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How California Couples Plan Romantic Getaways With Their Dogs
oday, Norm Goldman, Editor of the Dog Lover's Companion to
of href="http://www.Sketchandt the Dog Lover's Companion to the
avel.com" Bay area.
title="http://www.Sketchandtravel
.com"
target="_blank">www.Sketchandtrav
el.com and href="http://www.Bookpleasures.co about how California couples
m" routinely plan romantic getaways
title="http://www.Bookpleasures.c with their doggies.
om"
target="_blank">www.Bookpleasures
.com welcomes a most unusual
author, Maria Goodavage, former
USA TODAY correspondent.
Norm:
Maria is the author of The Dog's
Lover's Companion to California, Thank you Maria for consenting to
and she is also the originator of be interviewed by
the entire Dog Lover's Companion sketchandtravel.com and
series published by Avalon Travel bookpleasures.com. Could you
Publishing. please tell our audience
something about yourself and what
motivated you to write about dogs
and romantic getaways? Also, I
She will be coming out in the understand that your publisher
Spring 2005 with the 5th edition Avalon will be releasing in the
Spring-2005 a new edition of your you're gone. When you leave, if
book that will weigh in at around you're anything like me, you have
1000 pages. Could you briefly a heavy heart - certainly not a
tell our readers about this book? great way to start a romantic
weekend. Joe was such an expert
guilt giver that I began
researching places where he could
come along, whether on an
Maria: assignment or a fun weekend
getaway.
My Airedale terrier, Joe the Dog,
motivated me to start finding My first book on places to take a
places where dogs were allowed. dog came out a couple of years
Back in 1989, when he walked into later. It covered the San
my life, very few places allowed Francisco Bay Area, and the book
dogs. Every time I tried to leave sold so well that my publisher
home without him, whether to go asked if I could do a California
away on assignment for USA Today book. Joe and I traveled the
or spend relaxing weekend out of state, often with another dog or
town, I'd get "the look." two, and the result was the Dog
Lover's Companion to California,
which has been immensely popular
with California dog people.
Anyone who's ever had a dog knows
"the look." You don't want to see
it, and your dog knows how to
give it, regardless of the This spring (2005) the fifth
wonderful care he'll get when edition is coming out, and it's
the beefiest incarnation yet -
about 1,000 pages, thanks to the
tremendous increase in the number
of dog-friendly inns, Why would you want to take your
restaurants, and parks. Dog dog on a romantic getaway?
travel is scorching hot these
days, and the book size reflects
this.
Maria:
The book is a terrific guide for
anyone who has a dog in the Great question. Why would anyone
Golden State. We rate parks, want to take a dog on a romantic
beaches, and hikes on a scale of getaway? Why would you want to
one to four paws. We also bring along a furry creature that
describe hundreds of the most drools, scratches, and licks his
dog-friendly restaurants, hotels, private parts at inopportune
stores, wineries, and activities, times? That certainly doesn't
and include dozens of diversions sound very romantic, does it?
like ferry trips, train rides,
and kitschy roadside attractions.
If it is dog friendly, and we can
fit it, it's in the book. But barring these lovely doggy
habits, there's a lot to be said
for bringing a dog along on a
little romantic vacation. Dogs
have become an integral part of
our families, and it's hard to
Norm leave a family member behind in a
kennel or with a dog sitter. The of the most romantic destinations
guilt factor I mentioned earlier and inns in California roll out
really comes into play. And the red carpet for dogs? Can you
because so many places these days elaborate on this and tell us
welcome dogs, you can actually something about these inns, where
save money by bringing your dog they are located, how are the
along instead arranging for care. dogs accommodated, as well as the
any extra charges that may be
involved?
It's extremely common for
California couples to take a dog Maria:
on a romantic getaway. It's much
easier to bring a dog on one of
these vacations than to bring
along a human child. You can have Something I've noticed over the
your intimacy virtually without years is that the nicer the
interruption. Plus dogs give you locale, the better the chance
an excuse to get out and take that dogs are allowed. In fact,
those lovely little walks on the the top romantic destinations in
beach. California also happen to be
among the most dog-friendly. It's
counterintuitive until you
realize that these places want to
Norm: make their guests happy, and if
that means accommodating a dog,
they're often glad to comply.
You had mentioned to me that some
dog-friendly inns will receive
Think about it. Good dogs make our coveted Golden Bone Award.
great hotel guests. They don't We'll be awarding a record number
steal towels, and they don't get this year, because so many
drunk and keep the neighbors up lodgings and restaurants are
all night. As long as the dog's really rolling out the red carpet
person is responsible and brings for canines.
only a clean, well-behaved,
housetrained dog along and
doesn't leave her alone in the
room, it can be easier on the The top chains, including Loews,
room than a child would be. Dog Kimpton, Westin, and W hotels are
guests often have to pay an extra extremely accommodating to dogs.
fee or a deposit, but it's Most have programs where dog
usually quite reasonable. (The guests get various treats and
two examples from the book, which goodies, including dog beds,
I'm including below, have higher bowls, gourmet food and water,
fees than most but they're worth and sometimes even doggy
it.) And many lodgings still let massages. Kind of makes me wish I
dogs stay for free, although were a dog. I'd bring a date,
that's getting less common. get a massage, toast with some
gourmet water, crunch a few
high-class biscuits, and snuggle
up on my ultra comfy dog bed. But
Some inns simply allow dogs, with my travel budget, Motel 6 is
while others truly give dogs the often my home away from home. (A
royal treatment. This spring, tidbit for the budget romantic
with the publication of the new traveler: Every Motel 6 allows at
edition of The Dog Lover's least one pet per room. And as
Companion to California, the most Tom Bodett says, cheap rooms and
expensive rooms look the same four-legged friend. The hotel
with the lights off.) staff will help get you a pet
sitter, should you decide to
venture out on your own without
your dog. (We doubt your pooch
Smaller romantic inns abound, and will say "que sera, sera" to this
are definitely the favorite of idea. Carmel is so dog-friendly
most romantically inclined you can easily do the whole scene
couples with dogs. Here are a with him. But some very friendly,
couple of examples, taken from excellent pet sitters are
the upcoming edition of The Dog available through the hotel if
Lover's Companion to California. you can stand your dog's
hound-dog look when you leave.)
"· Carmel: Cypress Inn:
No two rooms are the same
here, but they're all enchanting,
Dogs get the royal treatment relaxing, and first-rate.
here, in part because actress and
animal activist Doris Day owns The rooms come with
this sumptuous hotel. The stately extras not offered by most
Moorish Mediterranean-style inn hotels, including fresh flowers,
is very elegant, with fine oak
floors and delicate antiques, but bottled water, fresh
you never feel out of place with fruit, your very own decanter of
your dog. Day's staff makes sure sherry, and occasional
your dog feels especially chocolates.
welcome, right down to offering
pet beds and pet food for your In addition, for an extra
fee you can partake in a can wag your tail.)
delightful afternoon tea in the
inns
gorgeous library bar. Perhaps the best feature for dogs
Dogs are even welcome to join you is that Mendocino Headlands State
for cocktails there. Park is pretty much the front
yard here. It's a terrific place
to explore with your leashed dog.
"· Mendocino: Mendocino
Seaside Cottage:
If you like an inn that caters to
Don't be fooled by the name: This Romance (yes, with a capital R),
is no little cottage, but a large this is the place for you: "You
ocean side inn with four spacious are a Special Valentine 365 Days
suites and a separate cottage a Year," touts the inn's aptly
that's almost exclusively for named web site,
pets and their people. How's this romancebythesea.com. The phone
for a rule reversal: "People number even has the word "heart"
without pets may be able to stay, in it. The suites have a
with only by special honeymoon bent and a pretty feel
arrangement," says inn owner that might not go well with a
Linda. Dogs wag their tails hard certain large yellow lab I know
when stay here: They get a gift (I shall mention no names, Jake),
basket with treats, a food, and but dogs of the toy variety look
other goodies. Is it your dog's perfect here. Actually, any size
birthday? You get a 10 percent well-behaved dog is welcome at
discount on your stay. (Now you the inn. "We love all pets," says
Linda. "As long as their people
are well behaved." Maria:
Humans also get the royal Not only have I attend one, I've
treatment, with chocolates, fresh been the bride in one! My husband
flowers, and champagne or (Craig Hanson) and I met through
sparkling cider waiting in the our dogs. He was taping a piece
guest rooms. Suites and the on my Bay Area book for the local
cottage have a featherbed, NBC TV affiliate, and he brought
fireplace/wood stove, spa tubs, along his dog and I brought along
and ocean or park views. mine. The dogs hit it off, and so
did we. When the afternoon of
shooting the segment was done, he
asked if I'd be interested in
Norm: going for a dog walk sometime.
That was one dog walk I really
looked forward to!
You have also indicated that
there are wedding chapels in
California where your dog can be
at your side when you get Many dog walks (and a couple of
hitched. Have you ever attended years) later, we married on our
one of these weddings and could old fishing boat, in San
you describe how this works in Francisco Bay. The Golden Gate
practice? Where are these chapels Bridge was behind us, San
situated? Francisco sparkled in the
distance. The dogs who started
all this were a big part of the
wedding. His dog, Nisha, was generally where you have horse
flower girl and wore a wreath of and carriage rides that allow
flowers around her neck. Joe was dogs (and many do), there's a
the ring bearer, with the ring dog-friendly wedding chapel not
tied to his collar in a purple far away.
velvet pouch. He was never one
for boating, and he ended up
hiding under my wedding dress,
which was very amusing. That's In addition to chapels, there are
the photo I sent you. Our countless other locales where
daughter, Laura, loves thumbing your dog can be at your side on
through our little wedding album your wedding day. Outdoor
to see this photo of Joe peeking weddings, boat/yacht weddings,
out from under mom's dress. and weddings at a house or a
dog-friendly hotel are a few
options.
Not everyone wants to get married
on an old fishing boat. Many
wedding chapels around the state Dogs in weddings are so common
welcome dogs to participate in these days that all it takes is a
weddings, or at least witness Google of "dogs" and "weddings"
them. The Tahoe area has several, and you'll come up with plenty of
as does Monterey and the Big Bear advice and ideas. Here's a link
Lake area in San Bernardino to a fun, informative article on
County. Dog-friendly wedding the do's and don'ts of letting
chapels actually dot the state, your dog be your ring bearer.
but we can't list many in the
book because of space
constraints. I've noticed that
model-actress Jackie Titone,
Norm: Meatball dressed in a tux and
yarmulke and trotted down the
aisle with the ring on a pillow
on his back. (Sadly, Meatball
I understand there have been died of a heart attack the
several celebrities who have had following year, at the young age
their dogs as best man, flower of 4.)
girl etc, could you name some of
these celebrities and perhaps
describe some of these
ceremonies? Norm:
Maria: If you had to choose five of the
most unique and romantic
destinations in California where
you can bring your dog, which
This all started ages ago. Kitty ones would you choose and why?
Carlisle's wedding to playwright
Moss Hart in the 1940s had many
dogs in attendance, to the dismay
of her mother. Various celebs Maria:
have had their dogs at their side
since, but probably the most
well-reported canine ring bearer
in the new millennium has been The reasons I chose the following
Adam Sandler's bulldog, Meatball. five are pretty similar: An
At Sandler's 2003 nuptials to abundance of exquisite,
dog-friendly accommodations,
restaurants, and walks, and • San Diego/Coronado area
drop-dead gorgeous surroundings.
Four of my top five are on the
coast, which works out well for
those romantic walks on the Napa isn't on the coast, but the
beach. And all are spectacular wine makes up for that, don't you
year round. think?
From north to south: Norm:
•Mendocino Are there any other places in the
world that you know of where dogs
are as welcomed in resorts and
inns as California?
•Napa Valley
Maria:
• Carmel
From what many of my readers have
• Santa Barbara told me, France is a close
contender, but I've never
traveled there with my dogs (they
don't speak the language), so I if it does, Californians could
don't speak from experience. have a 2,000-page edition of my
book on their hands in a few
years, and that will just never
do in the glove compartment.
The US is coming along nicely in
the dog-friendly department. My
books have launched a nationwide
series of Dog Lover's Companions
on great doggy destinations,
including Florida, New England, Thanks once again Maria for your
Chicago, Washington, D.C., and most interesting perspective on
New York. These books all feature romantic getaways with our
many wonderful inns that welcome doggies
dogs.
And thank you, Norm. It's been
I hope this trend of fun!
dog-friendliness continues, but
About the Author:
Norm Goldman is editor of www.sketchandtravel.com and www.bookpleasures.com.
Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique couple in that they meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.
You can read more about them on their site, sketchandtravel.com
Norm and Lily are always open to receive invitations to romantic destinations in the New England states and Florida
Source: www.isnare.com
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