By Meredeth Barzen

It’s that time of the year when Twin Citians start getting the itch to get the heck out of Dodge. The dog moms at Sidewalk Dog are no exception, and since we can’t all escape to some tropical paradise, we’ve been thinking about taking a weekend up north—warmth provided not by proximity to the equator, but by the company of our four-legged best friends. And so, we provide to you some ideas for dog-friendly lodging when you decide to load the Weimaraner into the station wagon and soak in some new, snowy scenery. And, since we’re having a hard time relinquishing the whole “tropical vacation” idea, a recipe that will transport you in spirit to a warmer clime. And remember to pack the blender.

A Gunflint guest and her four-legged friend enjoy one of the lodge's special dog-lovers' weekends.

Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais:

The folks at Gunflint Lodge sure aren’t shy about broadcasting their doggie devotion: Five special dog lovers’ weekends throughout the year take care of that. The next one, March 18-21, will include will include dog massages, a dog photographer, a dog Olympics, dog socials, a skijoring demonstration and anything else your canine’s heart could desire. And even if you don’t stay over an officially dog-themed weekend, dogs are always welcomed with water bowls, treats and an extra throw sheet in each cabin before you arrive. Says owner Bruce Kerfoot, Gunflint’s doggie guests are “sometimes easier to host than people.”

Bluefin Bay

Bluefin Bay, Tofte:

Not only does Bluefin Bay have dog-friendly rooms, but some of them even include Jacuzzis and/or fireplaces. You and your pup will be welcomed enthusiastically at this shore-side getaway with treats at the front desk and affection for all four-legged guests. Bluefin has been pet-friendly since it began 25 years ago, and its new sister resort, Surfside on Lake Superior, has kept up the tradition with pet-friendly units of its own. Plus, there are plenty of places for Fido to roam on the North Shore, like Tofte Park (conveniently located right next to Bluefin), where dogs can actually take a dip in the lake—in the summer, that is. Check out Sidewalk Dog next month for more on Bluefin.

A Superior Shores lakehome

Superior Shores, Two Harbors: Stop by for a treat at the front desk on your way back to your rented condo at this lakeside retreat. Though many guests don’t realize dogs are allowed in certain rentals, owner Darrin Young often brings his border collie and golden retriever to work with him. Says Sidewalk Dog reader Jenn Reed Moses, “Superior Shores is awesome. My dog, who is scared of strangers, actually started putting her paws on the front desk to ask for treats—I was mortified, but the staff loved her and were great about it.”

One of Caribou Highlands' condo units.

Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen:

This Lutsen getaway offers a number of dog-friendly rooms, and in the unlikely event that you get bored, can suggest lots of fun activities for you and your pups, like hiking up to the Poplar River, exploring the nearby state parks or skijoring. Caribou’s Martin Pettersson recommends “being proactive and making your reservations early, since the pet-friendly units are very popular and tend to fill up very fast.”

Stanley the Bernese at a Sea Villa townhouse.

Sea Villa Townhomes at Lutsen Resort, Lutsen:

These one- or two-story townhomes near Lake Superior’s shore tempt people with wood-burning stoves and a beautiful pool/whirlpool/sauna complex. Doggies are drawn to the walking trails and abundance of squirrels. This dog-friendliness was a crucial factor when Carol Taylor, who owns one of the Sea Villas, was shopping around. “Basically, if I couldn’t bring my dog [Stanley, a Bernese Mountain Dog], I wouldn’t want to own,” she says, adding, “Judging from the notes in my guest book, I can tell that being able to bring dogs to the villas is greatly appreciated.”

Sweetgrass Cove

Sweetgrass Cove Guesthouse & Bodywork Studio, Grand Portage:

Secluded on a lovely Lake Superior bay, this guesthouse welcomes well-behaved and “well-groomed” dogs—so it wouldn’t hurt to give Günther the Great Dane a bath before showing up. Though owner Rick Anderson’s beloved Irish terrier Lucy passed away recently, “Now more than ever,” he says, “I welcome my guests with dogs to remind me just how beautiful that relationship can be.” Great hiking trails and the very dog-friendly nearby town of Grand Marais make for a fun doggie visit, and ready access to a massage table makes your stay extra-relaxing.

Now where did you pack that blender?

Piña Coladas, SidewalkDog.com Style:

½ c. white rum

½ c. coconut cream

2 c. pineapple juice

4 c. ice

Blend until smooth, pour yourself a glass, and throw your dog a bone. Why should people get all the treats?

By Meredeth Barzen

Lisa Sellman of Aloha Pet Care with Sadie the Wonderdoodle.

When Lisa Sellman of Aloha Pet Care & Dog Training invited us to participate in her TTouch and Animal Communication class last month, we were excited about the TTouch part (any method of lowering stress in the Wonderdoodle household would be accepted wholeheartedly) and excited/nervous for the Animal Communication part (what if Sadie started whining that we don’t give her enough treats or throw the ball often enough?) But by the end of the night, we were both comfortable with the TTouch techniques, and confident that our dog really did love us.

Sidewalk Dog, Sadie the Wonderdoodle, and about 15 other dogs and their people gathered at Auntie Ruth’s Animal Care & Wellness Center in Minnetonka for the class, which started with Lisa guiding us through a handful of “touches”—or light, acupressure-like massage techniques—that we could use to lower stress in both our dogs and ourselves and to bond with our four-legged pals.

“These techniques are for whenever your dog is stressed—the vet’s office, the groomer’s, fireworks, thunderstorms,” Lisa explained, while rattling off a list of Sadie’s worst nightmare situations. “They’re a way to be in the moment, and to give our dogs the gift of being present.”

Then, we practiced those techniques on our own pups and our neighbors’ dogs as Lisa came around the circle and worked with each one of us individually. Sadie the Wonderdoodle, you’ll be curious to know, carries tension in her shoulders, just like her mom. Car rides are her Achilles heel—she got sick on the drive out to Minnetonka—so Lisa showed us some calming muzzle touches for the future.

Susan works on her TTouch skills with her dog, Jeri.

While we were working on our TTouch skills, Animal Communicator Ilga Cimbulis held short, individual sessions in a corner of the room. With all the misconceptions that abound about animal communication, we were interested to see what a session entailed. Ilga, with a  calm, easy manner, concentrated on Sadie (who was busy trying to snag a cookie from the refreshments table behind us) for a few seconds, then announced, “She’s telling me she’s your star, that she’s known or recognized.” Sounds like a certain Wonderdoodle has been reading too much SidewalkDog.com.

Ilga went on to discuss Sadie’s willingness to be out in the world, to help people. She said she had a healing nature about her and that she could be a therapy dog if we wanted to pursue it. But most importantly, she said we had done a good job; that Sadie was well-mannered and happy. Of course we know that Sadie loves us when she climbs up on our knees and kisses our ears, but the effect of someone actually telling you that your dog likes you cannot be underestimated.

*   *   *   *   *

If you’d like to hear what your dog thinks of you (and to learn some massage techniques that might swing her affection more in your favor), Lisa and Ilga have another class coming up February 21—you can find details here.

Or, if you’re looking for more rustic relaxation for you and your pooch, Lisa also holds TTouch classes at the always-dog-friendly Gunflint Lodge’s Dog Lovers’ Weekends. The next one is March 18-21—find more details here.  And, as a special treat for Sidewalk Dog readers, Lisa has seven $100-off coupons for Gunflint Lodge (one per cabin) to give away to the first seven readers to e-mail her at Lisa@alohapetcare.us with their addresses.

By Meredeth Barzen

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!

LEASHES

Stunt Puppy™. If you don’t think canine gear can be both functional and fashionable, then you haven’t seen Stunt Puppy’s collars, leashes, and accessories. Stunt Puppy website (use coupon code DISH for free shipping through December 31st), Urbanimal, BoneAdventure, Corazon, and Marathon Sports.

Dugen Clip. This is the leash that lets you go anywhere. Take your dog out on the town on all your errands knowing that you can secure them safely to anything from a tree to a street pole if they can’t come inside with you. Easily adjust the size. Where to buy: Dugen Clip website and 45 Degrees, Urbanimal, KBO Doggie Duds.

Bark-n-Biscuit has the best designer collars and leashes for dogs of all sizes. FREE SHIPPING AVAILABLE. Matching sets or mix-n-match in great colors. Retail for $28 and up. Where to buy: Bark-n-Biscuit website.

TREATS

Hound Street™
Looking for a unique gift for a hard-to-shop-for hound? Quit sniffing around and enroll the fastidious Fido in the Hound Street Treat-of-the-Month Club. Aptly named by size, The Jack Russell (for petite pooches), The Boxer (for medium mutts), and The Labrador (for biggish beasts) packages were created to put an end to what owner Lynn Johnson calls “treat boredom” by delighting furry members with a different treat package each month for an entire year. Where to buy: Hound Street website (15% off when you spend $20 or more through December 18th), Pet Chef Express, Andover Animal Hospital, and Armstrong Ranch Kennels.

Sojos has not only the high quality treats that are corn and wheat free, but also the loveliest packaging that requires little to no wrapping. The Kung Fu Fido brand is a box of fortune cookie treats for dogs with a real fortune in each one. And, Good Dog Treats in the cutest little boxes with handles. (Indie loves Blueberry Cobbler and Chicken Pot Pie the best.) Where to buy: Linden Hills Coop, Fetch Delivers, BoneAdventure, Whole Foods, Chuck and Don’s in Calhoun Village.

FASHION

WAHSSIE™. Fortunately for furry fashionistas everywhere there is new canine courtier in town: Winnie Tan Musser, owner of WAHSSIE™ Knine Fashion. Named after a pet name for her toy poodle Wah Wah (Chinese for “doll’), WAHSSIE offers everything from basic tees and spaghetti-strapped tanks to fleece hoodies and puffy vests. The versatile designer’s most unique collection, however, is composed of traditional Asian-style clothing including silk coats, Japanese kimonos and Chinese Cheongsam and Qi Pao dresses.  Where to buy: WAHSSIE website and 4 Paws Boutique.

Also, don’t miss Lulu and Luigi in St. Louis Park where their to die for dog sweaters are made of luxurious cashmere, tween and Italian
wool.

MONOGRAMMING/PERSONALIZATION

PillowGram™. PillowGram™ is the brainchild of Nancy Sundeen, dog mom to three Bernese Mountain Dogs who has a soft spot in her heart for pets. PillowGram allows you to personal a travel-sized pillow with custom embroidery. You can also chose from hundreds of themed fabrics. Great for a pet who is recovering from surgery, away at a pet sitters or just plain likes to put her head on a pillow.
Where to buy: PillowGram website.

Also check out Momento Inc. in St. Paul for artist Robin Getsug Taple’s gorgeous handmade pillows that can be personalized with photos of you and our pet, and InBeaute Photography in St. Paul where Wendy Blomseth has created a new line of photo totes and purses that can give you a lovely and practical way to “carry” your pet with you wherever you go.

CREATURE CARE

Stacy Lewis/Dancing Porcupine™. Is your best friend (or someone else’s) feeling particularly out of balance these days? Has it been a “ruff” year? Consider the gift of Stacy Lewis, “creature teacher,” author of the heartwarming book JAVA: The True Story of a Shelter Dog who Rescued a Woman and gifted practitioner of Tellington TTouch™, Shamanic Healing, and Animal Communication.  Where to buy/book: Dancing Porcupine website.

Also check out Janet Roper, just back from the American Music Awards, Janet is also an animal communicator as well as a violinist who can sooth your pet with 30 minutes or more of her heartwarming music.

For Dog Lovers

For dog lovers, there are so many great gift ideas that can make any pet parent’s life easier. Some of those interests include: gardening, shopping, vacationing, crafts, reading, shopping, dining out, sports and outdoor activities, renting movies.

Here are a few ideas:

House Cleaning. Give your friends a family a break from the fur and get them a gift certificate for house cleaning. Check out Nook and Cranny who specialize in pet homes and can care for your pet.

Yard Clean Up – Pet Yard Pick-Up, Scoopy Poo, ScoopWorks

Outdoor Gear - Socks, face warmers, hand warmers and anything to keep dog lovers warm during the extra time spent walking outside with their dogs. Check out 45 Degrees and Jake’s on St. Croix Life is Good Store, both in Stillwater (and both carry dog items, too).

Dog-Friendly Stores – Gift certificates where dog lovers can shop with their dogs. Corazon, Java J’s, Settergren’s Hardware, Bayers Do It Best Hardware, Rick Rack, Twiggs and Wonderment.
Photo Albums and Frames

Dog-friendly lodging: Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais, Kah-Nee-Tah gallery and cottages in Lustsen and The Outing Lodge at Pine Point just outside of Stillwater and Turtle Creek Ranch in Prairie Farm, WI just one hour East of Stillwater.

Do you have a Minnesota-made holiday gift suggestion?  Post it here.