For the first three years of our travels the Winnebago was our only vehicle. And, excluding a few exceptional cases like Austin and Florence, you don’t find a lot of RV parks within walking distance of the things you’d like to do. That meant packing up our home and moving it every time we needed milk, wanted to take a hike, or found time for a little site seeing.

Or not …

Putting things away and getting the RV ready to drive really doesn’t take long – everything can be ready to roll in about fifteen minutes – it’s more of a mental hurdle. When we corralled a couple of hours of free time, we’d often find ourselves gripped by laziness and opt to stay put rather than do a little exploring with the dogs. It was starting to crimp our style.

The Reasoning

(Remember, we’re recovering accountants … there’s always reasoning.)

The reason we initially decided to travel without a toad is that … oh wait, you look confused. We’re having a lovely converstaion about vehicles and suddenly I’ve gone off on a tangent about amphibians. Let me explain. In RV jargon “toad” is short for “towed vehicle,” and right from the beginning we decided we didn’t want one. We chose the Winnebago for it’s maneuverability, which would be bashed to smithereens if we started dragging a car behind us. And, truth be told, I was a little afraid of towing. I’d never done it before, and driving a twenty-four foot long RV seemed like plenty without adding a car onto the back.

And, Things Change

(Evidence that we are definitely recovering accountants.)

We rescued the RAV4, which was wrapped in GoPetFriendly.com advertising back when it was our road trip chariot, out of storage in November and took it with us to Austin for the winter. In retrospect, that was our downfall. We got used to being able to load the boys up in the car and take them on short jaunts or day trips. When we left the RAV behind with friends a hit the road for the summer, we realized how much we missed the convenience. So we decided to try towing.

It goes without saying that Buster is thrilled to have his “fort” back, and we’ve discovered that towing isn’t that hard after all. The only unnerving thing is that you CAN’T back up – putting the Winnebago in reverse with the car attached could bend the tow bar and that would cost a pretty penny to fix. So, you have to be very cautious about where you drive into. Getting fuel in a some gas stations can be tricky and finding parking is now a little more of a challenge – even Rod’s parellel parking skills can’t wrangle this combination!

I’m sure at some point we’ll find ourselves between a rock and a hard place and we’ll have to disconnect the car and move the two vehicles separately. But, it’s worth the risk for the additional mobility the car gives us. We’ve already noticed we’re doing a lot more in the places we visit than when we just had the Winnebago … and that’s good for us and good for you, too!

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Welcome to the weekly GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG photo challenge … where we post your pet travel pictures and you guess the dog friendly destinations. LIFE+DOG is the premier lifestyle magazine for dog lovers – go on, give them a sniff!

Last Week’s Winner

Photo Copyright: McGrady, The Fabulous Deaf Dog, and Friends

Thanks to everyone who played last week, and congratulations to Susan S. of  Gastonia, North Carolia - she correctly identified this pet friendly destination as Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia! We hope you enjoy your “Travels with Ty & Buster” calendar, Susan!

Let’s See Your Photos …

Many thanks to McGrady, The Fabulous Deaf Dog, and Friends for sharing last week’s pet travel photo. If you want your pet to be a SUPER STAR, submit your photos and they could be featured on GoPetFriendly.com and in LIFE+DOG!

This Week’s Photo Challenge

Thinking you never win anything? We hear that from our winners all the time! This week it could be your turn … if you know where the photo below was taken, submit your answer in the entry form.

For the winner …

Each week we randomly select one winner from the correct entries to receive a “Travels with Ty & Buster” 18-month wall calendar.

And the photo is …

This week’s photo of Phoebe on the beach was submitted by Abbey Schroeder who can be found on Instagram at @abbeylovesdogs.  Your hint: This small Hawaiian beach is consistently named one of the best in the world and, despite having no public parking, restrooms, or lifeguards, is a popular spot for fashion shoots.

Photo Copyright: Abbey Schroeder (Instagram @abbeylovesdogs)

Contest entry …

The Fine Print

This week’s contest closes on Wednesday, June 19th at 11:59 pm EST. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents over the age of 18, except were prohibited. All correct submissions will be assigned a number and the winner will be selected using www.randomizer.org. Winners will be notified by email and announced on our Facebook page and in next week’s Photo Challenge post. The decision of the judges is final. The winner of the prize is responsible for any and all applicable taxes on the prize. Employees and relatives of GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG are not eligible to win.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Last week you got a look at pet friendly Albuquerque. Today I want to tell you about a couple of day trips you can take out of the city for a little more pet friendly exploration. Our first stop will be about two hours south in Truth or Consequences.

Truth or Consequences

Formerly known as Hot Springs, the little town of Truth or Consequences changed it’s name in 1950 as part of a publicity stunt concocted for the popular Ralph Edwards radio show by the same name. Actually, Hot Springs was a much more explicative moniker, because a visit to TorC is all about the naturally occurring hot springs that surface here and have soothed humans in this area for centuries.

Several resorts and bath houses – ranging from delightful to ramshackle – provide access to their pools, and we found that Riverbend Hot Springs Resort and Spa was just what the doctor ordered.

Though we didn’t see any when we were there, you’re encouraged to bring your small dogs with you to the sunbathing deck, where an elevated and shaded bed is provided for their comfort. Dogs aren’t allowed in the pools or on the pool deck, but at a temperatures of more than 100 degrees they probably wouldn’t like it anyway.

The resort sits right on a bend in the Rio Grande and watching the river saunter by while you’re taking a soak is a great way to spend a couple of hours. We were lucky to be there during a full moon and watching the moonrise from behind the mountain was one of the highlights of our stay.

Of couse, you can’t sit in the pools constantly or you’ll look like a prune! Buster was pleased to find out that this little town has a very nice off-leash dog park within easy walking distance of the resort. We made our way over there several times for some romping around.

We also found a few pet friendly restaurants, like the sidewalk seating at the Turtleback Oasis and the courtyard seating at the Cafe BellaLuka and the Happy Belly Deli. While you could explore it in a day, there’s definitely enough here to entertain you for a couple of days.

Madrid, New Mexico

In the opposite direction of TorC, about an hour from Albuquerque, is the funky little artist community of Madrid. Once a mining town and then a ghost town, this little village has found new life and now has a collection of over 40 shops and galleries as well as restaurants and lodging. Located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, which links Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Madrid is the perfect place to spend an afternoon perusing the shops and joining the locals for a bite to eat.

Distinctly less structured that it’s metropolitan neighbors, in Madrid people walk in the streets, dogs roam off-leash, and signs remind motorists to slow down for kids playing in the street.

If you make the trip to Madrid, be sure to have lunch at The Hollar. You’re likely to find live music in the courtyard and your pooch will love having their own menu!

Ty and Buster thought it was a hoot – but really, who’d go for a Milk-bone with all of those other terrific options?

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Kimpton Hotels has a passion for our furry friends and to show their love they’re hosting the third annual Kimpton Pet Photo Contest. All you have to do is submit your pet’s photo now to join the fun! Ruff-ly every two weeks between June 1st and July 31st, the five entries with the most votes will advance to the final round. Each of the finalists will receive a great prize package from Olive, Chewy.com, Polka Dog Bakery, Bergan, Quaker, and FIDO Friendly magazine.

Ty’s thinking of submitting this one:

Or maybe this one:

Once the four rounds are complete, judges from Animal Radio will determine which of the 20 finalists will win the ”Ultimate hosPETality Getaway,” which includes:

• Two round trip tickets on JetBlue for human passengers
• $100 Kimpton Restaurant or in-room dining gift certificate
• In-room spa treatment for two
• Bergan pet travel carrier and auto harness
• Choice of Cookie Treat Quatro or grooming gift set from Olive
• Pet amenities such as dog bed, bowls, and treats during your getaway

Do you have a favorite Ty and Buster photo that you recommend we enter in the contest?

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Welcome to the weekly GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG photo challenge … where we post your pet travel pictures and you guess the dog friendly destinations.

LIFE+DOG is the premier lifestyle magazine for dog lovers – go on, give them a sniff!

Last Week’s Winner

Photo Copyright: Samantha Brooke Photography

Thanks to everyone who played last week, and congratulations to Emily B. of  Williamsburg, VA - she correctly identified this pet friendly destinations as her hometown … Williamsburg, Virginia! We hope you enjoy your “Travels with Ty & Buster” calendar, Emily!

Let’s See Your Photos …

Many thanks to Samantha Brook of Samantha Brook Photography for sharing last week’s pet travel photo. If you want your pet to be a SUPER STAR, submit your photos and they could be featured on GoPetFriendly.com and in LIFE+DOG!

This Week’s Photo Challenge

Thinking you never win anything? We hear that from our winners all the time! This week it could be your turn … if you know where the photo below was taken, submit your answer in the entry form.

For the winner …

Each week we randomly select one winner from the correct entries to receive a “Travels with Ty & Buster” 18-month wall calendar.

And the photo is …

This gorgeous photo almost looks to perfect to be real! It’s McGrady and his sister, Sydney, of the sensational McGrady, The Fabulous Deaf Dog, and Friends posing in the early morning light.  Your hint: One of the most photographed places in the United States, you’ll find this mill at Mile Post 176.

Photo Copyright: McGrady, The Fabulous Deaf Dog, and Friends

Contest entry …

The Fine Print

This week’s contest closes on Wednesday, June 12th at 11:59 pm EST. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents over the age of 18, except were prohibited. All correct submissions will be assigned a number and the winner will be selected using www.randomizer.org. Winners will be notified by email and announced on our Facebook page and in next week’s Photo Challenge post. The decision of the judges is final. The winner of the prize is responsible for any and all applicable taxes on the prize. Employees and relatives of GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG are not eligible to win.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Longer than it took me to learn to walk, talk, and feed myself … longer than those awkward high school years … longer than my first marriage. I’ve learned more, grown more, and never been more happy as I have in these past four years. Looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful.

When we started down this path four years ago we met some other folks who were just finding their way into blogging, too. They became some of my best friends – they’ve pulled me along through the tough times and celebrated the successes. They’ve been there since the beginning and I don’t thank them enough, so I want to make today about them …

Kim blogging at This One Wild Life – her connection to nature and the videos she produces are matched only by her supurb sense of humor.

Pamela blogging at Something Wagging This Way Comes – the wisest among us, she always comes from the heart.

Mary-Alice blogging at Dog Jaunt – my compatriot in pet travel! She’s dedicated beyond belief to the cause.

Edie blogging at Freud’s Butcher – eloquent and well-researched – she’s a true professional. Reading Edie’s blog is not only interesting and entertaining, it make me a better writer.

Karen blogging at Doggie Stylish – she’s on top of everything – the whirling dervish of blogging … with a humdinger thrown in now and then for good measure.

Carrie blogging at Tales and Tails – two Greyhounds and two German Shepherds makes for plenty of great material, but her photography will break your heart … because you’ll never be that good.

Mel blogging at No Dog About It – she’ll make a point, take a stand, and fight for what’s right, because no one loves dogs more than Mel.

Mary blogging at Dancing Dog Blog – she wades into the controversial topics with a diligence and dedication that challenges, stretches, and makes us better people.

Maggie blogging at Oh My Dog! - Maggie is an inspiration. She loves three dogs – each with their own challenges, kicked cancer’s butt, and is now off on a great adventure in Louisiana. She’s spitfire and grace, personified.

Thank you, ladies, for all you’ve shared with me over the past four years. I wouldn’t be here without you!

And, thanks to you - our readers, friends we’ve made in person and though the Internet over the years, Facebook and Twitter communities, and new friends on Google+ and Instagram. Without you, none of what we do would matter. That you enjoying traveling vicariously with us brings me more joy than you can imagine.

Here’s to another great year for us all! Waggin’ trails!

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Albuquerque is nestled up against the Sandia Mountains where the Rio Grande moseys through the high desert of central New Mexico. Not only is it a scenic location, but the nearly perfect weather combined with the plethora of outdoor activities make it an absolute jackpot for pet travelers. This was our second visit to ABQ – and the first time we really had a chance to explore. We were impressed … and you will be, too!

Mauger Estate Bed and Breakfast

Where you choose to stay has a big impact on your trip and you’ll find a huge selection of pet friendly hotels in ABQ. Taking an occasional break from the Winnebago is good for our sanity (the visit also coincided with our wedding anniversary), so we took this opportunity stretch out  … and if you’re looking for a truly pet friendly and unique experience, you won’t find better accommodations than the Mauger Estate Bed & Breakfast.

Located in a lovely residential area of downtown, the B&B is walking distance from Old Town, pet friendly restaurants, a dog park, and several city parks for your sniffing pleasure. The proprietor, Tammy, set out a delectable spread each morning – including homemade granola that will nock your socks off – and a lovely glass of wine and snack in the evening. But, what tickled Buster and Ty beyond belief was that our room had it’s own private yard … complete with doggy door!

All the boys’ needs were attended to, with dog beds, treats, bowls and designated dog towels awaiting us when we arrived. One of my favorite features of a pet friendly room is having a private entrance to easily shuttle Ty and Buster in and out – and The Mauger Estate checked that box as well. The locking gate from the yard provided security for the dogs to play and made it a cinch to come and go. All of this for just an additional $20 per stay – a reasonable pet fee if I’ve ever seen one!

Old Town Albuquerque

From the B&B, follow the sidewalk medallions about a mile and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Albuquerque’s Old Town. Many of the shops around the plaza are happy to have your pooch join you as you browse – but, if shopping isn’t their thing, you can take turns hanging out in the park for a little people watching.

If you’re looking for a fun way to see more of the city, take your pooch and grab the pet friendly ABQ Trolley from the plaza. This 90-minute tour will provide a peek at the best that Albuquerque has to offer with guides that make the experience one to remember.

Petroglyph National Monument

When it’s time to get out for a hike, ABQ offers a lot of options. We took a quick drive west of town to the Petroglyph National Monument Visitors Center and picked up maps for their three pet friendly trails. Rinconada Canyon Trail was the closest, and Ty and Buster were anxious to get going, so we set out on the 2.5 mile walk in search of the ancient figures carved into the rocks.

Look, I think Ty found one! ;-)

Buster thinks this one looks like a turtle.

The Native Americans believe the images carved into the lava rocks are as old as time. Walking through this unique landscape it’s easy to imagine the artists laboring over their creations for hours, with only stone tools to implement their vision.

Tingley Beach

For another nice walk, make your way to Tingley Beach. About a mile and a half from Mauger Estate B&B, this park runs along the Rio Grande and has a completely different feel from the Petroglyph trails. The area is a haven for wildlife, and the geese and ducks were hovering over their new hatchlings during our visit.

Be sure to check out the Blue Tree Project – a stunning temporary installation raising awareness for tree conservation.

Let ‘Em Run!

Albuquerque has 13 off-leash dog parks and Rio Grande Park is a stone’s throw from Tingley Beach – right next to the zoo. It’s a comfortable place to relax, with shade, artificial grass and wood chip ground cover, lots of space to run … and, as you can see, Buster had the whole place to himself.

Fill ‘Er Up!

Finding pet friendly restaurants within walking distance of the B&B was no problem. The Flying Star Cafe at 8th and Silver was one of our favorites, and Marble Brewery was popular for a quick snack and thirst-quenching beverage. For more options, head up Central Avenue (formerly the historic Route 66) to the Nob Hill neighborhood. Park the car and take your pick from one of the many pet friendly patio seating areas.

Check the View

One of Albuquerque’s most popular tourist attractions, the Sandia Peak Tramway, isn’t pet friendly. Still, it’s worth a drive up to the base for the view of the city. What’s better is that you can grab a map and hit the trails in the Cibola National Forest – which is completely pet friendly!

Albuquerque surprised me. We spent two weeks sniffing around the city and the surrounding area – and there’s still a lot we haven’t seen. It’s definitely a pet friendly destination we’ll visit again!

Disclosure: We received a discounted rate at The Mauger Estate Bed and Breakfast in Albuquerque, NM. The opinions expressed here are my honest assessment of the hotel based on our experience. We were not paid for this post.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

Welcome to the weekly GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG photo challenge … where we post your pet travel pictures and you guess the dog friendly destinations.

LIFE+DOG is the premier lifestyle magazine for dog lovers – go on, give them a sniff!

Last Week’s Winner

Photo Copyright: Kelli Uldell

Thanks to everyone who played last week, and congratulations to Patty E. of Livingston, TX - she correctly guessed that Allyn and Ozzy were out for a walk in Carmel, California! We hope you enjoy your “Travels with Ty & Buster” calendar, Patty!

Let’s See Your Photos …

Many thanks to Kelli Uldell for sharing last week’s pet travel photo. If you want your pet to be a SUPER STAR, submit your photos and they could be featured on GoPetFriendly.com and in LIFE+DOG!

This Week’s Photo Challenge

Thinking you never win anything? We hear that from our winners all the time! This week it could be your turn … if you know where the photo below was taken, submit your answer in the entry form.

For the winner …

Each week we randomly select one winner from the correct entries to receive a “Travels with Ty & Buster” 18-month wall calendar.

And the photo is …

Samantha Brook of Samantha Brook Photography submitted this photo of her pup, Aspen, hangin’ with Thomas Jefferson. Aspen is a little confused by Thomas’ subdued reaction to her enthusiastic puppy-kiss face bath just before the photo was snapped!  Your hint: This colonial city was founded in 1632 and is home to the second-oldest institution of higher education in the nation.

Photo Copyright: Samantha Brooke Photography

Contest entry …

The Fine Print

This week’s contest closes on Wednesday, June 5th at 11:59 pm EST. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents over the age of 18, except were prohibited. All correct submissions will be assigned a number and the winner will be selected using www.randomizer.org. Winners will be notified by email and announced on our Facebook page and in next week’s Photo Challenge post. The decision of the judges is final. The winner of the prize is responsible for any and all applicable taxes on the prize. Employees and relatives of GoPetFriendly.com and LIFE+DOG are not eligible to win.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

It never fails … in fact, I’m beginning to think they do it on purpose. Ty and Buster seem to have a knack for finding the furthest point from the trash receptacle to do their business. That leaves me juggling two leashes and two bags of waste – not to mention the odd beverage, wallet, keys, or flashlight – all while attempting to dispense treats for good doggy behavior. Given my lack of grace, it’s downright dangerous and leaves me wishing for a third hand … or a fifth paw.

The package arrived one afternoon and I quickly set about installing it. The Fifth Paw is designed to be attached to a 1″ wide, flat leash, and since Buster’s is made from reclaimed climbing rope, Ty’s leash got the new accoutrement.

The Installation

Attaching it to the leash took just a few steps:

1. Unscrew the holding ring and separate the three parts.

2. Slip the white holding ring and the orange rotating ring on to the leash.

3. There are two slots in the main body – one for thinner and one for thicker leashes. Shimmy your leash into one of the slots.

4. Slip the orange rotating ring over the main body and then use the white holding ring to screw it all back together. That’s it!

 The Test Run

It’s always safer to let your spouse take any new device for the inaugural spin … just in case something goes bad. Sooooooo, I gave Rod a quick introduction to the Fifth Paw and then sent him out to walk the boys while I held my breath. He returned without incident – success!

The rotating orange ring has three clamps for waste bags – just tie a knot at the top of the bag, slip it into the clamp, and it will be held in place. Or you could use a clamp to carry your keys, extra bags, or a small flashlight.

The Fifth Paw was tested with a Great Dane, so it will hold even the heaviest waste bags securely and we’ve found it to be especially convenient on hikes, when carrying a full bag of poo for miles up the trail is your only other option.

Disclosure: I was compensated for writing and publishing this informational post about The Fifth Paw and received the product for free. For more information see our policies and disclosures.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities

It’s Memorial Day … which means Summer has unofficially arrived! As the busiest travel season of the year moves into high gear, we’re wondering if pet travel will continue to grow in popularity. Please take a couple of minutes to complete our survey to let us know what you have planned …

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities