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HAPPY TAILS
Author(s): Bess Hochstein, Globe Correspondent Date: October 3, 2004 Page: M1 Section: TravelAUSTERLITZ, N.Y. Ten minutes into the hike up Harvey Mountain in Austerlitz, N.Y., and Sydney was struggling on the trail. His arthritis was acting up, he had skipped breakfast, and he was having trouble keeping up with his group. It was clear he needed to stop for a rest, a drink, and a bite to eat. So his companion, Michaela Hewett, pulled a bottle of water from her daypack, poured a bit into a collapsible bowl, and placed it on the ground along with a snack. Sydney, a beautiful red chow-golden retriever mix, lapped it all up. There were other laggards on the trail that sunny June day. Thor, a Pomeranian, and Bruiser, a Chihuahua, both in the company of 38-year-old Manhattanite Jenni Graham, stopped midway while the rest of the pack of 17 humans and 16 dogs carried on. Hoover, another Chihuahua, got a lift up the mountain in a pint-sized pooch papoose worn alternately by Yvonne Thomas and her husband, Joel Wheatley, a Brooklyn couple in their 30s. Every other dog in the pack, including a bouvier, two shelties, and numerous lovable mutts, easily made it up the gentle 2-mile ascent under their own power, either on leash or off, depending on their human companions' comfort level with having a city dog run free in the woods. At the summit, man and beast alike were treated to a refreshing breeze, a much-deserved picnic lunch, and spectacular views of the Taconic and Berkshire mountains under clear skies. It was a fitting day for the "Best Friends Weekend" organized by New York City-based Blue Sky Dogs, the Canine Adventure Co. Blue Sky Dogs is the brainchild of Tammy McCarley, 32, a former sports marketing professional who was inspired to create a dog-related business when she adopted Sienna, a golden retriever-chow puppy, in 2002. "I've had dogs all my life," McCarley said, "and I was interested in starting some type of dog business, although I wasn't sure what. I knew I didn't want to walk dogs too boring for me and I was thinking about a treat business or something similar, even a retail store." The adventure idea germinated when she and her boyfriend, Chris Schempp, were exploring recreational getaways with Sienna. "Chris and I love to travel on the weekends and we're big outdoors people," she said. "We were trying to go places with Sienna and discovered that she loved hiking. Hiking with her made me realize that city dogs get so few opportunities to experience natural environments and basically get away from the cement and have a great time. I knew at that moment that this was the beginning of a really good idea." The concept blossomed last fall with "Adventure Days," recreational day trips to wilderness areas or beaches within a short drive of New York, where a small group of dogs would run, swim, and pal around in a natural setting without their owners. Blue Sky Dogs provides canine-safe transportation, high-quality treats, fresh drinking water, and hours of doggy fun. At the end of the day, Fido's desk-bound owner gets a well-exercised dog and digital photos of Fido's adventure. McCarley next introduced "Slumber Parties," overnight boarding at her apartment. "Best Friends Day Trips" soon followed. "As soon as I started the hikes for dogs, people told me that they wanted to go along, too," so McCarley began to lead hiking trips and other getaways for dogs and their people to canine-friendly locations within a two-hour drive of the city such as state parks, vineyards, and beaches. Blue Sky Dogs evolved further to offer dog-friendly travel planning and "Best Friends Weekends." McCarley reserves a block of rooms at exceptionally dog-friendly inns and bed-and-breakfasts, coordinates transportation, and organizes a full slate of recreational activities. On the Berkshires hiking weekend, dogs and their humans were guests at the Shaker Mill Farm Inn, just over the Massachusetts border in Canaan. Even though other guests were staying at the inn for a nearby wedding, dogs had full run of common rooms in the rustic, converted Shaker mill dating to 1834. Said innkeeper Ingram Paperny, "We have a tradition of being available to dogs and their companions. We're delighted to have them. Our policy is dogs are welcome. Children please inquire." After the Harvey Mountain hike, the dogs seemed delighted to roam free across the meadows near the inn, splash in the stream, or paddle in the pond. Their owners agreed unanimously to forgo the afternoon hike; instead, they lounged on the Shaker Mill's grounds and watched their pets play. McCarley also provided evening entertainment. After dinner, naturalist Richard Guthrie, who identified plants and bird calls during the hike, presented a slide show of local and migratory birds. Later, he took advantage of the cloudless night sky, free of urban light pollution, to identify the shimmering constellations and planets. Blue Sky Dogs' second Best Friends Weekend this summer was a canine canoeing adventure in the Catskills. This trip proved so popular that Blue Sky Dogs filled the River Run Bed and Breakfast Inn, a Victorian mansion in Fleischmanns, and booked spillover rooms at the Highlands Inn B&B across the street. (While the River Run is dog-friendly, Highlands generally does not allow pets. It made an exception for McCarley, though, and will continue to accommodate Blue Sky Dogs in the future.) The canoeing weekend represented Blue Sky Dogs' return to the River Run (McCarley held her first Best Friends Weekend hiking trip there last March) and the group's maiden voyage on water. Before putting in Saturday morning, everyone listened to a safety lecture. (McCarley, certified as an instructor in pet first aid by the American Red Cross, is extremely safety conscious.) All dogs and humans wore life preservers during their paddle on Lake Oneonta, which proved fortuitous since one canoe capsized, leaving Graham, Bruiser, and Thor afloat with another guest and two black Labrador retrievers. After lunch on shore, guests had the option of more canoeing, a short hike, or fishing. Then it was back to the inn for a barbecue dinner. Saturday evening concluded with entertainment by local folk singer-guitarist Charity Valk. In-room massages were also available at extra cost. By that time, everyone was dog-tired. Michaela Hewett, a financial consultant from Manhattan, and her pup, Sydney, have signed up for every Best Friends Weekend to date. "It's a great way to spend a weekend with Sydney in a dog-friendly atmosphere," Hewett said. "I don't have to worry that he will offend anyone since everyone on the trip is a dog person. Additionally, it's a nice way to meet people who have common interests. And we go places I might not go otherwise. I had never been to the Berkshires, and only once before to the Catskills. Plus, it's nice to have someone else do all the organization and research." McCarley says it's not just the dog-friendly locales that keep her clients coming back. "You could always plan a weekend away with a bit of effort, but once you arrive, there may not be another dog in sight. I think people enjoy the opportunity to socialize their dogs in a more relaxed environment, and they get to enjoy being pampered for the weekend, too," she said. "Also, information about dog-friendly accommodations and things to do in specific areas is fragmented and unstructured. The challenge is putting it all together without prior knowledge of the area and feeling confident that you've organized a good weekend away before you go." McCarley does say the term "dog-friendly" is subject to interpretation. "Some inns or hotels require that a dog be kept in a kennel or dog crate when not with the owner in their room," she said. "We don't call that dog-friendly. We once stayed at a `dog-friendly' inn that wouldn't let us open our dog's canned food downstairs because of its smell. Is that `dog-friendly'?" There will be a lot of dog food cans being opened at inns throughout New England this fall. McCarley has a full slate of Best Friends Weekends planned across the region, including a Howlin' Hound Halloween weekend in the Catskills with a dog and owner costume party, and a November two- or three-day getaway at the Two Dog Lodge in Stowe, Vt., including a visit to Stephen Huneck's Dog Mountain and the Dog Chapel. (See story Page M11.) As McCarley sees it, demand for dog-centered retreats will only grow. "More people are acquiring pets, and people are spending more money on their pets every year," she said. "Empty nesters and single people are getting pets, versus several years ago when they would have been traveling more and would decide against a pet. I think it's related to Sept. 11 and the need for people to feel close to others and to develop that attachment and dogs are an endless source of affection and love." According to McCarley, increasing numbers of hotels, motels, and inns now accept pets, as do shops and parks. "We are receiving an overwhelming response from people who want to travel and spend quality time with their dogs," she said. "I'm sure that desire has always been there because as all of us who own pets know, they are members of the family. I do think we're at the tip of the iceberg in terms of dog-friendly travel; we're positive it's only going to continue to grow well into the future." SIDEBAR:
IF YOU GO. . .
Blue Sky Dogs Best Friends Weekends at various times and locations; dog-friendly travel planning 212-531-3647 www.blueskydogsny.com Provides detailed directions to all of its Best Friends Weekend sites and arranges carpooling, if possible. Transportation arranged for an additional fee. What to do Hike, play, relax, dine, have a massage or participate in other activities arranged by Blue Sky Dogs, all in the company of your dog and other canine companions. Where to stay and eat Blue Sky Dogs provides rooms for dogs and their owners at canine-friendly inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and small hotels. Prices vary according to dates, locale, and activities. The Berkshires Hiking Weekend costs $445 for one person with one dog, $835 for two people with one dog, including meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast plus guided hikes and entertainment, drinks, and goodie bags for dogs and humans. Small fee for children and additional dogs. Resources Many books provide information and advice on dog-friendly lodgings, from campgrounds to luxury resorts, in New England and beyond. Some also list nearby animal clinics, dog parks, pet shops, and dog-friendly activities and attractions. "Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook" (AAA Publishing, 2004) "Dogfriendly.Coms United States and Canada Dog Travel Guide" by Tara Kain (Dogfriendly.Com Inc., 2004) "Great Vacations for You and Your Dog, USA, 2003-2004" (Martin Management, 2003) "The Pet Travel and Fun Authority of Best-of-State Places to Play, Stay & Have Fun Along the Way: 35,000+ Accommodations, Pet Sitters, Kennels, Dog Parks & Camps, Beaches, Boating, Skiing, Festivals, Events, Attractions, Pet Bakeries, Tons-of-Pet Fun & More Guide!" by M.E. Nelson (Annenberg Communications Institute, 2001) "Dog-Friendly New England: A Traveler's Companion" by Trisha Blanchet (Countryman Press, 2003) "Pets Welcome New England: A Guide to Hotels, Inns & Resorts That Welcome You & Your Pet" (Four Paws Press, 2002) "Pets on the Go: The Definitive Pet Accommodation and Vacation Guide" by Dawn Habgood and Robert Habgood (Dawbert Press, 2002) "The Dog Lover's Companion to New England" by JoAnna Downey et al. (Avalon Travel Publishing, 2001) "Fodor's Road Guide USA: Where to Stay With Your Pet" by Andrea Arden, Emmanuelle Morgan (Fodor's Travel Publications, 2001) Several websites cater to pet-loving travelers. Some require membership, these are free. www.takeyourpet.com www.dogfriendly.com www.petswelcome.com More camps for you and your dog Camp Gone to the Dogs, various sites in New England: www.campgonetothedogs.com Dog Days of Wisconsin: www.dogcamp.com Camp Dogwood, Illinois and Michigan: www.campdogwood.com Camp Winnaribbun, Lake Tahoe, Nevada: www.campw.com Glen Highland Farm, Morris, New York: www.glenhighlandfarm.com
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