Gracie's Bark | Pet Friendly Resource

Join Us Sunday at Manypaws Pet Villa for Santa Photos With Your Dog!

Please join us this weekend on Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Manypaws Pet Villa (aka American Canine) in Westport, MA.

Santa will be at the Villa for pictures with your pooch! No Cost for the photos, donations accepted to support the work of Animal Advocates in Dartmouth, MA. Photos available for pick-up after December 9th, or we will be happy to email your picture. All dogs must be in good health and on-leash. Guests are also welcome to bring their own camera!

Photos this year will be taken by Gracie's mom & dad! Stop by the Villa and you can see where Gracie goes to doggie daycare. You will also have a chance to meet Gracie's favorite trainer Marcia Albert! 

We have been taking Gracie to Many Paws Pet Villa since she was just about one year old. We've participated in some great training classes with Marcia Albert @ Many Paws Pet Villa and Gracie is a weekly visitor for doggie daycare. She even has her own hook to hang her leash on with her name on it. Joan & Karen are both wonderful and treat Gracie as if she were their own dog. This past summer we recently had to board her there for 1 week and it ended up being that I had a harder time with it than Gracie did. She has developed such a close relationship with both Joan & Karen that she became very comfortable staying with them. We don't know what we would do with out Many Paws Pet Villa. We are very grateful to have such a great place to take Gracie!

While you are in the area, don't forget to check out some of Gracie's favorite dog friendly beaches and reserves! Click here... for details.

 

We Have a Winner for Gracie's Dog Blog Anniversary Contest!

Congrats to Stacie and Daisy from Leicester, MA! Thank you for celebrating Gracie's 1 year anniversary with us! We will be mailing your prize shortly and making our a donation in your honor this weekend at a local animal shelter in our area!

The correct answers to our contest were: 

1. What kind of dog (breed) is Gracie?  Aussie/Lab mix
2. What color is Gracie’s Tail? Brown/Black with a White Tip
3. What color eyes does Gracie have? 1 Brown and 1 Blue/White (Aussie Blue Merle)
4. What is Gracie’s favorite adventure? Beach or Gooseberry Island
5. Last year, Gracie was given a souvenir... What was it? Fish Hook
6. What other animal lives with Gracie and what is his name? Cat named Luke
7. What are vibrissae? Where are the three places they are found? In 2 words, describe what they do? Whiskers. Muzzle, Above the eyes, Below the jaw. Used for Guidance & Balance.
8. What musician dedicated something in his song to his dog? What was it? What kind of dog did he have? Paul McCartney. Ultrasonic Whistle. Shetland Sheep Dog.
9. Where did the expression “three dog night” come from? What does it mean? The expression "three dog night" originated with the Eskimos and means a very cold night - so cold that you have to bed down with three dogs to keep warm.
10. What brings trust, appreciation, love, and prosperity?  Grace, of course!

From the whiskers on my nose to the tip of my tail, Thank you!

Your dedication to my dog blog is paw-sitively appreciated!!

 

Gracie's Dog Blog Contest: You and Your Dog Could Still Win!

We've been receiving some great answers to Gracie's anniversary dog trivia questions. We are not posting any of the answers yet. We want to make sure the contest remains fair and all answers are original to the participants.

We seem to be having trouble with trivia question number 8:

What musician dedicated something in his song to his dog? What was it? What kind of dog did he have? 

We've got some great answers, but it doesn't match the musician Gracie was thinking of. So here is a clue to try and help: whistle

Good luck! Click here... to find out how you and your dog can win Gracie's Anniversary Celebratory Contest!

 

It's Time to Celebrate Gracie's Dog Blog with Dog Trivia!

Today marks Gracie’s 1 year anniversary of her dog blog and she wants to celebrate with all of you!

There are 10 trivia questions below. If you are the first person to answer all 10 correctly, you will not only win a very special anniversary gift, but Gracie will also make a donation to a local animal shelter in your honor!

All answers should be posted below by commenting on this blog post. Good Luck! 

1. What kind of dog (breed) is Gracie?
2. What color is Gracie’s Tail?
3. What color eyes does Gracie have?
4. What is Gracie’s favorite adventure?
5. Last year, Gracie was given a souvenir... What was it?
6. What other animal lives with Gracie and what is his name?
7. What are vibrissae? Where are the three places they are found on dogs? In 2 words, describe what they do? 
8. What musician dedicated something in his song to his dog? What was it? What kind of dog did he have? 
9. Where did the expression “three dog night” come from? What does it mean? 
10. What brings trust, appreciation, love, and prosperity?

 

"From the whiskers on my nose to the tip of my tail, Thank you! Your dedication to my dog blog is paw-sitively appreciated" 

If you have any questions about our anniversary contest, please email us at [email protected]. 

Pet Friendly Events Happening this Weekend

Gracie is dedicated to helping pet owners and their dogs find fun places to go and fun things to do throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos with Santa

 

Saturday, November 20, 2010 & Sunday, November 21, 2010

12:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Location: MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Methuen, MA

Cost: $10

Bring your kids, dogs, cats, or other pet friend (on a leash or in a crate, please) for a photo with Santa. Each photo session is just $10 and includes a 4x6 print available the same day. Order additional prints, greeting cards, mugs, t-shirts, and other merchandise online for holiday gift-giving. Order a second print to be placed on a photo ornament, bearing your pet's name, for our first ever Nevins Farm Holiday Tree. Honor your pet and help Nevins Farm animals without a home for the holidays. More...

 

Perfect Paws Pet Ministry

 

Sunday, November 21, 2010 (or every third Sunday of every month)

5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Location: Calvary Episcopal Church, Danvers, MA

A special half-hour worship service for humans and their much loved animal companions (canines that are leashed, and other household pets in carrying crates) from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month. The Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, offers a Holy Eucharist and homily for the humans, and each companion animal is offered a treat at the end of the service. More...

 

Bring Your Pets to Visit Santa

 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 (every Tuesday in November & December)

5:00 p.m.

Location: South Shore Plaza, Braintree, MA

The four-legged members of the family are invited to join the fun at South Shore Plaza and have their own turn on Santa’s lap Tuesdays in November and December, starting at 5 p.m., through December 21. This is the purrr-fect chance to capture a moment of your furry friend celebrating the holidays.

 

If you are interested in posting a dog friendly event, please email Gracie at [email protected] with complete details of the event(s). Pictures and videos are welcome, space permitting.  

Gracie enjoying Sandy Neck and Craigville Beach, two of the many beautiful pet friendly beaches on Cape Cod

For anyone in the SouthCoast and beyond looking for a beautiful pet friendly place to take their dog on a beautiful fall day, Cape Cod, MA is definitely worth the drive. We spent the day on Cape Cod on Saturday, November 13, 2010 and had a fabulous time! 

Our first stop was the Cape Cod Canal for a quick water break. The views were breathtaking! 

 

Sandy Neck Beach Park located in Barnstable, MA was our second stop and our planned destination for the day. This was a beautiful beach with miles and miles of seashore available to walk along. Gracie had a blast running and sniffing all along the shoreline. 

 

There is an off-road beach, a public beach and trails here. Dogs are allowed on the trails and on the Off-Road beach area anytime (but stay on water side) throughout the year, but they are not allowed on the public beach from May 15 to September 15. 

We took some great pictures and videos of Gracie enjoying herself over at Sandy Neck Beach.

 

After our adventure at Sandy Neck Beach, we stopped by Craigville Beach in Centerville, MA which is also pet friendly. Gracie had a nice leisurely stroll here.

After a wonderful fun filled day, we wanted to stop by one of our favorite pet stores on Cape Cod called Hot Diggity. Gracie loves when we surprise her with a yummy treat. Hot Diggity is located in Mashpee Commons and offers posh products for dogs and their owners, including collars & leashes, beds, apparel, toys, gourmet treats, all natural food and more! 

Ready for the ride home...

So take some time out of your busy schedule and make the journey over to Cape Cod, MA. You and your dog will love it, Gracie and I guarantee it! 

And don't forget to take some pictures of your dog having fun down the Cape and share them with us on Gracie's Bark!

Gracie gives Sandy Neck Beach a 5 out of 5 paw star of approval!

             

 

Pet Friendly Beaches on Cape Cod

"In the car home I fall asleep, curled into a heap"

 

We can’t begin to explain how much Gracie loves to walk and run at the beach. We bring her every weekend and enjoy watching her romp around in the sand.  And, we all know "a tired dog is a happy dog".

It’s a great time of year right now to bring your dog to the beach. Most beaches allow dogs during the off-season and it is a great place for you and your dog to get some exercise.

We always like mentioning our two favorite beaches close to home: Gooseberry Island and Horseneck Beach. We are regulars at these two locations throughout the year and off-season.

Rain or shine, we always make an effort to bring her to her favorite place.

But recently, we have been talking about taking some day trips to Cape Cod to explore their beautiful sandy beaches with Gracie. We’ve done some research and wanted to share our findings with all of you.

Dogs are welcome in the off-season on most Cape Cod beaches, with some restrictions:

Brewster Beaches

Dogs are prohibited from all beaches in the Town of Brewster between June 1st and October 1st. They are allowed the rest of the year.

Chatham Town Beaches

Dogs are allowed on Hardings, Lighthouse, and Ridgevale beaches only from mid-September the end of May and must be leashed.

Dennis Town Beaches

Dogs are allowed on Chapin, Mayflower, Howes Street and Sea Street beaches only during the off-season, from after Labor Day up to Memorial Day, with the exception of Chapin Beach, where dogs are allowed year-round on the four wheel drive area of Chapin Beach.

Barnstable Town Beaches

Dogs are permitted on Craigville, Kalmus, and Sandy Neck only during the off-season, from September 15 to May 15. Dogs must be on leash or under voice control.

Falmouth Town Beaches

Dogs are not allowed on Menauhant, Surf Drive, and Old Silver beaches during the summer from May 1 through October 1. During the off-season, leashed dogs are allowed all day.

Harwich Town Beach

Leashed dogs are allowed on Red River Beach during the off-season, from October to mid-May.

Orleans Town Beaches

Dogs are allowed on Nauset and Skaket beaches only during the off-season, from after Columbus Day to the Friday before Memorial Day. Dogs are allowed off leash, but must be under voice control.

Provincetown Town Beaches

Dogs on leash are allowed year-round. During the summer, from 6am to 9am, dogs are allowed off-leash.

Sandwich Town Beaches

Leashed dogs are allowed on East Sandwich and Town Neck beaches only during the off-season, from October through March. Dogs must be leashed and people need to clean up after their pets.

Sandy Neck Beach

There is an off-road beach, a public beach and  trails here. Dogs are allowed on the trails and on the Off-Road beach area anytime (but stay on water side) throughout the year, but they are not allowed on the public beach from May 15 to September 15. Dogs are not allowed in the primitive camp area.

Truro Town Beaches

During the summer, dogs are allowed on Ballston, Corn Hill, Fisher, Great Hollow, Head of the Meadow, Longnook and Ryder beaches only before 9am and after 6pm. This policy is in effect from  the third weekend in June through Labor Day. Off-season, dogs are allowed all day.

Cape Cod National Seashore

The park offers a 40-mile stretch of pristine sandy beaches. Dogs on leash are allowed year-round on all of the seashore beaches, except for seasonally posted nesting or lifeguarded beaches. Leashed pets are also allowed on fire roads, and the Head of the Meadow bicycle trail in Truro.

Wellfleet Town Beaches

Dogs are allowed on Marconi, Cahoon Hollow, and White Crest beaches during the summer, only before 9am and after 6pm. During the off-season, from after Labor Day to the end of June, dogs are allowed all day.

 

We hope that you take some time out of your busy schedule and enjoy a beautiful fall walk on one of these Cape Cod beaches with your dog. We are making our plans right now to visit the Cape with Gracie!

Don’t forget to share your experiences with Gracie’s Bark! We would love to hear a “bark” back from all our friends in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond! Email us anytime at [email protected]. 

 

Inaugural 2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Walk in Boston, MA

Gracie is dedicated to helping pet owners and their dogs find fun places to go and fun things to do throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Check out this weekend's very special pet friendly event in Boston, MA!

5,615 Out of 2 Million Dogs Have Pledged…

Sign up now for the Inaugural 2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Walk in Boston this Sunday November 7^th!  There will never be another first time like this to Puppy Up! against cancer.

In March 2008 a man and his two dogs embarked on a cross country trek that was inspired by the loss of his Great Pyrenees to cancer. Some of you have heard the story of Luke Robinson, Hudson and Murphy… read more!

It all began with a promise to raise awareness of canine cancer one mile, one city, and one person at time. Luke Robinson with his two dogs walked 2000 miles from Austin to Boston to fulfill the promise he made to his dog Malcolm who died from this horrible disease.

2 Million Dogs was formed on the belief that if 2 dogs can walk 2000 miles to bring awareness to cancer surely 2 million dogs can walk 2 miles. Their mission benefits the study of canine cancer and comparative oncology.

Be a part of history this November 7th as thousands in cities all across America join in on the promise to 
bring awareness to cancer.

Sign up now for the Inaugural 2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Walk in Boston… there will never be another first time like this to Puppy Up! against cancer.

Visit 2milliondogs.org to sign up or for more information.

A cancer-free world starts with one step, each mile at a time. 

2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Walk 

 

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Registration: $20 per person to pre-register online on or before November 5, 2010 / $25 per person the day of event

Location: Jacobson Floral, 500 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118

(Across the street from the Urban Hound Hotel) Off street parking available behind the building.

Registration starts at 1pm

1 mile Outdoor City Walk begins at 2pm

Outdoor Festival - 1pm - 6pm

 

If you are interested in posting a dog friendly event, please email Gracie at [email protected] with complete details of the event(s). Pictures and videos are welcome, space permitting.  

Check Out Gus! Gracie's November Spotlight Dog

Megan from Millis, MA contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight her Black Lab Gus.

"I acquired Gus last year on October 24^th.  A friend had notified me that he knew of a Black Lab whose owner just didn’t have time for the energy it takes to have a young lab.  He was going to give him to a rescue league.  I met with them and I was sold instantly.  I am currently living at home attempting to save and knew that my decision was not the only one needed.  I spoke with my mother and she agreed to meet him.  My mother fell in love with him just as easily as I did, my father just went with the flow.  I went back the following weekend and picked him up.  Unfortunately I had to change his name, from Larry – which is my father’s name, that just wasn’t going to work.  So I thought about it all day, and decided on Gus, he sat in this funny position and it just clicked, his name was Gus. 

Gus was a handful at first, he had no idea how big he was and wanted to get as close to you as possible.  He is very smart and doesn’t like to get bored.  That was difficult to manage in the beginning because he was constantly getting into trouble, tearing up magazines, going for sneakers or tearing apart a down comforter, although the sight of him covered in feathers was quite humorous.  We have become much more puppy proofed but also over time he has calmed down his troublesome ways.  I entered him in Beginner training classes at Petsmart in Bellingham Ma and then the Intermediate level.  His trainer Cassie Stock is fantastic and the classes were very helpful.  We plan on starting up classes again in the winter. 

Gus has come a long way in a year.  He rarely jumps up to greet anyone, he settles down very quickly after he has shown visitors his ball or his bone.  His recalls are great and I love walking him off leash or going to the lake/beach with him.  He loves to swim and will play fetch for as long as you allow.  He is in daycare once a week, Happy Tails in Franklin Ma.  It is a good energy buster and he really enjoys going.  That is also where I board him while out of town and it puts my mind at ease to know he is in such great care.  He starts waiting for me at the door at 530 each work day, he knows the difference of a work day and the weekend and even lets me sleep in on Sundays.  He has come to work with me a few times and everyone loves him.  He understands when I am sick and he hates it if I cry.  He is truly my best friend and I am very lucky to have been able to bring him into my life.  He literally follows me around like a puppy and I just love having him at my heals."

 
Gus is extremely handsome and we want to thank him for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Every month Gracie will spotlight a dog. We are still looking for our December spotlight.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to [email protected] and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting. 

Hurry and email us with your dog's story. 2010 is coming to an end soon. At the end of this year, we will be putting all our 2010 Spotlight Dogs into a doggie bag and picking one to win a special thank you gift from Gracie!

We look forward to hearing from you soon! [email protected]