- Words by Jane Zatylny Photographs by Don Denton
I was one of many British Columbians who adopted a rescue dog during the few first months of the pandemic. I香蕉视频直播檇 lost my 12-year-old Labrador in January 2020 and was longing for the companionship and comfort of a dog. My new Siberian husky, Baylee, delivers香蕉视频直播攂ig time.
Part therapy dog, part live-in companion, Baylee never fails to put a smile on my face.
香蕉视频直播淲e know that animals have such a positive impact on our mental and physical wellness, and I think this was needed more than ever during COVID-19,香蕉视频直播� says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of communications for the BC SPCA. 香蕉视频直播淲hile our adoptions have remained fairly static because of COVID-19, there has been a greatly increased demand, sometimes up to 200 applications for one animal.香蕉视频直播�
Sure enough, dogs seem to be everywhere these days香蕉视频直播攊n condo buildings, on city streets, in parks and even in local stores. 香蕉视频直播淪hopping in stores with pet dogs is definitely a trend on the rise,香蕉视频直播� says Erin Ballinger from BringFido.com, a website that helps dog owners find hotels, restaurants and other places that will welcome their pets.
It香蕉视频直播檚 a trend I definitely appreciate: I can combine a dog walk with a visit to Pharmasave, Vessel Liquor Store or Home Hardware. Even Canadian Tire welcomes dogs, though I香蕉视频直播檝e noticed they are more likely to congregate in the pet aisle than the tire department.
香蕉视频直播淲e love having a dog-friendly store,香蕉视频直播� reads a placard at the front of the store, adding a single, reasonable plea: 香蕉视频直播淧lease help us by cleaning up after your dog.香蕉视频直播�
Patios are another great option with a well-behaved dog. At Fernwood Inn and Stage, Baylee curls up under my table and patiently waits for a tasty morsel to drop.
Many hotels have long rolled out the red carpet for their four-legged guests, giving owners peace of mind while they travel. Accent Inns, for example, has had a pet program for more than 30 years, says Mandy Farmer, president and CEO of Accent Inns and Zed Hotels. These hotels try to be as flexible as possible with their pet policy.
香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 have size limits and you can bring more than two dogs. We just ask that you call us and let us know,香蕉视频直播� Mandy says, adding that they even housed a tiger once at their Burnaby location. 香蕉视频直播淗e was working at a local movie studio.香蕉视频直播�
The Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria was also an early adopter of a pet program.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 part of who we are,香蕉视频直播� says Brooke Harris, director of sales and marketing. During the recent heat wave, many guest rooms were occupied by locals and their pets, she says. 香蕉视频直播淲e had tons of animals checking in. Most of us are pet owners and we really enjoy seeing dogs of all sizes in our hallways.香蕉视频直播�
Over at the Fairmont Empress, Winston, a five-year-old former guide dog trainee, has found his calling as canine concierge. There, in the lobby of the storied hotel, the Labrador/Golden Retriever cross welcomes pets and their owners and even is available for city walks. He also has his own Instagram account, where he offers advice about dog walks and more. The Empress has also had a pet program in place for well over 10 years.
香蕉视频直播淰ictoria is just so walkable,香蕉视频直播� says Tracey Drake, director of public relations. 香蕉视频直播淲hen you walk your dog through Victoria香蕉视频直播檚 different neighbourhoods or along Dallas Road, you meet locals you wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 normally meet and discover things you wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 normally discover.香蕉视频直播�
Here are a few tips for navigating dog-friendly Victoria香蕉视频直播攁s well as some suggestions about how to prepare your dog for the inevitable: your post-pandemic return to the office.
Mind your petiquette
Keep in mind that not all public or private spaces are dog friendly. Even if one local retailer is pet friendly, it does not necessarily mean that other locations of the same chain will be okay with dogs roaming their aisles.
At storefronts, check for 香蕉视频直播渄ogs welcome香蕉视频直播� signs, or poke your head inside and ask for permission before entering. Once inside, be acutely aware of other customers: some may actually be afraid of dogs. Be considerate and alert to their body language.
香蕉视频直播淜eep your dog close to you at all times and give fellow shoppers a wide berth,香蕉视频直播� stresses Erin Ballinger. 香蕉视频直播淢ove out of their way, not vice versa.香蕉视频直播�
Watch also for signs at parks and beaches. Some close entry to dogs at certain times of the year.
Be prepared
If you香蕉视频直播檝e ever taken a dog into a store, you know there are tempting items right at their eye level. That香蕉视频直播檚 why it香蕉视频直播檚 so important to understand your dog香蕉视频直播檚 limitations, says Erin.
香蕉视频直播淚f he is unaccustomed to being around strangers or can香蕉视频直播檛 walk on a leash and follow commands while distracted, he is not ready for places like boutiques or department stores,香蕉视频直播� she stresses. 香蕉视频直播淪tart off at a chain pet store like PetSmart or Petco. Go at a low-traffic time. Work your way up to Home Depot, then aim for more challenging stores.香蕉视频直播�
It also helps to exercise your pup before you enter stores, to take the edge off your dog香蕉视频直播檚 friskiness, she adds. 香蕉视频直播淎nd don香蕉视频直播檛 forget to bring poop cleanup bags. If your dog has an accident, be the one to clean it up.香蕉视频直播�
When planning to travel with a dog, have a plan for what your dog will do during the day if you are working, says Brooke Harris. 香蕉视频直播淏ring a friend, or arrange in advance for a dog walker.香蕉视频直播�
Plan your visit well in advance
Be sure to always check pet policies before booking your hotel. Rules can vary: some only accept small dogs; others have rules in place about how many dogs you can bring and how long you can leave your dog in your room unattended.
It香蕉视频直播檚 a good idea to call in advance and not just book online, so there are no surprises. Take your time if you香蕉视频直播檙e travelling by car, and plan plenty of breaks for dog walks. While building the Hotel Zed in Tofino, Mandy Farmer travelled to the west coast often with her dog, and scoped out places to stop for a hike en route from Victoria.
香蕉视频直播淚t allowed me to explore some great new areas, and it was much healthier for me to get out and take breaks,香蕉视频直播� she says.
Ask your hotel for suggestions of great walks or dog parks.
香蕉视频直播淲e recommend the Dallas Road dog park to our guests,香蕉视频直播� says Tracey Drake.
Beaches along Dallas Road are also great fun for pups and their owners. Most hotels can also supply names of pet sitters and walkers, if necessary, and offer pet packages that include dog bowls, poop bags, treats and often dog beds.
Avoid separation anxiety
Many of us will return to the office one day in the not-so-distant future. Start to prepare for the transition now, before that day comes. The BC SPCA香蕉视频直播檚 Lorie Chortyk offers these tips:
Pets crave routine. Transition to a routine that most closely resembles what the 香蕉视频直播渘ew normal香蕉视频直播� will look like. 香蕉视频直播淪et up a schedule for walks, feeding, playing and other activities that will be happening when you return to work, so your pet has a chance to adjust,香蕉视频直播� she says.
Start by leaving the house for short periods of time香蕉视频直播攅ven if it香蕉视频直播檚 just for a few minutes. 香蕉视频直播淭his helps your pet realize that even when you leave, you always return, which reduces their anxiety,香蕉视频直播� says Lorie.
Make sure you have lots of interactive toys, like Kongs, snuffle mats and other items on hand to keep your pet occupied when you are gone. 香蕉视频直播淐reate a space for them with a comfy bed and all their favourite toys so they have a calming, safe space while you are out.香蕉视频直播�
Finally, be patient: 香蕉视频直播淭ransitions take time, but your pet will adjust to the 香蕉视频直播榥ew normal香蕉视频直播� with your help.香蕉视频直播�
Resources:
BC SPCA AnimalKind program
This program accredits dog trainers who are committed to positive, humane training methods. If you need help with your pet, you can find an accredited trainer at animalkind.ca.
BringFido.com
This handy website is searchable by location, and provides information about dog-friendly restaurants, attractions,
accommodations and retail stores: bringfido.com
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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