How to Go to an Airbnb with a Dog

I just got back from Prescott, Arizona where we found an Airbnb that not only accepted dogs, but they didn't charge extra! How did we do it?

The Trick to Dog-Friendly AirBnB Finds

Well, we put our fussy high standards aside and ignored past guest comments about cleanliness and focused on all the cool stuff around that a dog would enjoy. There is a good side to checking into an Airbnb that doesn't focus so much on being immaculately clean. They will be much more forgiving if Francesca, my sidekick, leaves behind some of her fluffy hair and if I might tromp down some of the foliage outside. So ponder that. Focus on the dog, not on human standards.

I have to say the rug was old and stained even before we checked in.
And, to be fair, we put our own towels on the furniture so we would
not leave fur on it if we should forget the rules and jump on it.

So here are some tips for finding a true pet-friendly deal at an Airbnb:

1. When you use the search tool, be sure and filter for "pet friendly" so you only get properties that allow dogs.
2. Look for properties that are fenced, or have a yard where dogs will feel at home. 
3. Look for the pet fees, extra deposits, or extra cleaning fees because of pets. Many have them. We tried to rent a Sedona Airbnb who did not list the pet fee. Once we were half-way through the process, we found out that the Airbnb wanted $20 per night for just me! Well, we couldn't afford that!
4. Read the rules. If they are determined to charge the guest extra if a dog hair is seen on the couch, they will probably be fussy (and rightfully so... it's their property) and maybe they are too fussy for me.
5. Read through to see if there is a weight limit and, for us, a limit in the number of dogs you can bring. 
6. Read carefully if the property is shared, or like on a farm. If they have their own dog, you may be asking for trouble if you are like Francesca, who is very protective and barky.
7. Like I said, don't steer away from properties that have comments about a lack of cleanliness. After all, this is a dog vacay and we are known to track in mud and drop a few hairs here and there.
8. Ask plenty of questions. If you have any concerns about how welcome we dogs will be or how comfy the place is, just shoot a note to the Airbnb owner. Forewarned is forearmed, right?

How to Be a Good Airbnb Dog Guest

So once you find a compatible property and are packing for your dog-friendly vacay, there are things you can do so you will be invited back:

1. Don't fib about the number or size of the dogs you are bringing. 
2. Bring the dog dishes (don't use the Airbnb dishes!) and their beds. They won't be tempted to jump on furniture if they have their own stuff.
   
3. Bring clean, but ratty, dog towels to clean up your dog after a walk. 
4. If the property has a vacuum cleaner, use it. Help the owner out.
   
5. Don't let your dog run loose. We had to use our long tie outs to explore the rocky hillside behind the Airbnb. We got used to it. 

   

   Here I am exploring the hill with my tie out on.

   
   

   
   

6. Walk your dog with a leash and pick up after them. We use biodegradable pick up bags. Also, we found a rural road to walk twice a day. It was fantastic. Very few cars and plenty of good smells and things to see.
7. If your dog has separation anxiety, perhaps leaving the dog alone at the Airbnb is not a good idea. If your dog might get into things if you leave, bring their crate for when you leave without them. Francesca and I are used to our owner going to the store or out to dinner. As long as we get our meals on time, we don't worry about it! We just go lay on our beds when our owner leaves.
   

Safety

Last but not least, you don't want your dog to get lost in a strange place. Watch the door and, especially, secure your dog when you are unloading and loading the car, going back and forth. 

Make sure your dog is micro chipped and has tags or a collar with your phone number on it. Some of us, like coon hounds, like to follow our noses when we are staying at a new place.

BE A GOOD DOG AND YOU'LL GET TO
GO ON LOT'S OF TRIPS!

Poking Around Prescott, Arizona

Well, we got settled in and had some good exploring time. We found out there is a back door to the shack that leads to a "doggie garden of Eden." It was so green! There were trees and boulders to climb. But my favorite thing to do was to eat grass. 

Here we are exploring the backyard and eating grass.

We had to have tie-outs because there is no fence. We promised not to go too far but our owner didn't trust us. Oh well. We had fun.

Here's Francesca doing some rock climbing

We get lots of short walks. Our owner takes us out and keeps reminding us that we are not there to go hunting. But drat, I swear I sensed something out there in the dark when I had my last potty break. And we both are very interested in all the lizards hanging out on the rocks. Francesca even said she saw a bunny rabbit on her walk.

Prescott has lots of rocks!

So here at the shack, we are settling into a routine. Lots of stuff going on in the morning (because we insist on it), then some rest when it starts warming up. Our owner is trying to get some work done. 

Here's the back of the shack.

We did get a call from back home in the desert. Dr. Paquin, our veterinarian called to say that although some of my lab work was still off because of my renal disease, I was doing very well overall. But then I knew that!

The vet told my owner not to worry about my eating grass.

I have decided the weather in Prescott is pretty nice. I still am not thrilled with the shack and I still would rather be home but we ARE getting more walks during the day!

My owner thinks it's pretty here!

Well, we had a busy morning so it must be time to have lunch!

Love, Cinnamon

Made it to Prescott

Well, we got up early knowing something exciting was to happen! Our travel beds were already in the car and she put more and more stuff in there. Were we moving? Lordy, I hope not!

Here we are taking a last look at our neighborhood. 
The big rainstorm made the sage bloom!

We went out for a potty break. By 9 am it was already too hot to go for a walk. Our owner said it would be cooler in Prescott and that is why we were going. I wasn't too excited about getting in the car because the last time I did, it was to go to the Vet. But Francesca got right in and went in her crate. She sleeps in there on trips.

All loaded up for a road trip to cool!

Once we got on the road, we both went to sleep. In about two hours we woke up and saw that we were no longer in the desert. No saguaros! There were green pastures and things like farm stands. 

Then we saw the sign pointing us to the Historic District of Prescott. We were there! I looked outside and saw old-fashioned saloons, restaurants, a Courthouse with a park around it, and a guy walking his dog on the main street. This was getting really interesting. It might be a good place for dogs! 

But we drove a little further and saw Thumb Butte looming over us. We turned down a dirt road and saw some kind of run-down houses. (Yes, I'm being judgemental!) In the back was the one we would be staying in. Hmmm. Kinda looked like a shack to me. What happened to being a luxury travel dog? Hmmm.

The yard was kinda nice. It had trees and grass I could munch on.
There was no fence so we had to be tied out or be on a leash.

Well, that was interesting. But then we went inside. The door stuck so we had to push it open. Bam! We were in. I looked around. Yep, a shack. While our owner unloaded the car I nosed around and checked everything out. Not impressed. Here's some pictures:

Here I am checking out the living/dining/cooking area.
We did get fed, believe it or not. She brought our bowls.

Here you can see the large utility closet. She put our beds in here.
Yuck!

Francesca decided this would be HER corner. She likes being in the kitchen.
She won't miss a meal that way.

So that's the shack. We'll see if we really do get more walks or not. And, we'll see if there are deer and bears to chase. I might want to go to the historic downtown and see what kind of dog-friendly businesses there are. Prescott seems like a good place for dogs. I'm just not too keen on the shack. Keep checking back and I'll share what I find. 

Meanwhile, it's time for a nap!

Love, Cinnamon

Packing for Prescott

Our owner has been organizing and packing for two days now. I'm worried that she won't be able to fit us in the car with her food, clothing, computer, medications, hiking stuff... and the list goes on. We're simple. We just need our travel beds, Francesca's crate (so she doesn't shed all over the car), food, meds, leashes, toys. Well, I guess we're going to have quite a bit to take too!

This is only a part of our food. We have my kidney diet canned food too.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is worth it. It's only 10 degrees less in Prescott than it is here in our desert. We've been promised more walks. And different scenery. Is that enough to leave all the cushy comforts behind? I love my Coolaroo desert bed and its too large to take! 

And, will Francesca be able to scare off all the wild animals up there? I heard there were deer. AND I'M AFRAID THERE WILL BE BEARS! Oh my. Oh dear.

Do you think she'll be able to protect us?
She looks mighty relaxed here at home!

But she keeps packing. And she thinks it will all fit in the car. We shall see. Wish us luck!

Love, Cinnamon

Cinnamon is Available to be Brand Ambassador to Pet Friendly Travel Destinations

Hi Everybody:

It's me, Cinnamon, the retired dog blogger. So now that I am rested up, and have extra time on my hands I'm working on my retirement hobbies. Travel is high on the list so I want everyone to know that I am on the look-out for pet-friendly destinations, hotels and restaurants to review.

I'm even available for select destinations to be your dog-friendly Brand Ambassador. Sort of like I do for Vancouver USA, my home town.

Since I'm 10 now, I don't do adventure travel. I stick to luxury travel where they have cushy beds and great treats. Does this sound like your place? Just let me know!

Love,
Cinnamon

Luxury Getaway to the San Juan Islands… And bring the dog too!

I’ve been talking for weeks about a very special trip I was going to take… a luxury getaway for me, Cinnamon the Coonhound. The destinations? Anacortes, Washington and San Juan Island, Washington.

We sailed from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and Back Again
on a huge car ferry.

I felt totally pampered and had a great time exploring these northwest Washington destinations. And now that I am home resting up, I’ll tell you all about it.

Dog-friendly Anacortes
When you take a ferry to the San Juan Islands, you’ll most often be leaving from Anacortes on Fidalgo, Island. So we decided to luxuriate a bit before leaving on the ferry. If you stay overnight, check out the beautiful Majestic Inn and Spa. Dogs under 25 pounds (I only wish I was that svelte) are welcome and there is a $50 pet fee.

This is the Majestic Inn in Anacortes
They treat dogs well. But there is a 25 pound limit!

But look at what you get… treats, a doggy bone, cleanup baggies, and a welcome sheet for local dog parks, trails, and grooming services. Dog beds as well as food and water bowls are also available upon request.

But there are lots of interesting places to stay. Travelocity has a great listing of pet-friendly accommodations in the Anacortes area.

What did I like about Anacortes? I enjoyed their downtown dog park with views of the yacht harbor. After chasing a couple of balls there, it was time for a walk along the docks at the Cap Sante Marina. We saw yachts and sailboats for sale, some of the famous (and funny) Anacortes murals and even some of the fish label trash can art. I nosed around the huge W.T. Preston Snagboat ‘cause there was a nice grassy spot that attracted me.

Yacht shopping at the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes

Who the heck are these people and why are they memorialized in a mural?

The W.T. Preston Snag Boat had a nice little grassy place for
me to nose around.

And after that, we walked downtown, peeked in windows and planned for our pre-ferry walk the next morning. Next time I go to Anacortes I’ll check out their wooded hiking trails. They have tons of scenic places for dogs to hike.

I was up bright and early and we drove the short distance to the Ferry Landing. We paid, parked in line and found a trail down to the small beach and noticed a boardwalk in the distance. This was the place my dog-friend Hazel’s owner told us about. It was the Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve. To get to the boardwalk trail you just take one of the paths to the beach and hop on over. You can see birds and, if you are lucky, chase a rabbit!

Here I am waiting for the ferry to arrive.

Luxury Ferry Ride

Soon it was time to get back to the car because the ferry was in. I sat in the front seat so I could get a good view. They loaded us on and, since this was the beginning of the off-season, the whole second car deck was empty. I could walk around and pretend I owned the ferry! We also went through the “people deck” where I sniffed the food they had for sale at the snack bar. But dogs have to remain outside… fooey! It was a beautiful, smooth crossing. My ears flapped in the wind.  I watched for whales but we didn’t see any. I thought there might be bears and deer on the islands we passed.

Even on the car deck, my ears flapped in the wind
as I sniffed the air and enjoyed the ferry trip. It was only about an hour
but the scenery was to die for!

Friday Harbor and My Impressive Penthouse

Once we docked in Friday Harbor we were the first ones to drive off the ferry. We turned right and saw our home for the next two days, Island Inn at 123 West. I walked up the office and was greeted by the staff who gave me a treat. Now they know how to win a coonhound’s heart! I noticed a dog bed and toys and was told that they were for the resident dog…. not really for me!

This is where we stayed in Friday Harbor. Doesn't it remind you of the architecture of
Portland's Pearl District. Our Penthouse was at the top left.. the yellow walls with windows.

Then up the outdoor stairs we went. We climbed to the very top to Penthouse 7, our luxury accommodation. We opened the beautiful doors and there it was! A Euro-chic penthouse with huge windows and hardwood floors. There was original art throughout this one-bedroom, two bath, full-kitchen HUGE penthouse. And, next to the fireplace was something just for me!

They really know how to treat dogs at Island Inn 123 West!
A raised set of stainless bowls, a dog bed, a towel in case I want to relax on the couch (I did that),
pick up bags, cookies and a special dog paw sign. How luxurious is this!

Of course I needed some food and water in my fancy raised stainless steel bowls. And, perhaps one of those special treats!

Island Inn at 123 West has three dog friendly spaces.
I got to play with my new toy in our Penthouse.

After we checked out the penthouse, we decided it was time to explore San Juan Island. We picked up a lunch at the San Juan Island Cheese Company and headed for the dog park! Near the airport we found Eddie and Friends Dog Park, a two-acre park with woods and balls to chase. There were a couple of island dogs there but I just wanted to sniff around.

Here I am sniffing around at Eddie and Friends Dog Park

But we had much more to see. We drove for awhile and turned in to American Camp National Historic Park. When Great Britain and the United States in 1859 agreed to a joint occupation of San Juan Island until the water boundary between the two nations could be settled, it was decided that camps would be located on opposite ends of the island. This is where the Americans hung out.

My owner thought the whitewashed buildings were beautiful.

There were buildings and fences. We hiked around and then saw a trail to Granny’s Cove. Now my owner is a Grandmother so we decided we MUST see Granny’s Cove. I did a lot of sniffing on that hike. I think ground squirrels and rabbits used those trails. Then we saw it… the ocean and Granny’s Cove. I wanted to go down to the beach but my owner wouldn’t let me.

Here I am at Granny's Cove wishing I could
go play on the beach but noooo....

We did some more sightseeing in the car (because I was tired) and then headed back to the Penthouse for dinner and a relaxing evening watching…. What? The Vice Presidential Candidate’s Debate? I would have much preferred The Animal Channel.

It got chilly so we turned on the gas fireplace and I went to sleep cuddled up on the couch warmed by the glow of the fire. It had been a good day and I was truly luxuriating.

Good Night!

San Juan Island – Sunny Day

Our day started at dawn.
I couldn't blame my owner for waking me up to see THIS!

The next morning we woke up at dawn to see an amazing sunrise. I would have slept longer but my owner wanted to take pictures. We went for a walk from the Overlook Park next to Friday Harbor House. They were having breakfast overlooking Friday Harbor and the marina (no one invited me in for a luxury breakfast, unfortunately).  We went past the Whale Museum and checked out the beautiful fall leaves at the Court House.

I liked walking under these trees on the old Courthouse lawn.

We returned for breakfast and planned a day going to Roche Harbor to see the sights. I heard they had a dog park there and I needed to check it out, of course. We drove all the way (25 min.) to Roche Harbor passing a winery, huge cows in their pastures and even a camel (yes, really). Finally we got to Roche Harbor and drove to the marina and historic resort. We walked the docks. I sniffed around and tried to board a couple of yachts but I was on my leash so didn’t quite make it.

Here I am sniffing around the docks at Roche Harbor.
I also checked out the huge yachts.

We walked past the old Lime Kilns, through the formal gardens and along the water. It was a glorious sunny day. I loved Roche Harbor.  I hear it is dog friendly so I think I’d like to go stay there sometime. They had my kind of yachts there, big enough to run around on.

You can tell why I want to have a vacation here next time.
Isn't Roche Harbor amazing? And they have plenty of places for dogs to walk.
And, in the summer, the restaurant has a deck where dogs are allowed!

Then I saw a sign, “To the Dog Park!” So of course we had to follow the sign up the hill. And then I went into the dog park. It was surrounded by woods and had beautiful green grass. There weren’t any other dogs there so I just relaxed and sniffed around. My owner sat on a bench in the sun and let me have free time. I loved that park!

This sign led me to the Dog Park.
We passed the historic Hotel De Haro and
the old Lime Kilns.

Soon it was time to leave and go to our next stop… the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park. I wasn’t too into art but I soon realized this was a very special place. They welcome dogs and, in fact, dogs could be off leash if they are well-behaved. Well, I’m not all that reliable off-leash so I went with my owner to enjoy the sculptures, the trails and the nice people who couldn’t resist petting me. My favorite sculpture was a big green frog by the pond. I’ll be there were real frogs in the pond, too!

So much to see at the Sculpture Park. I loved
that it was dog friendly! The people were nice too. They petted me.

This was my favorite sculpture.
He was down by the pond. I even went wading in
the pond at the Sculpture Garden.

We really enjoyed our time there but we had one more important stop to make… the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. Why would you take a dog to a lavender farm? Well, this one is VERY dog friendly!

The lavender farm is organic, huge, and they make products with their own lavender. I heard they had some great dog products there! I wanted to go shopping. But first we walked out into the fields. The first thing I noticed was that I smelled the sweet smell of lavender even though the blooms were past their prime. I saw some huge metal sculptures by the artist Micajah Bienvenue  that looked like the ones I saw in Roche Harbor too.

You could walk on a trail in the Lavender fields
and check out the metal sculptures.

But then it was time to go to the Visitor Center and shop. We opened the door and I was hit with an even stronger smell of lavender. The lady inside said it was fine for me to come in… so I did. And I sniffed everything. I was starting to feel sleepy so we went outside to look at the displays and learn a bit about how they process the lavender. I spied a dog house so had to go over and take a look. That was where they displayed their dog products. Imagine! Luxury lavender products for dogs!

Here I am with my personal shopper
at the Pelindaba Lavender Shop. They were so nice to me!
Here she is showing me a dog pillow filled with lavender. I sniffed it (I sniffed everything!)

We went back inside to do our shopping and the nice lady showed me each and every dog product. And I found out they have a shop not so far from where I live. It’s in the Pearl District of Portland.

Here I am checking out the dog house.
It was filled with lavender products for dogs!

I was sleepy from all that lavender so it was time to head back to our luxury Penthouse, have dinner and then take a little walk along the docks before bedtime.  It had been a perfect day… sunshine, good smells, walking and shopping. What more could I ask for!

You never know what you will see when you walk the docks.
Here is a seal looking for a fishy hand-out.

Here I am falling asleep after all that lavender!

I went to sleep dreaming of my next luxury vacation… Roche Harbor! But I don’t think I’ll tell Francesca how wonderful my trip was or she’ll want to come too!

When You Go
Of course my advice is… take your dog!

Visit Anacortes
Visit San Juan Islands
Washington State Ferries

Dog Friendly Kirkland, Washington - Put it on my list

We've been seeing quite a bit of the Doggie Country Club lately and not doing a lot of traveling. I kind of miss the days when I traveled to the beach, wrote dog-friendly travel reviews and enjoyed myself. But now that Francesca is with us, I guess it's double the work for our owner. Well, maybe only until Francesca gets a bit older. A dog can only hope!

Meanwhile I am putting together a wish list of where I want to travel. Recently our owner went to Kirkland, Washington. It's one of those places that has a dog water dish in front of every business... my kinda place. Here's why I want to go:

The Kirkland Heathman Hotel allows dogs.

The Heathman is located downtown within walking distance of the lake and parks. In fact, they love dogs and love to pamper them. Check out their pet-pampering package.

This bulldog was eating up the attention (and the chips)

From the Heathman you can walk to restaurants with outside patios where dogs are welcome. A great place for the humans to refresh on a warm day. The Heathman has a restaurant, Trellis, with an outdoor patio too.

Outdoor, pet-friendly patio.

Now if you want to go shopping, that will be convenient too. Within walking distance you can visit Booboo Barkery and Boutique. They had fresh baked dog biscuits, toys and even a birthday cake. 

A great birthday cake for those who actually know their birthdate.
I don't

So, once you've dined and shopped, it's time to head for the lake. Now you all know how much I like boats and fishing but this lake was a "fancy" type of lake. There are yachts, beautiful sailboats and lakefront condominiums. There are also docks to explore and parks galore.

I might like a ride on this yacht!

Kirkland has a whole page of things to do with your dog. I really think I should go there and explore. I'll watch my in-box for an email inviting me!

I love walking out on docks and enjoying the view.

But for now, I'll just dream about my next getaway!

Love, Cinnamon