute I decided to take just Phoebe. I wanted to see what it was like before bringing Icy along.  Phoebe is so easy, she only weighs 11 lbs and virtually nothing phases her.   For a first step in getting my dogs out on a boat, I felt a larger boat with a smaller dog was the right way to go!

Our boat for the Doggie Sunset Cruise on Captain Lou's Fleet in Freeport, New York

WHAT DOES ONE WEAR ON A DOG FRIENDLY BOAT CRUISE?

I wasn't asking that question for me, I was wondering what Phoebe should wear?  We had just been to Jones Beach a few days before and although it's end of season, the surf shop was still open.  They had some onesies for babies on sale at half price -  what luck!  I found this adorable Jones Beach Lifeguard onesie in a 6 months size.  I just cut off the bottom part that snaps and voila!  Phoebe had a cute nautical themed shirt.  Doesn't she look adorable!?  I think red is her color.

Phoebe looked adorable in this Jones Beach Lifeguard shirt, perfect for her first boat ride

As we explored this part of the boat deck, it kind of reminded me of that famous scene in the Titanic movie - you know the one I mean!  If I had a giant blue diamond necklace I'd have pitched it overboard, just for the romance of it! 

Standing out way out on above the water reminded me of the Titanic movie!

I didn't have a giant blue diamond necklace on me, so we just enjoyed the view from the front of the boat, the part that sticks way out into the water - I think that's called the "bulbous bow"?  Any boat experts out there know if that's the right name for what we're standing on in these two photos?

MAKING NEW FRIENDS ON THE BOAT

Phoebe loved meeting this beautiful little dog named Miracle out on deck.  She's the sweetest girl!

Phoebe made lots of other doggie friends too! Most of the dogs were really relaxed and friendly. Here's Phoebe chillaxin' with a small group of seaworthy dog friends she met on the boat.  I loved that so many of the dogs were dressed in nautical themed outfits - check out the tiny sailor hats on the two Shih Tzu's on the right!  I have GOT to get one of those hats for Phoebe's next ocean excursion!

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN ON THE HARBOR

As the sun set, we cruised past the beautiful lights shining from homes and restaurants along the harbor.  It was so calm and peaceful with the lights reflecting off the water.

Sailing along Freeport harbor, enjoying beautiful lights on the water during our dog friendly boat cruise

It was a little intimidating when we cruised under the drawbridge they had to raise for our boat to fit underneath it.  Especially since they alert everyone with a really loud siren just before the bridge goes up - I didn't realize what was happening at first!  I've lived on Long Island my whole life, but I honestly have never gone beneath a drawbridge as it was going up.  It's pretty cool as you pass directly under the bridge and look UP!

Drawbridge going UP!!

Although it was overcast that evening, we still saw a lovely sunset!  I'm so glad we finally got out on the water with at least one of our dogs.  I can't wait to go again, and I hope to get Icy on a boat soon too!

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We enjoyed seeing the sun set from the boat deck on our Doggie Sunset Cruise

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If you enjoyed this post, you may like my PET TRAVEL posts.  I share tips and information from travel adventures with our dogs.  You might find your next pet travel destination there!

If you're taking your dog out on a boat, especially a smaller boat, check out these Boating Safety Tips for Pets.

Have you ever been on a boat with your pets?  Tell us about it in the comments.  We love hearing about your pet adventures!

Discovering New Dog Friendly Places!

We love discovering new dog friendly places with our dogs Icy and Phoebe!

We loved the beautiful walking paths at Dix Hills Park!

Peek A Boo, We See You Icy!

Phoebe's loving all those new SMELLS!!

We're so happy we discovered this local park that allows dogs on their beautiful walking paths!  Dog friendly Dix Hills Park is in Long Island, New York.

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Dog Friendly Dix Hills Park, Long Island NY

I'm always complaining that Long Island, New York isn't dog friendly.  We joke that their "No Dogs Allowed" signs must be the official sign of Long Island.  We joke that the guy who makes these signs must be a mega-millionaire!   For the most part we still feel that way, but recently things have started to change.... slightly.

Recently, our township ruled that the majority of parks in our town would now allow dogs - Woo Hoo!!  Throw the confetti & start the parade!  Lest we get too giddy with glee however, it was noted that the beautiful little park one block away from my house is NOT on the list.  State parks are also excluded from this decree.  But hey, we're not greedy!  We'll bask in the glory of more access to most of our town's parks for now.

Icy and Phoebe can hardly contain their excitement over the new town rule, finally allowing (leashed) dogs in most of the parks!

In celebration of this small victory, we decided to check out a new park not far from where we live. Dix Hills Park is a lovely town park with a Golf Course, Pool, and shaded walking path.

Look at this patch of moss I discovered!!  I'm going to ROLL in it before Mom tries to stop me - Ha, Ha!

Icy and Phoebe were so excited to explore a new park.  All those glorious new smells!!

Phoebe had a ball sniffing and exploring everything along the trail!

We enjoyed the beautiful, long, shaded walking trail with the dogs at Dix Hills Park

We had so much fun!  We are definitely keeping Dix Hills Park on our list of favorite walking trails!

There is an organization on Long Island that works to get more access to public recreational places for dogs.  They did a great job convincing our town to finally make many of it's parks dog friendly. I think their success in getting a large chunk of parks to allow dogs came because they focused on people as well as dogs.

When trying to get local officials to allow dogs in public recreational areas, most of the time the focus is on the dogs.  They focus on how important it is for DOGS to get out and walk, exercise, and enjoy public places. While that is certainly important, I think when you also focus on how important it is for PEOPLE to be able to enjoy these places along with their dogs, public officials take more notice. 

Pointing out that dogs motivate people to get out and use public spaces more, and that doing so can positively impact a person's health, makes legislators see it as a benefit to the community.

The HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) has been touting this fact for years. HABRI calls it The Pet Effect.  They have conducted lots of research that shows how pets have a positive impact on human health in so many ways, both physically and mentally.

I'm a huge believer in pets having a positive impact on human health.  If it weren't for our dogs, we wouldn't walk and hike nearly as much as we do.  We get off our butts and do it for them more than for us!

The more people have an opportunity to get out and walk, hike, bike, or run with their dogs the more it can have a positive impact on their physical health.  Dogs motivate people to get out and MOVE!  Research also shows that pets are one of the reasons many people quit smoking.  They don't want to negatively impact the health of the pets with second hand smoke.

If you're working to get your local officials to provide more access for dogs in public recreational areas, include the benefits to people not just pets in making your case.  

Reference the research and Info-Graphics you'll find on HABRI's web site.  You can probably even contact them and ask for advice on materials you can share to help make your case.  You may have better results getting more access to public places by including the benefits to people as well as pets. 

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy My Dogs Excellent Beach Adventure in Gardiner's Park & Beach.






Does your community allow dogs in most public parks and other public recreational places?  Leave us a comment and share!  We love hearing your thoughts.