Dinging with your Doggie

John and I have recently started contributing dog-centric articles to Savannah's largest and most comprehensive food, dining, and healthy living magazine: WellFED. Our most recent article highlights some of our favorite spots around Savannah for grabbing a meal when you have your dog in tow.

Dining Out With Your Dogs

With a plethora of hidden gems to choose from, it’s easy to turn mealtime into a

new Savannah adventure with your best friend.

It is no secret that Savannah is a dog-friendly city. From the multitude of dogs that regularly romp in the city parks and squares, to the water bowls lined up out front of downtown shops, Savannah’s love for its canine friends is clear. Perhaps nowhere more can Savannah’s enthusiasm for its dogs can be seen in the numerous dog-friendly restaurants that the city has to offer.

Classic downtown destinations such as Mellow Mushroom, J. Christophers, Wild Wing Café, Vinnie Van Go Go’s and The Olde Pink House are well known for catering to their canine clientele. Stroll by any one of these restaurants during mealtime and it’s a safe bet that you will see some dogs relaxing and enjoying a day out with their family. However, Savannah is also home to some off-the-beaten-path restaurant gems where both you and your best friend will be made to feel right at home. Whether you are searching for a great breakfast, meeting some friends for lunch, or are in need of a memorable evening on the town, The Hostess City offers something for any occasion. Here are some options you should consider adding to your dog-friendly dining repertoire.

Kicking Back with BBQ. If you are like my husband and you enjoy bonding with your dog over your shared love of meat, meat, and more meat, then an evening at Blowin’ Smoke BBQ (514 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Savannah) is right up your alley. In addition to featuring a large amount of covered outdoor seating, the tables are a nice distance apart, making it easy to keep your dog away from other diners. In addition, the staff has been known to serve complimentary beef bones to their four-legged customers. Live music makes Blowin’ Smoke a hot spot on the weekends (sets begin at 6:45pm), but be mindful that the noise may scare some dogs.

A Romantic Evening. Who says that a night of fine dining by soft candlelight means that you have to leave your dog at home? At Leoci’s Trattoria (606 Abercorn Street, Savannah), people and their canine friends can leave the city behind and escape to the quiet respite that is Leoci’s large, beautiful and shaded outdoor deck. The staff is comprised of dog lovers, as evidenced by the ice-cold water dishes that are brought to your dogs immediately after being seated. Not only does the serenity of Leoci’s deck create a calm environment where dogs can relax at your feet, but the large grassy area behind the restaurant is the perfect spot for potty breaks or game of fetch. After dinner, you and your pups can enjoy a walk around Forsyth Park, located just steps from the restaurant.

Casual Dining Near the Water. Delicious treats await both you and your pup at Tortuga's Island Grille (2815 River Drive, Thunderbolt), where the only thing better than the breezes off of the Intracoastal Waterway is the food. The owners and staff at Tortuga's are dog lovers, and the restaurant has multiple large dog bowls ready to hydrate your pup. Since mosquitos and gnats are often a problem by the water, the staff keeps plenty of a locally made, all natural bug repellant called “No Natz” on hand. Because it is all natural, it is safe to spray “No Natz” liberally on both you and your dog. Note that Tortuga’s has only limited outdoor seating available, so it is wise to call ahead to make sure there is a spot for you and your dog. After your meal, consider taking your dog for a stroll along the Thunderbolt waterfront or through Bonaventure Cemetery, just a short distance away.

Weeknight Meals. Ever since coming under new management, getting a table at Sol (1611 Habersham St) has been increasingly difficult. Any restaurant featuring more tables outdoors than inside makes it an ideal spot to bring your dog for a fantastic mid-week meal. Each table has an umbrella and there are plenty of fans to help keep everyone in your party cool. What’s more, there are plenty citronella torches to make sure that the bugs don’t bother you or your pup. The combination of great food and drinks, plenty of outdoor seating, and an extremely dog-friendly staff makes this an easy and enjoyable place to bring your dog.

Yappy Hour! For drinks and food with your dog after work, we suggest Tubby’s Tank House (2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt), located just down the street from Tortuga’s. Tubby’s enormous outdoor porch features a large bar, friendly service and plenty of seating, making it an ideal spot to unwind with your dog in tow. Watch a game on one of the outdoor televisions while your dog tries to nose his way into your stash of free popcorn. And to make sure you dog doesn’t miss out on all of the fun, bring along a Bowser Beer (non-alcoholic doggie beer) from The Grateful Hound to help ensure he lives up to his party-animal potential.

Staycation Dining. Need a break from the everyday? North Beach Grill (33 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island) is the perfect place for both you and your dog to get away from it all. Step on to the deck at this cool little spot located adjacent to Tybee’s North Beach parking lot and you can’t help but feel like you are on vacation. And though you are dining close to the beach, most of the outdoor tables have large umbrellas to keep you and your pooch cool. Finally, though dogs are famously not permitted on the on Tybee’s beaches, the Tybee Island Dog Park is located just down the street from the restaurant. It’s a great spot for some off-leash fun either before or after your meal.

Remember that this is just a small list of some of our favorite restaurants to bring our dogs. There are many other wonderful options that would love to welcome both you and your pooch. So the next time you go out to eat, don’t forget to bring your best friend along and enjoy!


You can see the original article here.

Rub-A-Dog

The summer is a fantastic time to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. From hiking, to beach time, to hanging in the park, there is nothing quite like seeing your pup romp around in the sunshine.

John and I just returned from a short vacation (with the dogs, of course), and one of the biggest highlights of the trip for both of us was watching our dogs play in the ocean every morning. Not only was it great to see them run into the waves chasing their favorite frisbee (the Zisc by West Paw), but it was equally joyous for us to see them collapse on the couch the minute we got home.

Barksdale is one sleepy guy after the beach

However, we quickly realized that along with having tired and happy dogs, we also had sandy and smelly dogs. Luckily for us, we brought some of our best dog-cleaning supplies with us.

Here are some of my must-haves for preventing a smelly-dog summer:

Oatmeal Goodness

Since my dogs have sensitive skin and are particularly itchy during the summer, we are always careful to get shampoos that are soothing and don't contain harsh chemicals. One of our favorites is Harry Barker's Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner. This line contains colloidal oatmeal, which is widely recognized for its anti-itch properties and its benefits to inflamed or scaly skin. It works beautifully on our dogs and makes them smell heavenly for at least a couple of days (or until they manage to get themselves back into the ocean, anyway!)

Another great option as an all-around shampoo is the Buddy Wash line from Cloudstar. I can't tell you how many times a day I overhear customers comment on how much they love the Buddy Wash line. Not only is it made with natural herbs and oils, but since these are two-in-one shampoo and conditioners, you can cut bath time in half. They also come in three fantastic scents: Green tea, Lavender, and Rosemary mint. A really great product!

Finally, the one product that my husband and I can't live without is the Buddy Splash Dog Spritzer, also from Cloudstar. Since my dogs would stage a protest if we tried to wash them every day, this is just the product to help you get from one bath time to the next. It keeps your dog's fur soft, conditioned, and smelling great. There is really nothing better to help get you through a potentially smelly summer.

Knowing that having clean-smelling dogs is only a quick bath or spritz away, makes it easy for me to watch as my dogs dig in the dirt, roll in the sand, and play in the ocean. And that, after all, is exactly what summertime is all about!

Happy 4th of July!

The Fourth of July is a great time not only to celebrate the Nation's independence, but also to cherish time spent with family and friends -- including your dogs, of course!

While many people enjoy the fireworks display every Fourth, the noise can often scare many kids, dogs, and even some adults (I may or may not be included in this grouping...). But if you have a pooch that cowers at the sound of fireworks, there are a few steps that you can take to make things easier for him:

• Don't modify your behavior. Although it may be difficult to do, try not to cuddle your pup or talk to him in soft voices when you see him acting fearful. Rather than easing a dog's fears, this type of behavior will reinforce the dog's state of mind. Although it sounds harsh, ignoring the behavior is the best way to help your dog through his fear.
• Try not to react to the fireworks yourself. Dogs can read body language surprisingly well, so if you jump or tense up when you hear fireworks (either because you yourself are afraid or because you are anticipating your dog's fear), you may make his fear worse. Keep calm and your dog will do the same.
• Drown out the sound of the fireworks. If possible, lessen your dog's fear by subduing the sound itself. Keep your windows closed or else make sure the TV or radio is on.
• Don't push your dog past his comfort zone. If you've tried all of the above and your dog is still running to hide under the bed, just let him. Never pull your dog out from a hiding place to try to force him to overcome his fears -- this can lead to increased fear and/or aggressive behavior. Wait it out and your dog will return to his old self in no time.

One other great tool that can be used for fireworks as well as year-round thunderstorms is the Thundershirt.

 

This shirt is an inexpensive, easy-to-implement, natural way to treat anxiety in dogs. Boasting an 85% success rate, Thundershirt guarantees to soothe anxiety symptoms, many of which come from loud noises. We just brought them into the store and are amazed at how many customers swear by their effectiveness. (You can purchase one on our online store, of course!)


Whatever your plans are for this holiday weekend, make sure that you are thinking about what your dog needs to be comfortable and happy. And if your dogs are anything like mine, this probably includes plenty of park-time, a couple of doggie beers, and perhaps a dropped hamburger or two!

Happy Fourth!!

Hot Doggies!

One of my most favorite things to see while walking around downtown Savannah on any given afternoon is this:

And this:

And even this:

(this is the longest tongue I've ever seen)

However, as adorable as these guys are, I know they're just very hot and just trying to find some relief from the Savannah sun. John and I understood that moving to Savannah last year meant we had to prepare ourselves for heat the likes of which we had never seen. And just as important as making sure we stay cool is making sure that ol' Freckle Tongue (AKA Barksdale) himself can find some relief.

Check out that freckle tongue!

Over the past year we have become quite adept at making sure that no pack member overheats. I share with you now the best methods for keeping pooches cool in the hot summer sun:

#1. Make sure they have plenty of water

We use the Planet Dog Portable Water Dish (available at the store, of course!) and we are very pleased with it. It folds up nicely to fit in your short's pocket and the material is sturdy and strong. Barksdale tested, Barksdale approved. You can buy one here!

#2. Make sure they stay inside most of the day

This should go without saying, but if it's too hot for you to be outside, then it's too hot for your dog to be outside. Potty breaks are necessary, of course, but please don't leave your pups outside for any extended period of time.

#3. Take them into the water whenever possible

One of the main advantages of living in Savannah is its proximity to Hilton Head which is a great spot to take your doggie for a dip to cool down. (Just remember that they aren't allowed on the beaches after 10 am or before 5 pm during the summer season). Not only is swimming a great way for your dog to stay cool, it's also one the more adorable things to watch. Need proof? I also recommend taking your dogs to the fountain at Orleans Square for a cool-down dip.

#4. Don't be afraid to spray them down

When John and I moved down here, one of our first purchases was a spray water bottle that we use to spritz  water all over Barksdale when we go for walks. He seems to like it (after he realizes that it isn't going to hurt him), and I can't pretend that I don't enjoy "missing" BD and hitting John instead once in a while. ;)

I've also recently discovered the Canine Cooler, although we have yet to bring them into the store. It seems like you basically fill a specially designed bed with cold water and let your pup lie on it whenever he gets hot. Seems like a good idea, but they aren't cheap. Has anyone tried this product before? Would you recommend it?

Just remember: whatever you do this summer, stay cool out there. After all, they aren't called the Dog Days of Summer for nothing!