Going With The Dogs
Summer vacation ideas that let you play with your dogby Scott Rose
John Steinbeck wrote: "I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts." Steinbeck was himself nuts enough to drive from Maine to California in an elaborately outfitted vehicle with his dog; their journey is recounted in the book Travels with Charley.
Not every dog lover can have a mega-van built for travels with her canine companion, but an increasing number of vacation spots are geared towards people who want to take dog-inclusive trips. I spoke with several dog vacation spot business owners, concluding that these people are motivated by sheer love of dogs.
Jeannie Richter, director of Camp Gone to the Dogs (www.campgonetothedogs.com), sums up their spirit: "We're all about fun." The camps are held in classic New England countryside settings in Vermont. Camp sessions are seven days long; a summer camp is held towards the beginning of June and two fall camps are held in the first half of September.
Camp Gone to the Dogs' summer camp takes place on Marlboro College's 250-acre campus. As many as 55 daily activities are offered, all of them geared to strengthening the bond you have with your dog. Training courses, athletics, including agility training and freestyle Frisbee, are rounded out by some exotic offerings, such as sheep and goat herding lessons. Jeannie says one of the prize herders of the last few years is a Pug named Muggles.
The camp also offers stimulating lectures on topics of interest to dogs' guardians.
'Preventing and Solving Behavior Problems,' 'CPR and First Aid for Dogs,' and 'Nutrition' are just a few of the lectures available. Workshops and demos are offered featuring, for example, 'Canine Massage,' 'Spinning Dog Hair,' and 'Ttellington Touch and Animal Communication.'
Further activities include guided off-lead walks, a doggie costume party, and a hot dog retrieve. Will your pooch be able to bring a tossed frankfurter back to you without eating it? Some actually can!
Camp Gone to the Dog boasts of a staff of recognized dog experts including Bev Blanchard, Karen Fischer, Roy and Debbie Johnson and Sassie Joiris. Camp founder Honey Loring says this: "If your idea of a good time is having fun with your dog, learning new things, letting your pet's natural abilities shine and doing it all in a non-competitive atmosphere of dog-loving camaraderie, come join us."
The June camp is attended by 200 people and their dogs. Campers may stay on campus in single, double and triple dorm rooms or in woodsy cabins. Alternately, several area hotels welcome dogs and provide more luxurious amenities. The camp is proud of its 17-year-long tradition of serving excellent food and desserts, with meat and vegetarian options at all meals. "Nothing catered here," says Jeannie, "it's all freshly prepared." Of special interest to canines is the on-site pond open for dogs' swimming pleasure.
"All breeds are welcome, and all dogs can try all activities," says Jeannie. "We have paw tricks classes, agility classes, including agility for teacup breeds, tail wagging and kissing contests, dance classes, swimming lessons, tracking and so many more. Camp Gone to the Dogs is 100% positive, I might add."
Fall sessions at Camp Gone to the Dogs are more intimate in scale. Held at the Mountaineer Inn in Stowe, Vermont, they include activities such as gondola rides, woodland walks and pond swimming. Here again, the camp is proud to offer outstanding home-cooked meals. The Mountaineer Inn (www.stowemountaineerrinn.com) is a lovely facility, though campers are given the option of spending their nights at other area dog-friendly hotels.
The Paw House Inn in Killington, Vermont (www.pawhouseinn.com) is another major dog vacation destination. Their motto speaks volumes: "Some places accept dogs. Some places tolerate dogs. At the Paw House Inn, we cater to dog owners and their dogs." The Inn is housed in an historical farmhouse built in 1786 upon a marble foundation. Each room is individually decorated with bedding for people and pooches. Refined touches may include pillow-topped mattresses, a cherry wood four-poster bed, down comforters, a wood burning stove, and a dog bed with its own comforter and dust ruffle. Common areas of the Inn are marked by high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, wide planked hardwood floors and classic crown molding. Stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys are to be enjoyed from most vantage points in the Inn.
The Paw House Inn's grounds too are made for relaxation and fun. An outdoor sitting area is planted with lilac bushes over 200 years old, at a distance a brook babbles, and there are open fields for dogs to run and play, converted into an agility course during the spring and summer.
Open year-round, the Paw House Inn allows people to fully integrate dogs into their New England vacations without having a day-long structure as would a camp. Owner Mitch Frankenberg does point out, though, that they are now offering Paw House University Training with a Paw House certification program directed by leading expert Nathan Whitehorn. Among the subjects taught are behavior modification, nutrition, recreational agility and obedience training.
Dog-inclusive activities at the Paw House Inn include dog portraits, an outdoor Dog-In Movie Theatre with surround sound and snacks, and once annually in the fall a doggie mystery weekend. Asked about the mystery weekend, Mitch explains: "A writer composes a script, people play parts, it's intricate and fun, it includes a dog show during which something happens, and then a detective shows up. If I told you what that something was going to be, I'd ruin the mystery!"
For those times when you might want to explore the Killington area without your dog, the Paw House Inn maintains Mario's Playhouse. The facility is heated in winter, cooled in summer, nicely decorated and immaculately clean. Animal Planet television plays throughout. Geared to provide maximum comfort and safety for dogs, Mario's Playhouse is available at all hours, with special services such as walking, feeding, and play periods on offer between 10am and 4pm.
Activities in the area you may want to enjoy while your doggie romps in Mario's Playhouse include skiing, hang gliding, rock climbing, hiking, golf, art and theater, spa treatments, antique hunting and horseback riding.
In the mornings, the Paw House Inn serves a full country breakfast. Hearty and delicious, it might include homemade pumpkin waffles or an apple frittata. Organic ingredients are always used. Many restaurants in nearby Rutland, Vermont cater to the needs of Paw House Inn guests, particularly during the warm weather months when dogs are welcome at outdoor cafes.
In the 'dogs first' spirit, doggie guests at the Paw House Inn are greeted with welcome baskets full of treats. The cookie-making staff sees that your dog will never want for a 'Paw Lickin' Chicken' or 'Pea-mutt butta' snack. Summing up the Paw House Inn's goals, Mitch says: "It's about having your dog with you on vacation." For those times of year that are characteristically popular for Vermont vacations, such as President's Week, advanced reservations are highly recommended. And there's some good news; in about a year, a branch of the Paw House Inn will open in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
In Canada, Dog Paddling Adventures (www.dogpaddlingadventures.com) offers outdoorsy vacations for dogs and their guardians. Warm weather activities include dog-inclusive canoe trips while in the winter you and your dog can enjoy Skijoring, which basically involves your dog pulling you on cross-country skies. No prior expertise is required to participate; Dog Paddling Adventures have instructors who get you up and running on you and your dog's first day. Camping expeditions are lead by experienced staff, and attention is given that food served is of high quality.
Going on vacation with your dog strengthens your bonds and gives you many precious memories. Steinbeck knew about that kind of thing too; he wrote "Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased."
