by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Doggie Day Trip – the NoFo! (That’s North Fork of Long Island!)
If you have yet to visit the North Fork (NoFo) of Long Island with your pup – you are missing out! The NoFo is the perfect day-trip destination if you are looking to do wine tasting, pumpkin or apple picking, a walk on the beach or to enjoy lunch or dinner in one of the quaint towns with your dog!
Recently I took my dog Max, who is 12 years old on a doggie day trip to the NoFo for all of the above. My cousin came with me and we had such a relaxing day, and Max had a great time exploring some old haunts and new ones too – pretty dog-gone good for a senior pup!
We first went to Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead – and it is pet friendly, leashed of course, and offers some of the most spectacular grounds to walk along. You can bring a picnic lunch and hang outside at one of the many tables or picnic benches provided, and sip some MCV wine as your dog chills out. I prefer to walk Max around the grounds, being respectful of all the beautiful farm animals they have there (goats, sheep, turtles, cows, horses and more), and then back to picnic area to enjoy wine and cheese. This way you get some of that puppy (or senior dog) energy out first.
Meet n greet!
After an hour or so, we headed to Love Lane in Mattituck – to go where else, but Love Lane Kitchen for lunch. They have a lovely little outdoor patio next to the restaurant where we could sit with Max and enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch we walked around Love Lane visited some of the shops (please note: I didn’t bring Max into the stores, but there is a pet boutique on Love Lane you can visit with your pup).
Our next stop, the bay beach of course, so Max could dip his toes in the water! There is a dog friendly beach called Bailey’s Beach in Mattituck, but we actually just drove to a bay beach in Jamesport and just stopped there for a little while, there were no ‘no dog’ signs and since it was off season no one was there – perfect.
Love it! Max stayed on his leash – a good recomendation to do so with your dog, and be respectful of the surrounding neighborhood and beaches, and obey any signs posted. We then headed to one of the many local pumpkin farms to get pumpkins, mums, sunflowers and a few farm stand veggies that are in season.
There are so many things to do, see and enjoy with your dog on the NoFo and people are very friendly. It is doable for a day trip, for sure. I am baffled when I hear of people that have been born and raised on LI – but have never been to the NoFo – it’s crazy! 🙂 Dogs like to get out and explore new areas and see new things – the NoFo is the perfect fall getaway, for a daycation, that is not too far away. You and your pup will be so relaxed by the time you get back home and the sceenary is beautiful no matter where you go on the North Fork.
But if you want to spend a weekend there – lucky for us there are now two hotels that I know of that are also pet friendly close to the NoFo! The first is the Hyatt East End in Riverhead – they are pet friendly for dogs up to 50lbs and have beautiful accomodations. Located right next to the Long Island Aquarium, in Riverhead village, you can walk your dog along the beautiful river front steps from the hotel.
The second hotel is the Hotel Indigo East End also in Riverhead, but closer to Calverton and also offer pet friendly accomodations.
And if you are looking for a dog trainer or pet sitter while on the NoFo, contact Dawn Bennett of North Fork School of Dog Training – she might even give you some info on places to go with your dog that I haven’t mentioned above.
And some tips if you do take a Doggie Day Trip:
- Go during the week if you can, it is less crowded and that means less traffic.
- Bring supplies for your dog: water, food, pet first aid kit (just in case), poop bags to pick up.
- Be sure to stop and walk your dog and let him or her do his business along the way (and of course clean up after your dog).
- Ask if you can bring your dog onto the property of a vineyard (although most are dog friendly), and the same for any of the pumpkin/apple farms. Be courteous and know your dog! If your pup is going to freak out if he sees a cow – be sure to have something with your to distract him (think high value treats, toys, ball, etc.)
- If your dog is not used to long car rides, start taking him for some rides each day longer and longer that lead up to a daycation trip, so he gets used to it.
- Bring an extra leash and collar with you – and be sure to have up-to-date ID tags on him, just in case.
- And most of all have fun, take lots of pictures and enjoy!
Another favorite spot is Greenport, a photo of Max there from a few years ago! To see More Pictures of our NoFo Doggie Day trip, CLICK HERE!
By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
What a perfect way to spend one of the last summer evenings of August at the beach watching the ponies swim in Southold, NY. What has become a lovely way for horses and their owners to cool off this summer has attracted a lot of onlookers and photographers – including myself.
Organized by local horse owners on the North Fork – this pony swim is such a treat to witness as the summer winds down.
What is better than horses, donkeys, and dogs all on the beach to enjoy the beauty of the east end and cool, crisp water? Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, dogs were all leashed and well behaved and the horses were absolutely having a blast.
Some of the horses were dunking their noses in the water, rolling in the water on the shore, and even curious about the dogs there!
CHEESE! This horse was rolling around in the water a lot – it was just too cute!
Love this meet and greet with this dog and donkey. The dogs were so good saying hello.
For a lot more PICTURES click here to view them on our Facebook Page!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Just because we already passed tumbleweed Tuesday (the day after Labor Day), and there is a distinct chill in the air doesn’t mean there is nothing happening on the East End. There are some really fantastic pet events happening that are perfect for your autumn outings with your four legged friends.
The first of which happens to be taking place this Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, NY. The 3rd Annual Wines & Canines 5k Dog Walk/Run to benefit Kent Animal Shelter. The event starts at 11am and participants will enjoy walking or running through 200-acres of scenic vineyards during peak harvest season on the North Fork at Martha Clara Vineyards. This is a non-competitive run or walk where guests can bring their pooch along with them for this special leisurely dog walk/run to benefit homeless animals at Kent Animal Shelter. Wine tasting, food vendors, pet vendors, auctions, prizes, K-9 Frisbee demonstration and more! What’s better than a day out on the East End with your pup to help homeless animals and drink some fabulous wine? I am in! To get more info and download a registration form www.KentAnimalShelter.com/winesandcanines/ or register in person at the event. The cost for the event is a $25 minimum donation per person and children 12 and under are free. Registration begins at 11AM, walkers and runners may start the course anytime between 11AM and 1PM as it is not a timed race. For questions please call (631) 727-5731. Well behaved and leashed dogs please! (No retractable leashes).
Another east end event, but on the South Fork is the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) Annual Stroll to Sea Dog Walk on Saturday, October 6th at Mulford Farm in East Hampton, NY. And stick around for the next event…TV and movie pet celebrity to be at the next event!
If you are more inclined to go to Montauk, we have the event for you! On Monday, October 8th, 2012 (Columbus Day) from 12:30pm-5:00pm there will be a Pet Celebration and Luncheon Event at the Oceanside Beach Resort in Montauk (626 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954). The Pet Celebration and Luncheon Event will have: music; pet vendors; raffles; pet costume contests; adoptable pets; goody bags; yummy food for humans and dogs alike; dog festivities and much more! This event is being held to celebrate the completion of A Journey Four Paws – in which Irene Rabinowitz and her 10-year old dog Sydney will be walking the last 10-miles of their 70-mile, four day journey into Montauk! A special guest appearance by Bocker the Labradoodle, TV & Movie Pet Celebrity will be at the event signing pawtographs!
Guests can bring their dogs dressed in their best most creative Montauk Monster, Surfer Dog, or original costume! Humans can dress up to if they wish as it is close to Howl-o-ween! Come and join us to cheer Irene and Sydney as they complete the ‘tail end’ of this amazing journey all while raising funds and awareness for the Long Island chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and for Central Suffolk Paws – an division under LI-Dog that helps get much needed dog parks in our towns on Long Island. Tickets to the luncheon are $35 per person and dogs attend for free! To purchase tickets or find out more information about this event go to www.barksnbubblesli.com/2445.html.
And for more events happening across the East End and Long Island, sign up for the weekly FREE Pet Events Newsletter and don’t miss another event!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Heading to the North Fork with your furkid to go pumpkin picking or hitting the wineries this weekend? The east end of Long Island is very pet friendly and I have yet to be at a farm stand, pumpkin patch or winery that a well behaved pet was not allowed. If you are staying the entire weekend and are looking for a place to board or walk your pet while out there, you are in luck as there a few places to choose from: A1 Critter Sitters, C-Dogs Unlimited LLC, These Dreams Pet Services, Inc. (631-764-9571), some also offer grooming.
If you are bringing your pet with you, be sure to stop at The Country Pet on Love Lane in Mattituck – this quaint pet store carries beautiful pet products as well as top quality pet food and treats. Want to capture the weekend or maybe have Fluffy’s photo taken by a pro, you will want to schedule an appointment with ThePuparazzi, that’s right (you don’t have to be in the Hamptons to have flash blubs going!).
Or maybe you need some training techniques and tips from an expert dog trainer? Like how to handle your dog when he sees all those different farm animals at a vineyard or pumpkin patch? Give the North Fork School of Dogs a call and they can help you. After a long day of pumpkins and new scents your dog may be wiped out so what about a canine massage or reiki session? You are in luck as Patty’s Pet Services offers just that.
Autumn on the North Fork is a treasure for LI and a wonderful place to visit with your pet. Just remember to keep your pet leashed, clean up after him, have fresh water available and respect the areas you visit with him. Your dog will experience the excitement of a new location, new scents, may see animals he has never seen before – so be sure you know your dog can handle it. Enjoy the harvest!
Heading out East for the day but don’t have a pet, be sure to stop by Kent Animal Shelter, the North Fork Animal Welfare League or Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation on your way back!
(Recently while apple picking on the North Fork a family had their two dogs with them a large golden doodle and a poodle, the dogs were perfectly mannered and sweet, even took the ‘hay’ ride out to pick apples. The dogs were so well behaved the entire time with very good owners, I cannot say that for the out of control kids that were throwing mud and apples and screaming the entire time – and their parents didn’t care! Even the dogs were looking at those kids like ‘what the bleep?’ is going on.)
Categories
Archives
Blogroll
Meta