How unfair would it be to skip town for a snowy vacation and leave Snoopy behind? Denver’s Hotel Teatro has you and your pooch covered. As the city’s first dog-friendly boutique hotel, they offer total service: The entire staff is on hand to take your doggy out on potty breaks or on a trip to Dog Savvy (a nearby dog boutique and spa, where your pup can even get a relaxing blueberry facial!) Plus, the hotel’s new Pets in the City package keeps four-legged guests comfy, cozy and entertained with food, water, chew toys and treats—there’s even a copy of Colorado Dog Magazine so you can keep up on regional dog happenings. And since the hotel is located in the city’s hip LoDo district, you and yours will have plenty of trendy sidewalks to peruse. This winter, when Denver calls, you can answer with a ‘woof.’

This holiday season you don’t have to leave any dog or dog lover off the list because there’s no shortage of inspired gifts from local artists, manufacturers and shops. Here are a few of our favorites for you to check out as you check off your list.

Clothing

For doggie clothing that has it all — style, attitude and an eco-friendly twist — visit the Climutt online boutique. All pieces, conceived and created by local designer Sydney Holcomb, are made from pieces of fabric that were formerly parts of human fashion statements. (**Mention Sidewalk Dog in the notes portion of your online order and save $5 through Dec. 31, 2008.)

Hip clothing from Climutt.

Gear

Now every dog — big dogs included — can look fashionable with collars and leashes from bark+biscuit. Everything is created by local designer, Alisha Zavadil, and is heavy duty enough for everyday wear.

Designer collars for big and small dogs from bark+biscuit.

And, no parent of a Sidewalk Dog should be without the Stunt Runner leash from Stunt Puppy created by local Ken Goldman. The versatile leash is perfect for running, walking or shopping with your dog, tethering them outside at a pit stop or when you need a short lead to get to and from the car to the dog park.

The versatile Stunt Runner leash for running, walking and shopping, from Stunt Puppy.

Art

Give the dog lover in your life a lasting memory of their dog by gifting a painted portrait from artist Jessie Marianello, founder of Stray Dog Arts, or Sarah Anderson of Lintu Art. All you need to commission a portrait is a photo for the artist to work from.

Print and photography from Lintu Art that capture’s your dog’s personality.

Commissioned art from Stray Dog Arts that capture’s your dog’s spirit.

For any pet lover who has lost a pet or whose pet is experiencing a serious health issue, Pet Reliquaries, by local designer Lisa Havelin, creates custom lockets and pendants to  help dog parents keep their loved one close to their heart at all times.

Pendants from Pet Reliquaries.

Also creating beautiful stone sculptures to celebrate and commemorate past and present pets in our lives is local artist Mark Clements of Follow The Muse. His sculptures can be personalized and are great for outdoor or indoor display.

Follow the Muse hand-sculpted stone to commemorate your pet.

Photo Sessions

And though no dog lover I know is void of photos of their dog, you may consider a professional photo session that can function as family art. Consider gifting a photo session with Patrick Nau or for family-oriented flair, Sara Beth Photography if it’s all about the dog, or Olive Juice Studios for their unique “dog-umentary” approach.

What dog lover wouldn’t love a professional photo featuring their dog, like this one from Olive Juice Studios?

Give Back and Save a Pet

More than 100 shelters and rescue groups around the Greater Twin Cities area are in need of food, toys, treats and monetary donations. Why not consider gifting a donation, in the name of a dog lover on your list, to his or her favorite animal welfare group? For a list of groups throughout the Minnesota visit Petfinder.com. You can also check out their Sponsor-A-Pet Program where you can also see a list of local shelters who have individual pets who need sponsors to provide food and care.

More Ideas

Leave no dog off your list! For more gifts and ideas be sure to visit local stores Bone Adventure, Lulu and Luigi and Corazon.

Among the many obligatory holiday errands is that trip to the liquor store to pick up a little something to make the celebrations (or, rather, those doing the celebrating) a bit merrier. Not so merry is the idea of leaving the pooch behind as you prepare, but several Twin Cities liquor stores have made shopping for spirits a six-legged endeavor by embracing dogs in their shops.

At Sam's Wine Shop, Nan Haislet, wife of owner Sam, and her dog Toumie both enjoy spending passing the time and greeting other visiting dogs.

Sam’s Wine Shop in Minneapolis welcomes customers of all breeds with water dishes and two kinds of treats “for the choosier puppies that visit us,” says owner Sam Haislet. And when Toumie, Haislet’s adopted terrier/beagle/aussie shepherd mix, isn’t spending time on the family farm, he graces the store as a mascot of sorts.

Just down Washington Avenue, Sorella Wine & Spirits also keeps a steady supply of dog cookies ready for four-legged guests. And, since many of the employees bring their own dogs to work, there’s usually plenty of good company to be had.

If you’re craving a big-dog fix with your pinot noir, South Lyndale Liquors is home to Abbey, a 7-year-old, 160-pound Saint Bernard, who was trained Colorado in avalanche rescue and is spending her retirement in Minnesota as a much-loved shop dog. The decades-old has always been dog-friendly, says owner Dan Campo.

Abbey leads the way to great wine deals at South Lyndale Liquors.

Saint Paul pups with good noses might like to visit Solo Vino in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood, where they’ll probably be more interested in the treats than the wide variety of hand-crafted wines. Owners should note that the store specializes in bottles from the Iberian Peninsula.

Or, dogs from east of the river can hang out at The Wine Thief for a custom experience. Owners—and husband-and-wife team—Paul and Trina have actually admitted to custom-grinding treats with a mortar and pestle to make them more palatable for smaller dogs that visit.

So whether you’re planning on popping a cork or mixing a cocktail, there are plenty of places to stock up on holiday libations with your furry friend in tow. A nice full-bodied cabernet for you, a belly rub and a treat for him.

The holidays are inevitably crazy. Sometimes you just can’t devote as much time to your dog as you’d like to during this hectic time. Or perhaps you’re traveling and he needs a warm bed and a reliable ball-thrower while you’re gone. No worries: Everyone will be taken care of, thanks to a few local pet care experts.

Pampered Pooch Playground may be relatively new in the industry, but with daycare, training classes, a grooming spa, overnight stay with webcams to monitor your pup’s mood, and a generally eco-friendly approach to business, they seem to have the idea down pat. Holiday reservations are almost full, so book soon—Sidewalk Dog customers get $10 off their first visit. And if you do keep your dog home during the holidays, cautions co-owner Keith Miller, keep them in a quiet room so they’re not frightened by all of the commotion.

It's no surprise dogs have so much fun at Pampered Pooch Playground where parents can watch the fun from several webcams placed throughout the daycare and boarding facility.

As a smaller facility, Paws in the Park prides itself on being able to give individual attention to each dog under its care in a calm environment. Pups can enjoy heated indoor play areas or an outside play area during the day, and overnight guests sleep in employees’

Guests enjoy pool party at Paws in the Park daycare, who offers one of the largest outdoor play spaces in town.

homes. And, during the holidays, the company’s homemade natural dog treats are buy one get one half-off.

Pets Are Inn has been boarding dogs overnight in pre-screened, private homes since 1982. “We interview each owner to determine the lifestyle needs, idiosyncrasies and habits of the pet and then match to an appropriate family,” says owner Ann Platt. “That family takes the pet into their home and treats it as a member of their family, following the client’s instructions regarding feeding, sleeping arrangements and furniture privileges.”

Abby enjoys the view from her host family's living room window at her Pets Are Inn home away from home.

PAW: A Pet Care Company offers a personalized in-home approach—employees can come to your house while you’re gone, or take your dogs into their homes to be treated like one of their own. “I joke about switching the name to ‘domestic goddess services,’” says owner Katie Westling. “We end up doing everything from cleaning house, babysitting, running errands … pretty much anything related to the home.”

Yes, Ginger is always this happy at her PAW host home.

Those who are out of town or just too busy during the holidays can rest easier knowing that their dogs are in good hands.

Fetch delivers pet products to homes in the Twin Cities.

Remember Pets.com, that short-lived online pet store that delivered to your door? The company went under in 2000, though not for lack of a great concept, as evidenced by FetchDelivers.com, a Twin Cities-based version that takes the grunt work out of keeping Spot stocked with food, treats and toys.

As owner of a pet store—and not a virtual one—Jay Cowan still found himself out of dog food from time to time. Intrigued by the Pets.com concept and loathe to leave the house for emergency dog food runs, Cowan sold his store and started Fetch Delivers as a local, affordable answer for pet owners like himself.

Concept aside, the Web site is especially valuable to Metro dog owners during the upcoming winter months. Picture this: February has dumped another blizzard upon us, it’s four degrees outside, and your pup only has three bowls of food left. Having said food show up on your doorstep certainly seems like the more civilized option, doesn’t it? Especially if said food shows up with a smiling face, no delivery charge and a special treat for Toto?

Tess Keen, director of sales and marketing for Fetch, Inc., points out an added convenience for winter-bound pet owners. “Fetch carries salt for both your water softeners and your driveways,” she says. “We have both regular ice melt and pet-safe ice melt. It was just another heavy and bothersome item to have to go pick up at your local store. Now you can let us do the salt and pet supply delivery for you.”

A man, a plan, a pet, a concept. Looks like FetchDelivers.com just made winter a lot easier for cold people and hungry pets.

Gear up for cold weather.

It’s that time of year, when we all wave farewell to one of the more pleasant autumns in memory and turn to confront another winter head-on. For some, this gradual movement toward the bottom of the thermometer is when Fido’s first and last walks of the day are no longer described as “invigorating,” but instead make the move into “numbing” or “as-short-as-possible” territory. Not so for those savvy readers who know about these dog-friendly places who have the gear they need to protect themselves and their puppy pals from the elements, however.

Jan Guenther, the owner of dog-friendly Gear West in Long Lake, stresses the importance of smart preparation: “Dressing for humans is all about layering, especially wicking materials,” she says. “If you’re doing something with your dog that makes you perspire, like running, your first layer needs to wick moisture away from your skin.”

Dog-friendly Midwest Mountaineering located in Dinkytown in Minneapolis.

At Midwest Mountaineering in Dinkytown, the cashiers hand out dog treats like candy as Jewels, the shop dog, surveys her terrain. Her—and the store’s—owner, Rod Johnson, advises wet-weather walkers to choose “a thinner, water resistant material” as an outer layer, and suggests “soft and warm merino wool” as a no-fail inner- or mid-layer for any type of cold weather. “Its longer thinner filaments are not scratchy, are machine washable and don’t retain odors,” he says.

Marathon Sports in south Minneapolis can help you keep your feet from freezing with Mizuno Breathe Thermo socks—which heat up—as well as YakTrax, which slip over your shoes or boots to give you better grip on ice and snow. General manager Corey Swan points out that the store welcomes dogs, with lots of room to roam and water bowls scattered about.

Shop Dog Tulear models packs at 45 Degrees in Stillwater.

45 Degrees in Stillwater, MN offers plenty of cold-weather gear for people and pups. Melissa, a manager and self-proclaimed “shop-dog wrangler” splits her time between taking care of Tulear, the shop’s Hungarian Vizsla and providing a font of information on booties, jackets, leashes, collars and packs that are available to aid cold-weather walks (the shop carries many options for keeping owners warm and happy as well.)

Now that you’re prepared, there’s no excuse for letting the weather keep you and your four-legged loved ones from enjoying winter’s underrated appeal.

Ever stared at beautiful vacation vista and thought ‘I wish Sparky was here to see this?’ Fall is a perfect time for travel, and Bone Adventure, with three stores in the Twin Cities area, has a rainbow of gear to help you indulge your Weimaraner’s wanderlust or your Terrier’s travel bug

Smaller airborne pups will feel comfy-cozy in the SturdiBag airline-approved travel carriers, which unfold like a tent and fit under your seat. Brian Fulmer, owner and creator of Bone Adventure, advises savvy travelers to buy their travel carriers as soon as they plan their trips, then leaving them open in the house so that worldly doggies can investigate and get comfortable with them prior to takeoff.

West Paw design’s Eco Nap beds are a fleecy way to protect your car seats and help Spot settle in for a long car ride. The super-tough beds are made from recycled soda bottles and come in a number of sizes and colors.

Doggies traveling by car or plane might need a bit of calming when adjusting to their new surroundings, so remind them of home with a familiar toy (we like the adorable and organic bears, sheep and bunnies from Simply Fido,) or soothe their nerves with lavender-and-chamomile-infused Mellow Mut treats from Dogswell.

Fulmer espouses the importance of having water on-hand while traveling, a task made easier with the

...and after

Tazlab before...

flexible rubber fold-up water bowls from Tazlab, which come in an array of bright colors. However, “Don’t worry if they don’t want to drink,” Fulmer says, “and don’t overfeed or overwater your dog before travel: If traveling early in day, do a half-portion of food the night before, then another half-portion once you’re at your destination.”

With a clear itinerary and a well-prepared pup, you’ll be glad you brought your best friend along for the ride.

What better way to weather the beautiful (though lesser-known) Dog Days of Autumn than to pack up the car and take a road trip to one of Minnesota’s myriad dog-friendly vacation spots? In nearly every part of the state, you’ll find lodging that would love to accommodate you and your dog.

The Outing Lodge interior is rustic and cozy.

Start in the South, with Red Wing’s Moondance Inn. The Inn’s 1904 Victorian rental house is a spacious, no-frills, private country getaway for you and your four-legged pals. Upriver, Stillwater boasts The Outing Lodge, where owner Carlota Estevez’s chocolate lab accompanies guest pooches on miles of wooded walking trails surrounding the lodge.

For rugged dogs who love to romp, Lake Superior is the place to let loose. The Inn on Lake Superior really rolls out the welcome mat with a check-in goody bag, which includes a tennis ball, a bandana, an “In case I get lost” dog tag, treats and a list of local pet services. Also in Duluth is Fitger’s Inn, where vacationing dogs find a dog bed, bowls for food and water atop a water-resistant mat and a welcome treat waiting for them.

The picturesque shores of Bluefin Bay.

Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery and Cottages in Lutsen is always looking for guest dogs to keep Jazmin the Shih Tzu company, and Bluefin Bay gives them space to roam right on the shores of the Great Lake.

For those heading out west, Mulberry Row in Detroit Lakes is home to Ebby, a chocolate lab/weimaraner mix who sometimes writes about her visiting friends on the B & B’s Web site. And for dogs who really want to see “Up North,” the Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais is always pet-friendly, particularly during special “pet-lovers” weekends.

Then again, for Twin Citians who want to save gas money but still get away, downtown Minneapolis offers two dog-friendly

W Hotel in the Foshay Tower has a complete menu of pet services.

hotels: The Chambers (for fancy-pants pets), and the brand-new W hotel, where dogs are supplied with their own concierge.

Now there’s no excuse not to scour the state with your canine playmate. Get packing!

Heel Dog Walking founder Lauren Witheridge and her dog Brandi demonstrate a new weight pack like her fitness clients will be using.

Former graphic designer Lauren Witheridge started Edina-based Heel Dog Walking last December with one goal in mind: to turn her “passion for pets into a business that contributes to the community.” This fall, she’ll be expanding that goal with the new Heel P.H.A.T. Camp program, which targets overweight dogs with a 3-pronged approach of nutrition, exercise and health.

“The problem,” Witheridge explains, “is that an extra 10 pounds for us might make us uncomfortable in a bathing suit, but for an average-sized dog it could put it 25-percent over its ideal weight (classified as obesity). An overweight dog can suffer from diabetes, heart or respiratory disease, joint problems and arthritis.”

The P.H.A.T. (Physical, Healthy, Active and Toned) program aims to get Fido back into shape with “more than just a walk,” as Witheridge says.

“It’s a 12-week program that involves three class meetings, having your P.H.A.T. Camp counselor come by three times a week to exercise your dog, and a nutrition journal. They [the counselors] use a progressive program that readjusts to keep challenging your dog as it gets more and more fit,” Witheridge says.

Witheridge's own dogs, Brandi (left) and Bailey (right), love the work she's doing to help dogs get fit.

Witheridge was inspired to improve pets’ qualities of life by her own canine companions: Bailey, a 4-year-old Wheaton Terrier/Poodle mix, and Brandi, a 2-year-old Rottweiler.

“All of this boils down to a much happier dog and owner and hopefully some new interest in getting out with their pets for some exercise, to go for a swim or to go to the dog park,” Witheridge says. “When our clients are happy and grateful, I am too. It’s very fulfilling that I can do work that means something to someone every day.”

If you’re interested in Heel Dog Walking or P.H.A.T. Camp, you can reach Lauren Witeridge at info@heeldogwalking.com.

As summer wanes, we here at Sidewalk Dog want to be sure you’ve made good use of the Twin Cities’ marvelous dog-friendly-dining culture. So, we’ve compiled an itinerary of our favorite spots for you and Spot to find refreshment.

The new Dog Bar at Lucia's serves up fresh water for cosmopolitan dogs.

In Southwest Minneapolis—always a hotspot for dogs and the people who love them—we adore Café Maude. Neighborhood diners have caught on to the bistro’s dog-friendly atmosphere, with a tin of biscuits and fresh water for the patio’s four-legged loungers. And at Café Twenty Eight, owner Linda Haug has picked out stainless steel water bowls so that her leashed guests can cool off in style. Uptown Minneapolis brings Café Barbette and Lucia’s Restaurant to the party. The former has always welcomed dogs on its sidewalk café, and the latter recently opened a ritzy dog bar (pictured left), where dining companions can quench their thirst in a tiled fountain.

Canines can make history alongside theater legends at the Cue patio at the Guthrie, one of the first to become dog-friendly since the new Minneapolis ordinance took effect.

For more metropolitan doggie diners, Downtown Minneapolis’ Cue at the Guthrie welcomes dogs on its scenic patio overlooking the monumental Stone Arch Bridge and just steps away from a quick romp in Gold Medal Park. And the Café Lurcat patio is a great place for you and your furry friends to cool off after an afternoon of intense stick-hunting in nearby Loring Park and its off-leash area.

Psycho Suzie’s Motor Lounge in Northeast Minneapolis keeps its canine visitors happy with water bowls and the occasional biscuit, while owners are enthralled by the casual, cool tiki vibe that pervades the deck and garden where they can grab a Northeast Minneapolis pizza pie in their dog’s fine company.

The patio at W.A. Frost is a relaxing wonderland for people and dogs alike!

Have no fear, dogs from the East Coast (by which we mean Saint Paul, of course.) You, too, can see the city (and hope for a runaway piece of your owner’s gourmet dinner) with two Saint Paul mainstays. The Happy Gnome is famous for its unparalleled beer selection, which can be enjoyed on a lush, dog-friendly patio in the posh Cathedral Hill district. And Twin Citians from both sides of the river are familiar with the W.A. Frost historic, shaded patio, which welcomes dogs with a water bowl and a cool place to linger while their owners enjoy a bountiful brunch buffet.

Get thee (and thy dog) to one of these tasty restaurants while the temperatures are still palatable. You’ll be glad you did when soup weather rolls around.

View interactive map of all of these restaurants.