when my hylda was still alive, we went to several pet friendly places. i lived in chicago at the time...she went to the dog beach, several sidewalk cafes where we had brunch, and a couple of neighborhood bars that allowed dogs too. even at wrigley field...the cubs have an annual bring your dog to the park day. she sat in the seat next to me and watched the game with me. it was great.

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So strange. I guess it is because I know my son is grown, and responsible and makes a good living and able to take good care of himself and his family that my main concern is about things like "What to do with my fur-kids while I have joint replacement surgeries?" (long recovery times and I need four of them!). And I think about dying and making sure I have things written out about their placement and care (or the pets of my future).

LOL, you have no idea how many times I tell my son- "You have to promise you will take care of Ranocchio (my little Frog Dog, Frenchie) and take the cats to Linda (my niece who loves cats)". He gives me a bad time and says... "See, you love them more than me!" But, I know he will do these things. He is a dog lover and has 2 sweet Labs.

I am someone that has spent all of my working life in working with people and in education- all "people jobs and careers." Yet, at this time in my life, I honesly like fur-people over humans most of the time! I have less and less patience with people! Sure, my dearest friends and family, I adore. But, being with my fur-sons is best! There is no way that I will even date a woman that doesn't love both dogs and cats. Don't care how supa' she is! No pet adoration, no date!

Being from Chi-town, I have also been to the dogbeach, bark in the park, outside cafe's, pet parades, etc. Heh.. even at Cubs park where they let my dog Thor try out for outfielder!

We've just arrived home from a week long visit to Somerset in the West Country. Not only were W/we able to take O/our two Yorkies with U/us - W/we stayed in a beautiful, 400 year old thatched roof cottage located in the prettiest of villages - but they were allowed into every single bar/restaurant that we went to, both there and in neighbouring villages, and would have been allowed into the majority of those that W/we didn't, judging from the 'Dogs welcome' signs outside. (Equally surprising was the fact that W/we could even take them into the Caves at Cheddar Gorge (free of charge) and on the Lynton/Lynmouth water powered cliff railway (again, free of charge).)

I tell you, there's a lot to be said for country living.

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I live in Florida and rent a house here. Have never had a problem with my dog being refused access. Apartments here generally have a size limit of 2o lbs. as well as a pet deposit, but do not charge a monthly rent for the dogs, generally. Rental houses generally charge a pet deposit and some have a size/breed restriction, but most just have breed restrictions.

Craigslist is a good place to look for rentals, just in case you do move to FL.

We just came back from two weeks in Europe (primarily Yorkshire, and Stow-on-wold)...amazing how everywhere (pubs, stores, Castles) allowed dogs! They are such a part of the culture and family in the country,:tea:

I live in a very pet friendly area - our "dog park" is a 7 acre bit of land owned by the city. They recently had a doggy halloween parade up there.
Its beautiful and a great place to take dogs. And there is an enormous bike-trail network that runs through all of the neighboring towns which, again, is fantastic for dog owners.

Both of my current work-places have an open-door dog policy; though dogs only come to work in the summer months at the school due to allergy issues during the school year.

Provincetown is also a fabulous dog-friendly town. I think it was voted 'most dog friendly town' in America in 2010. A huge number of hotels/motels/b&b's and cottage rentals allow dogs. Public beaches allow dogs (on leash), there is a dog park and many restaurants allow them in the al fresco dining areas.

Having traveled cross-country one way with two cats (so *not* fun for anyone, btw) and then back the other way with one dog....I was very impressed with Starwood Hotels (W, Westin, Sheraton etc); each place accommodated my pets graciously.

I agree. Very different from town/city living. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that out in the country, dogs are such a necessity in terms of warding of feelings of isolation? Plus, of course, dogs are also used for work purposes.

Either way, it's going to be hard to adapt to returning to an area where so many restrictions apply in terms of dog accessibility.

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