Bodie and I at the gorgeous Chateau de Villandry, Loire Valley, France

Hello AndASmallDog followers! I know I have been quiet (except my rant about KLM losing our dog) but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been traveling. In fact, we’ve been on the road a lot of this year – first NYC, then Europe (Belgium and Holland this year), followed by a week in South Florida (the Keys and Miami). We’ve settled back home for a while until it starts again in NYC in March!

Of course, Bodie comes with us on these trips. We also took him all over France last year including the Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Burgundy areas. He got to explore the beautiful gardens at the Chateau de Villandry, see the cute castle of Chateau de Chennonceau (from the outside only), drive around the famous wine regions all over France (think his favorite part), visit the Armagnac distillery… Ooh la la! We stayed at some gorgeous pet-friendly properties including in the prestigious wine town of Puligny-Montrachet.

In Belgium, we did our own self-guided brewery tour. We lost count of how many breweries we visited but it was at least 12+! He wasn’t allowed inside the breweries but we’d leave him at our vacation rentals while we went in. Or just did a quick visit while he slept in the car (weather was cool enough for us to do that!).

Bodie enjoying the view

For the past two years, we’ve stayed on houseboats when in Amsterdam. Bodie loves (?) barking at the boats as they go by haha! We enjoy the feeling of space the houseboat gives us and its lovely to feed the passing ducks and swans out of the window (Bodie is not so keen and in fact tried to leap out of the window as I was throwing bread to ducks once. Luckily I grabbed him before he went overboard. So now I have to give him bits of bread each time so he doesn’t get jealous!)

He really doesn’t care where he is though as long as he is with us. He loooooooves being in the car and will sleep on our laps on the long journeys. I’m glad that he is so good about that!

Anyways, I am here still to assist you with your next vacation – whether you are taking your pet with you or not. AndASmallDog.com is my “pet project”. I have a couple other sites including GoYourOwnWayTravel.com (my main hub) and WineBeerTours.com (food/wine/beer travel). Feel free to check them out as well! They are the reasons why I have been quiet on here. Plus I’ve been busy helping my clients travel!

Happy Travels!

Leila Coe, CTA

The following post was submitted by AndASmallDog.com “fan”, Sonja Lishchynski, the CEO of Paws ‘n Cause. She recently traveled with her small dog, Montecristo, to southern Florida.

Naples, Florida is one of those places that, as a Canadian you associate with the term Snow Bird.  So, at the tender age of 37, it seemed that perhaps this was a slightly premature destination choice for my husband, our long haired Chihuahua Montecristo and me.   But, when my cousin offered us her place near the Venetian Village for two weeks for free… adding the words “It’s really dog friendly” to her invitation – it was simply too good an offer to refuse.
Are we ever glad we went! Naples is a truly clean and lovely town, the older part is full of historic charm, and the entire place is really easy to navigate and by North American Standards it really is a “bring Fido” kind of town.  They even have outdoor Dog Bars!

Recently, Naples, Florida passed a bylaw allowing restaurants, pubs and other food vendors with patios to decide for themselves if they want their establishment to be dog friendly or not.  With only a few exceptions, we found that all the patios’ welcomed our little 2.38 pound Chihuahua with open arms, smiles and a nice cool bowl of water. It was truly a treat to be able to, like in Europe, go out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and drinks in the evenings with our little four legged tourist.

The stores are equally kind; asking mostly that you either hold your small dog in your arms, or at the least hold them on a leash.  From the doggy boutique on 5th, to the outlet mall, to the art galleries on 3rd; everywhere we went people smiled warmly and in welcome.  Everyone from the expected Snow Birds, to the locals and their families made all of us feel truly at home.

The one thing that “didn’t fit” with the dog friendly attitude was truly the “no dogs on the beach” law. That included all public and private beaches and the spectacular historic pier – Naples heart and soul.   We managed to sneak Montecristo onto the beach later in the evening for a sunset or two – but this was a huge risk since the fine can be relatively hefty.  After all breaking the law has consequences.  (Editors Note: Sanibel Island isn’t too far from Naples and all the beaches on this small island are dog-friendly.)
What is on offer is a dog beach near Bonita Springs; a small strip of white sand surrounded by thick mangroves at the foot of a bridge.  Here a lot of really big dogs run, play and cavort.  Montecrsito was alarmed at the rush and amount of slobber present but soon, he was swimming in the ocean, and watching the dolphins in the distance with us until the sun set.  Bonita Springs is about a 30 min drive from Old Naples and well worth it if you wish to spend a day on the beach with your dog. It’s free, and it’s self “policed”.  Bags are provided for picking up your dogs waste, although brining your own is a good idea since they run out frequently.  A special bin is available for disposal.
As our stay came to an end, we visited our friend at the “The Villagio Cafe” one last time.  This coffee house in the Venitian Village not only had great java, but the owner was beyond dog friendly, bringing Montecristo treats and putting cool fresh water in the bowl daily.  We would often grab a sandwich there, with the little one at our feet, enjoying the sun overhead, the glimpse of the large pelicans flying by and the water fountains spurting their dance to some pre-christmas jingle.

We left Naples, swearing we would visit again; soon.

Thank you, Sonja, for your contribution!

Have a story or travel experience you’d like to share? Please just contact me for more information!

Bodie and I enjoying the view - somewhere in Holland

I am writing this from the comfort of the Thalys high-speed train to Paris Nord. We departed from Amsterdam about 30 minutes ago. Our seats are in first class (Comfort 1) and are very spacious. There is free wi-fi for first class passengers which is a great bonus. The attendant has already visited our seat 3 times – offering sandwiches, drinks and coffee/tee. She even gave us a little cup of water for Bodie!

We have a Eurail pass but there is a seat supplement for the Thalys train since they are the high-speed train. A dog ticket is also required and cost 69 euros roundtrip (subject to change). A muzzle is supposed to be required, but they haven’t asked me to put it on Bodie (thankfully as he hates them!).

We are arriving in Rotterdam now, and will then be stopping in Antwerp and Brussels before arriving into Paris.

Want to take your dog to Paris? Just email me for advice and personalized assistance!

Happy Travels!

You may not know this but my dog, Bodie, is an expat pet. We adopted him when we lived in Amsterdam in 2006, when we were the expats living in Holland. We’ve since moved back to Florida, and so its his turn to be the expat (expat is short for “expatriate”).

Bodie isn’t the only expat pet who likes to share his experience of traveling and exploring different countries.

Turner shares some insight on what its like to live in a different country

Clogs and Tulips: An American in Holland recently scored an interview with expet Turner Jansen. Turner relocated with his parents to the Netherlands late 2008 and agreed to take the time to answer a few of our questions.

Clogs and Tulips: What brings you to the Netherlands?

Turner Jansen: My daddy is Dutch and after he and my mommy got married, my mommy and I moved to the Netherlands to live with my daddy. Originally, I come from the United States.

CT: What sorts of things needed to be in order for you to come into the Netherlands?

TJ: It was pretty easy, actually. All I needed in for entry into the Netherlands was a microchip or tattoo, a certificate of health from my veterinarian, updated shots, and an airline compliant travel crate. We had the microchip done at a Humane Society clinic, which really kept the price down. My parents opted to do everything themselves as opposed to going through a pet relocation agency. My daddy was on the flight with me and was there to pick me up at the baggage claim. Cheap and easy. One thing we didn’t do before relocation that I would recommend was get me a passport. We were able to get one from my new veterinarian here in the Netherlands with no trouble at all.

CT: What was the most challenging adjustment you had to make coming to the Netherlands?

TJ: The biggest challenge was getting used to all the bicycles. I still find bicycles terrifying. My mommy keeps trying to teach me how to run along side the bike, but they’re just so scary! I always have to be reminded of where the bicycle paths are – they look like sidewalks still to me. A very dangerous mistake when you have a fear of bikes. (AndASmallDog Note: Bodie is also afraid of bicycles – but luckily got in the habit of ignoring them!)

CT: Was it easy to find a good veterinarian, groomer, and pet hotel? Is language an issue?

TJ: My mommy joined the International Women’s Contact Utrecht right away after we moved and was able to ask some of the other members for recommendations. I feel about the vet like I hear most humans feel about the dentist, but luckily, we found a really good one. My mommy communicates with him mostly in Dutch, but he’s able to explain more complex things in English and is more than happy to switch over if my mommy needs it. I’ve had two appointments so far and, although they speak Dutch to my mommy, they speak in English to me, which really helped me relax a little. My vet takes care of my nails and my parents do the rest of my grooming, so finding a groomer wasn’t necessary. Again, the vast majority of the Dutch are very versatile in English, but I would recommend learning as much Dutch as you can.

The first pet hotel I stayed at, my parents found on their own and we didn’t like it at all. The second one we tried was recommended by a friend of my mommy’s from the IWCU and we really love it. They also speak reasonable English.

CT: Can you talk about some of the major differences between the US and the Netherlands?

TJ: Here in the Netherlands there are special dog toilets and dog play areas. There are also designated areas where dogs can run free. These dog areas are cleaned by the city, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up after your dog (all dog owners pay a dog tax to maintain these areas). What’s really frustrating is the number of people that allow their dogs to relieve themselves in restricted areas – playgrounds, sidewalks, etc – and don’t clean up after them. In the US, I was only allowed into a very limited number of places but, in the Netherlands, I can go almost everywhere: restaurants, cafes, stores. As long as there’s no sign depicting a dog inside a red circle, I’m allowed in.

When my uncle was visiting, my mommy and I went with him into a really fancy men’s clothing store and nobody even noticed that I was there! I can also travel on trains, busses, the metro, and trams… as long as I have a ticket. The best part is that every restaurant has its own cat to keep the mice at bay. I love going out to lunch with my parents and rubbing elbows with the restaurant cats. What I miss most about the US are the large yards that most homes have to run around free in. We try to go to the woods nearby as often as possible so I can run out all of my energy.

CT: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. Are there any last words you have to share with our readers?

TJ: It was my pleasure. What I would say to anyone planning on taking their pet abroad with them is to do whatever you can to make the transition easy on your pet. Let them get used to their travel crate before your departure and make sure there is plenty of water place and familiar items in the crate: a blanket and maybe a soft toy. Set into a routine right away so that your pet knows what to expect. Take your pet around the neighborhood so they can get used to their new surroundings. Have familiar things around your new home like furniture pieces, blankets, rugs, and toys so that not everything is brand new. The Netherlands is a great place to raise a pet!

Tiffany Jansen moved to the Netherlands in December 2008 with dog in tow after marrying a Dutchman. She runs her own company Little Broadway and does some freelance writing on the side. You can read more about her adventures as an American expat in the Netherlands on her blog Clogs and Tulips: An American in Holland.

If anyone is interested in reading more about living abroad, especially in Holland, please do check out Tiffany’s great blog!

Thank you to both Tiffany and Turner for your great insight!

Tiffany and Turner

Yummy Goodies at Woof Gang Bakery in Celebration

Woof Gang Bakery, my favorite dog food and treat store, has just opened a new location in Celebration, FL – just a short drive from Disney and the other attractions in Orlando (and just a short drive from my house!).

This will make the 11th store for this fast-growing franchise. All of them feature quality, all-natural treats for dogs – from cookies to cupcakes to birthday cakes! – as well as all-natural dog (and cat) food, toys, and other accessories.

So if you are visiting Orlando, or live in-town, take your pup over to the newest location of Woof Gang Bakery. They are located in downtown Celebration, near the movie theater.

Haven’t been to Celebration? It is a great place to spend an afternoon with your dog – cute shops, good restaurants, cafes and ice cream stores, and a pretty park – a great way to get away from the theme parks for the day!

Want more info? Just email me!

Learn more about:

Woof Gang Bakery Celebration, FL

Woof Gang Bakery Dr Phillips, Orlando, FL

Looking for something fun and unique to do with your dog this summer? How about taking Fido to a summer camp for dogs and their people!

The Canine Club Getaway is hosting their second annual event this June, and all well-behaved dogs (and humans) are invited to attend.

Enjoy a weekend of dog-related seminars, classes, and lots of activities! Everything is included so you and your dog can just enjoy spending quality time with each other, while meeting other like-minded folks.

For more info, please visit my article on Examiner.com!

Did you go last year? How was it? Let us know by commenting below!

Check out my guest post on www.HowToTravelWithPets.com – a handy pet travel website run by Anil. It is about the Xpu-Ha Palace Resort that I also featured here but has some new photos – so check it out!

http://howtotravelwithpets.com/all-inclusive-eco-friendly-resort-for-you-and-your-pet-xpu-ha-palace-mexico/

Follow Anil – How to Travel with Pets – @foxnomad

Look for more guests posts in the future!

Thanks Anil!

Just a small selection of the available shells!

We recently took a quick getaway to Sanibel Island – about a 3 and a half hour drive from Orlando. The small island of Sanibel (only 12 miles long and 4 miles wide) is located off of the coast of Fort Myers in Florida. I have lived in central Florida off-and-on for over twenty years but had never ventured to this side of Florida. I am glad I waited until now so that my small dog, Bodie, could come!

We had a great day at the beach – all the beaches on Sanibel are dog-friendly! There’s no loud music or spring-breakers and cars aren’t allowed on the beach (unlike in Daytona!). Instead, Sanibel is unspoiled and natural. It is a top destination for shelling – all along the beach are piles and piles of shells to be sorted through (go at sunrise to get the best ones!). But it isn’t just a shelling beach – there’s still plenty of sand.

Helping us shell-hunt (the only hunting we do!)

There’s a long list of pet-friendly accommodations – mostly small motels or cottages. Don’t expect over-the-top luxuriousness – head to the other coast for that. Instead, everything is small and quaint, and authentic Floridian – the way it used to be. There’s no traffic lights on Sanibel (but two traffic cops instead) and you won’t see very many of the big chains on the island. I think Dairy Queen was the biggest name that we saw! Instead, there are plenty of good restaurants and cafes and most allow dogs on their patios (check out Over Easy Cafe and their delicious breakfasts served until 2pm!).

A couple of the Castaways colorful cottages!

We stayed at the Castaways Beach and Bay Cottages. The units were cute and the location was peaceful and quiet (on the northern tip of the Sanibel – right next to the small bridge to Captiva Island, a more remote and residential island).

To read more about our trip, check out these two articles on Examiner:

Sanibel Island – more details on what to see and do on Sanibel

Castaways review – with photos!

If you need assistance planning your next vacation, please just email me with your request. I am a travel agent who specializes in pet travel (and human travel, too!).

Happy Travels!

Relax by the fire with your dog at Paws Up

Catchy title, eh? It caught my eye and so I thought I would share it with all you dog lovers. Looking for an escape to the wilderness with your pet? How about Montana! The Resort at Paws Up is hosting a “Wine and Bitch” weekend in April that is full of doggie fun including a fashion parade, wellness seminars, pet (and human) massages and more. Humans will enjoy the fine wine tastings, gourmet food and having some peaceful time with a good book.

Montana is a bit far for most of us, but if planning a trip in that region check out Paws Up – dogs are welcome always so if you can’t make it to their event in April you can go there another time!

Read more about the Wine and Bitch Weekend here!

Keep up-to-date with all the doggie vacation offers by following us on Twitter – @AndASmallDog and remember I am here to help you with all your travel plans! After all, pets need vacations, too!

Swiss Family Robinson-style accommodations

I’ve always wanted to go to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico, but haven’t since our dog, Bodie, always comes with us when we travel. I had checked into options for Jamaica – a popular area for all-inclusive resorts – but found out that dogs (and other pets) are forbidden to even enter the island. So on a whim, I looked into Mexico – and lo and behold the Xpu-Ha Palace Resort allows dogs! It is the first of its kind, that I know of. The Xpu-Ha Palace is an eco resort – all the rooms are located in what looks like treehouses. The property is surrounded by lush vegetation, and natural flora and fauna. There’s even a mini zoo on-site. The beach is next to the resort but not its main appeal (from what I’ve read, its been washed away from hurricanes but guests staying at one Palace Resort have the option to use the amenities of other Palace Resorts in the area which are on “better stretches” of beach). Pets (dogs and cats, only. Sorry ferrets!) up to 55 lbs are allowed with a maximum of two per room. The all-inclusive package (which is free for the first pet, and $50 for the second) includes a special pet bed, waste bags for dogs, litter box, pooper scooper and scratching posts for cats as well as grooming. There is also an on-site pet care facility which offers veterinary care, boarding and obedience classes.

To read more about the Xpu-Ha and its pet-friendliness, check out my article on Examiner.

If you want to find out more information, including rates and availability, please email me! I am a travel agent who specializes in pet travel.

Hola Mexico!

Leila – Info@AndASmallDog.com