Month: <span>June 2022</span>

Two people share a wooden dock that extends over a wide lake, known locally for its dog-friendly access. One person crouches at the edge, hands outstretched toward the water, while the other stands nearby, smiling. The surface of the lake reflects distant mountains and a pale blue sky with occasional clouds.

Wild Blue Dog Camp

Still Booking for September 7-13, 2020   Does it break your heart to leave your best buddy behind when it comes to vacation planning? Then your vacation dream has come true! Wild Blue Dogs is hosting two amazing camps this summer in gorgeous Lake Tahoe. Wild Blue Dogs is a non-profit organization raising awareness and funding for canine cancer treatment.   Bailey at Wild Blue Dog Camp Wild Blue Dogs will be hosting two week-long dog camps (summer and fall) — held on the South Lake Tahoe waterfront, in a fenced, 33-acre campground. Wild Blue dog camps offer a full schedule of fun, training and camaraderie in activities ranging from agility and kayaking to nose work and dog photography. All activities and classes are taught by certified and professional trainers, and hikes are led by experienced trail guides. The choices are diverse, ranging from hiking to tricks, rally, recall, tracking, water sports, fun & easy training methods and more.   Dock Diving   Wild Blue Dogs is proud to announce the addition of several fantastic internationally known Trainers to our staff. Michael Shikashio will be joining us for Fall Camp, as will Moira Hechenleitner. Kelly Keebler, Lynda Piercy, & Terry Goodwin will be joining us in Summer Camp! We are so fortunate to have them! Camp sessions can be all-inclusive with meals and lodging or arrange your own offsite lodging and enjoy our meals and activities.   Coursing at Wild Blue Dog Camp   Register Early and Save! Several price points for Wild Blue camps are offered, depending on lodging choice. There is an early-bird discount of $150 for those who make their deposit for the fall camp by April 30. Refer a friend (or friends) and get a $100 discount for each one. There are limited reservations still available for both camps, but are filling up fast, especially the spring camp.   Arne and Bentley at Wild Blue Dog Camp   What is Wild Blue Dogs? Cancer is the number one killer of dogs. Six million dogs will be diagnosed this year alone and most will die within the year. Wild Blue’s need-based treatment program offers grants to people lacking the resources to pay for their pet’s cancer treatment. Fundraising activities include two, week-long dog camps plus other fun get-togethers throughout the year. Wild Blue Dogs supports research in comparative oncology, which is focused on the link between cancer in dogs and cancer in humans. By finding ways to treat dogs we are also finding the most promising advances in treatment, including new drug therapy, gene therapy, immune system therapies, bone marrow transplants and advanced surgical techniques.
Taking a walk in Gilroy

Sniff your way to the garlic capital of the world

Gilroy is a pet-welcoming destination that makes a great getaway any time of year.  The "Garlic Capital of the World" features outstanding restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, outlet shopping, and plenty of outdoor adventures for you and your four-legged friends. Start by booking a pet-friendly hotel room at Best Western Plus Forest Park Inn, Motel 6 Gilroy or Quality Inn & Suites Gilroy so you can stay and play for more than just one day. Then make your first stop the California Welcome Center Gilroy (in Gilroy Premium Outlets) for helpful maps, valuable coupons, and insider tips to make the most of your stay. Taste your way along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail, where many wineries like Kirigin Cellars, Satori Cellars, and Sarah's Vineyards welcome dogs (and may even have some special treats waiting for them!). Take a stroll through historic Downtown Gilroy and indulge in the town's signature spice at Garlic City Cafe. There are many other outstanding restaurants that also welcome dogs, from authentic Mexican food at Los Pericos and Victoria's Mexican Restaurant to Asian cuisine at Ginger Cafe and Saigon 2 Siam Bistro. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors on dog-friendly hiking trails at Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch Park, Mt. Madonna, and the Uvas Creek Levee. You can even meet up with other four-legged friends at the Heartland Dog Park, which has separate areas for large dogs and small dogs. Plan your great Gilroy getaway today at VisitGilroy.com!
Dog on Glass Beach Fort Bragg

Dog-friendly brags in Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, the largest dog-friendly community on the Mendo coast has much to recommend, including the Beachcomber group of properties offering variety and value close to the sea. The Beachcomber Motel itself is a luxury motel that offers panoramic views, fire pits and “pet suites” (rooms that open onto a deck with dog house and pet shower) with direct access to the property’s leash-free dog park.  

Yellow dog on boat

River dogs rule at Little River Inn

Little River Inn, in the coastal Mendocino County town of Little River, offers a River Dog package, good June through October, that includes two nights in a pet-friendly, ocean-view room with fireplace; a three-hour outrigger canoe excursion on the Big River for you and your pet; a $120 dinner voucher good for room service or service in the dog-friendly parlor; and a goodie bag packed with treats and tip sheets on where to hike, bit and boat with your four-legged friend.

Dog getting emergency service treatment

Emergency services/lost & injured dogs

If your pup is injured or lost, Dogtrekker.com makes the search for a 24-hour veterinary clinic or the local animal care and control shelter where found dogs are first processed a lot quicker. Simply go to the main menu in the NEARBY mode then scroll down and click on “Emergency Services.” In a flash, you will have phone numbers, addresses and directions for all emergency listings within 75 miles.  
Dog by a fireplace

A toast to Mendo festival season

Would you believe more than 1,000 varieties of mushrooms grow beneath Mendocino’s ferns and redwoods? It’s true—and also best to let the experts identify what’s edible and what’s not! You’ll find lots of edible varieties prepared in imaginative ways during Mendocino County’s Mushroom, Wine and Beer Festival. It takes place Nov. 3-12 with activities scheduled all over the county. Some activities are dog-friendly and some aren’t, so be sure to check before you go. A great option for day care if you plan to attend non dog-friendly events is Rover.com.

Dogs in two big red chairs in Hopland

Hop on over to Hopland

Winery rich Mendocino County home to 10 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), a half-dozen of which are smaller regions lumped together under the over-arching Mendocino County label. While there are many dog-friendly tasting rooms scattered about, it makes sense for newbies to follow one of two designated “wine roads,” one tracing Highway 128 through the famed Anderson Valley, the other centered around the Hopland area on Highway 101.

Dave, Roxanne, and Maya

Meet Maya, new Director of Barketing™

By Roxanne & Dave Kendrick, Co-founders of DogTrekker.com The story of Kayla, DogTrekker.com’s late and much missed Director of Barketing, was one of the best-read newsletter stories of 2016. Thanks to all our readers who read her story and sent their best wishes. It’s been more than six months since Kayla crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and time for us to find our next furr-ever dog. We are excited to introduce her to all of you. Kayla passes the leash off to Maya We raised Kayla from a puppy after getting her from a reputable breeder, some eight years before we launched DogTrekker.com. Even though we were aware of and often donated to rescue groups, we didn't know about the magnitude of the problems with over-breeding, lack of spaying and neutering, and the fact that millions of dogs were being euthanized every year in shelters. Then we met the wonderful founders and volunteers at hundreds of California shelters, rescue and adoption organizations. We witnessed their selfless work firsthand, and were enlightened.   Maya on her office lunch break Meet Maya, a 5-year old, 70-pound English Labrador retriever recently adopted from Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue. Maya hailed from dog-crazy Carmel and was surrendered after her owner passed away. As with any dog being rehomed, Maya came to us with some issues. She is a bit tough on the leash and very nervous when riding in the car—not the best situation for a company and family constantly on the road. On the flip side, she gets along great with dogs large and small, dog people and not, even in uniforms. She doesn’t bark excessively and doesn’t beg for food, which isn’t very “Lab-like” at all.   First night at home! When Judy Kreger, Founder and CEO of Monterey Bay Lab Rescue, sent us pictures of Maya, we were a bit hesitant—older but not that old? Large but not too large? Car anxiety? Leash issues? But something in her eyes—it’s always in the eyes—spoke to both of us. Everything else, we knew, could be handled with training. So we decided to take a trip to Maya’s foster home in Santa Cruz, and it was love at first sight. We left shortly after and brought Maya to her new home.
private dog park at beachcomber motel

Dog-friendly lodging for you and yours

Mendocino County is big and diverse, but there’s something extra-soothing about making base camp within sight or sound of the sea. Settle into a king pet suite at the Beachcomber Motel & Spa in Fort Bragg, and both you and your four-legged loved one will enjoy direct access to the fenced, off-leash dog park right outside. Two suites have doggie doors opening onto gated outdoor kennels, and all pet suites come with a doghouse, pet beds and other woof-friendly amenities (not to mention fireplaces, microwaves, refrigerators and giant TVs for human occupants).

Cute funny dog sitting at served dining table indoors

The dining with dog conundrum

While most Mendocino County restaurants with outdoor dining venues allow dogs to curl up under the table with their owners, winter weather can throw that option a curve ball. In inclement weather when patios aren’t open, your pup can always wait in the car while you dine. Or—if you know in advance—you can take an unconventional route to an indoor venue.

Dog on bench with old tools.

Fall trekking in the SLO lane

San Luis Obispo County encompasses just about everything California is known for, from mountains to ocean to wine country to laid-back vibe. Luis Obispo County encompasses just about everything California is known for, from mountains to ocean to wine country to laid-back vibe. Sure, you can shoot down from the Bay Area on Interstate 5 and Highway 46, but it’s much more rewarding to take the slow lane (Highway 101) all the way to Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and beyond.

Dog on Glass Beach Fort Bragg

Chill out in Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg is the “big city” on the Mendocino Coast with 7,500 full-time human residents, many of whose households also count our-legged family members.

View of Mendocino Village and ocean.

Waves & woof on the Mendocino coast

A mere glimpse of Mendocino’s gorgeously sculpted coastline is all it takes to turn urban angst into rural revelation. The scenery is so intoxicating you can yappily spend a week along the Highway 1 corridor without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea. Visitors on a short leash, time-wise, will find plenty to occupy themselves and their pups along the 13 miles of coastline between diminutive Little River, to the south, and Fort Bragg, the county’s “big city” (population 7,500), just up Highway 1 to the north. Distances are short, so it’s easy to cruise from place to place and get back to base camp before dinner.

Skunk train

Mendocino’s inland empire

Many Mendocino County visitors stay glued to the scenic stretch of coastline between Little River and Fort Bragg, but to do so is to miss out on redwoods, wineries, off-the-beaten-path seaside preserves and small, inland towns that extend a warm welcome to travelers with pets.

American (Lower) River

Riverside romps

If you and your pup prefer paved trails to dirt ones, seek out the Truckee River Legacy Trail next time you head up to Lake Tahoe.Truckee River. Photo: Karen (CC) If you and your pup prefer paved trails to dirt ones, seek out the Truckee River Legacy Trail next time you head up to Lake Tahoe. Your furry companion will enjoy meet-and-greets with lots of other canines out for morning walks with their people, and you’ll enjoy watching the river roll by. The paved trail hugs the river for 2.5 miles northeast of Truckee River Regional Park, just outside the downtown district. Eventually, it will extend from Donner Memorial State Park to the community of Glenshire.

Chandelier drive thru tree

Mendocino’s inland charms

Drive north on Highway 1 from Fort Bragg, and you’ll soon leave the coast and turn inland. It’s about an hour to Leggett, where the road merges with Highway 101 and the Redwood Coast begins. Leggett is home to one of the North State's most enduring roadside attractions, the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, a centuries-old coast redwood that was transformed into a tourist stop in the 1930's, when a 6-foot-wide tunnel was bored through it. Visitors ever since have been driving their cars into the opening and snapping photos with kids and dogs waving hands and paws out the windows.

Dog in the Mendocino Coast Botanical gardens

Amazing Mendocino county

If there’s one destination in Northern California that really rolls out the red carpet for your pooch, it's Mendocino County. Pet-friendly properties such as Stanford Inn by the Sea, Little River Inn, and the Beachcomber Motel properties welcome you and your pup with open arms, treats and amenities, while dozens of restaurants have patio tables set aside for diners with four-legged companions. In addition to great places to stay, many wineries welcome canine companions with water, treats and a place to curl up by the bar.

Dog and two people in a cabin.

Dog-friendly hide-aways in Mendocino

If seclusion is your thing, you’ll find plenty of it in big, diverse Mendocino County. DogTrekkers who love being shooshed to sleep by the waves should check out the possibilities at Serenisea, a blufftop cluster of cottages and vacation-home rentals, many of them dog-friendly, three miles north of Gualala on the county’s south coast. Also near the water is Howard Creek Ranch Inn, a historic, 60-acre, family-owned, waterfront homestead bordered by redwood-clad mountains. Cabins are furnished in antiques, full breakfast is included in the rates and many wineries are nearby.

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