Only those of us who travel alone with a small pet realize just how difficult this can be. Where do you go to the bathroom? Restaurants and grocery stores will not allow the pet to enter. Leaving a small pet tied to a pole outside may result in your pet being taken. Some states not only ticket, but will arrest you for leaving your pet in the car. Thus a real concern in taking your best friend traveling. Have you had positive or negative experiences? Our readers would appreciate your input and your stories.
November 9, 2011 “Mini Va-Ca”
Roxie watches me pack up and leave her behind so often that the time had come for her to pack up for her own “mini-vacation” with me. I booked an Internet Special hotel room on the sand in Laguna Beach, California. It’s only an hour from home, but one of the most picturesque spots along our gorgeous Southern California coastline. Packed with blankets for the beach, canvas and paints for me, and sweaters for us both as nights are chilly this time of year, we headed off early Wednesday morning on our “mini-va-ca.”
California beaches are dog friendly during off-seasons, so with leash-on we took a long walk on the beach and thru the bustling town filled with shops. Here they greet dogs with smiles. As a matter of fact you actually have to watch your step while window shopping or you’ll trip over the many doggie water bowls placed outside!
We grabbed a Footlong from Subway and headed just North of town in to the residential
area. There we found an incredibly beautiful park overlooking the cliffs. Below the waves smashing and the view reminiscent of that in Australia. Under the shade of a tree, I painted for hours as Roxie watched dogs stroll by with their leashed owners. It was wonderful.
Yes the hotel was a beachfront, just as it was advertised. We checked in at four. Getting to the room was a bit of a maze. Down steps, crossing parking lots and alley’s the up four flights (elevator too funky for me!)...to a room facing the alley. Why they called it a “village room” I’m not quite sure. It was small, painted puke green, had all the amenities listed online, but made me wonder why I’d want to spend overnight when I have a beautiful home less than an hour away. Oh well I thought, as we followed the maze back down and out to the beach. WOW!
Double WOW! Sunset on the deck of the hotel was unbelievable. But this time of year, sunset is 5PM. To be perfectly honest, it was way too romantic to be there alone. Oh yes, this is a story about taking your pet on a vacation, but the overwhelming feeling of sharing this with a four-legged love just wasn’t cutting it for me.
Back to the room by 6:00PM. It’s now chilly outside. What to do? I just had happy hour food, so I’m not hungry. Roxie, perking up every time someone walks by the hall, ready to bark....the sound of the baby crying in the next room....all I could think of is what am I doing here? I hadn’t even unpacked. So I loaded us up, left the room and drove back to our comfy house, our packed refrigerator and wide screen TV! We were home by 7PM.
I’d go back to Laguna Beach with my best friend in a heartbeat, but only for a DAY TRIP !
