- 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害羞草研究所檇 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害羞草研究所攂ig time.
Part therapy dog, part live-in companion, Baylee never fails to put a smile on my face.
害羞草研究所淲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,害羞草研究所� says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of communications for the BC SPCA. 害羞草研究所淲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.害羞草研究所�
Sure enough, dogs seem to be everywhere these days害羞草研究所攊n condo buildings, on city streets, in parks and even in local stores. 害羞草研究所淪hopping in stores with pet dogs is definitely a trend on the rise,害羞草研究所� says Erin Ballinger from BringFido.com, a website that helps dog owners find hotels, restaurants and other places that will welcome their pets.
It害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檝e noticed they are more likely to congregate in the pet aisle than the tire department.
害羞草研究所淲e love having a dog-friendly store,害羞草研究所� reads a placard at the front of the store, adding a single, reasonable plea: 害羞草研究所淧lease help us by cleaning up after your dog.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 have size limits and you can bring more than two dogs. We just ask that you call us and let us know,害羞草研究所� Mandy says, adding that they even housed a tiger once at their Burnaby location. 害羞草研究所淗e was working at a local movie studio.害羞草研究所�
The Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria was also an early adopter of a pet program.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 part of who we are,害羞草研究所� 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. 害羞草研究所淲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.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淰ictoria is just so walkable,害羞草研究所� says Tracey Drake, director of public relations. 害羞草研究所淲hen you walk your dog through Victoria害羞草研究所檚 different neighbourhoods or along Dallas Road, you meet locals you wouldn害羞草研究所檛 normally meet and discover things you wouldn害羞草研究所檛 normally discover.害羞草研究所�
Here are a few tips for navigating dog-friendly Victoria害羞草研究所攁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 害羞草研究所渄ogs welcome害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淜eep your dog close to you at all times and give fellow shoppers a wide berth,害羞草研究所� stresses Erin Ballinger. 害羞草研究所淢ove out of their way, not vice versa.害羞草研究所�
Watch also for signs at parks and beaches. Some close entry to dogs at certain times of the year.
Be prepared
If you害羞草研究所檝e ever taken a dog into a store, you know there are tempting items right at their eye level. That害羞草研究所檚 why it害羞草研究所檚 so important to understand your dog害羞草研究所檚 limitations, says Erin.
害羞草研究所淚f he is unaccustomed to being around strangers or can害羞草研究所檛 walk on a leash and follow commands while distracted, he is not ready for places like boutiques or department stores,害羞草研究所� she stresses. 害羞草研究所淪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.害羞草研究所�
It also helps to exercise your pup before you enter stores, to take the edge off your dog害羞草研究所檚 friskiness, she adds. 害羞草研究所淎nd don害羞草研究所檛 forget to bring poop cleanup bags. If your dog has an accident, be the one to clean it up.害羞草研究所�
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. 害羞草研究所淏ring a friend, or arrange in advance for a dog walker.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檚 a good idea to call in advance and not just book online, so there are no surprises. Take your time if you害羞草研究所檙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.
害羞草研究所淚t allowed me to explore some great new areas, and it was much healthier for me to get out and take breaks,害羞草研究所� she says.
Ask your hotel for suggestions of great walks or dog parks.
害羞草研究所淲e recommend the Dallas Road dog park to our guests,害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 Lorie Chortyk offers these tips:
Pets crave routine. Transition to a routine that most closely resembles what the 害羞草研究所渘ew normal害羞草研究所� will look like. 害羞草研究所淪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,害羞草研究所� she says.
Start by leaving the house for short periods of time害羞草研究所攅ven if it害羞草研究所檚 just for a few minutes. 害羞草研究所淭his helps your pet realize that even when you leave, you always return, which reduces their anxiety,害羞草研究所� 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. 害羞草研究所淐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.害羞草研究所�
Finally, be patient: 害羞草研究所淭ransitions take time, but your pet will adjust to the 害羞草研究所榥ew normal害羞草研究所� with your help.害羞草研究所�
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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