I got to thinking about what I wanted to do this
summer. Last summer I went to Mexico for a week, and then later on in that
summer spent a week at Disney. Previous summers I've gone on cruises.
All of
these are wonderful vacations but they are not dog friendly. As you know, I have an aging Yellow Labrador
who is on medication and I really DO NOT want to be away from her for more than
a few days. That is why this year we
booked a fancy beach vacation at a pet friendly resort! But then had to cancel.
Even though the website clearly states that it IS pet friendly, the resort
itself is saying that it is not. I talked to them over the phone about this and
even though it was a non refundable package, they agreed to refund our money
because I pointed out that on their website it says PET FRIENDLY. But don't
think it was an easy process. They kept asking me why I just couldn't get a pet
sitter. Anyway, now I don't even want to
stay at their resort...lol. I'll find another one.
This will be the first summer that my dad is officially retired, so I hope to spend some time with him and my family. Whether or not we get to take Baylee with us, here are some other things I'd like to do this summer.
1. Go to a baseball game
2. Watch Fireworks : I love ALL the fireworks. I'm actually surprised we haven't heard any in our area yet this summer. This is something Baylee will definitely NOT be a part of. Poor girl would have a heart attack. She shakes and hides when she hears them. One year I found her hiding in the bathtub.
3. Go to the horse races
4. Go to the beach
5. Go boating
6. Do some day activities with friends
7. Remove wallpaper in my house. (I know this does not sound fun but I like redecorating part)
8. Swim with the dogs
9. Go golfing
10. Read some books! I can't believe I've only started one book so far. WHAT have I been doing??? Oh, that Triathlon thing!
What day activities do you like to do with your friends? -M
i'm looking forward to a few trips out of town that include boating and waterskiing! I'm hoping to get to at least one Cubs game. The weather has really sucked so far, and that's limiting us a bit.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a place that you can take Bailey to!
Sorry about your weather up there!
DeleteI too hope we can find a place that will accommodate Baylee!
Good luck with your triathlon this weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe have traveled with dogs quite a bit, but sometimes you have to read the websites carefully -- although if it says it's pet friendly, it definitely ought to be!
Some will say they're pet friendly but then dogs aren't allowed on furniture or the beds -- yeah, not so much pet friendly (not when you have little dogs that sleep in bed with you).
Try airbnb, too. We've had some good luck with that when we bring the dogs.
I'm definitely hoping to do some hiking this summer -- there will be a LOT of running -- and a couple of racecations. Because we haven't been on vacation in a really, really long time.
Your summer plans sound like fun!
DeleteJeez, I'm glad you insisted on a refund! I know Westin hotels really are pet friendly. We have friends who get Air BnB places that permit dogs. For activities with friends, playing tourist, visiting museums and spa days are all fun!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to play tourist with you. You'd be a great host!
DeleteI have so many things I want to do with my grandkids this summer. Paint ceramics (done), ride the trail to Philly, go on a "safari", splash in the stream. Love the freedom that comes with summer.
ReplyDeleteCeramics and Safari sound fun!
DeleteI have never been to a real horse race either. Finishing my books is high on my list too
ReplyDeleteSince I first wrote this post I've finished 3 books!
DeleteThat all sounds fun - except the wallpaper (which is no joke to remove!) There are so many great things to do in Chicago in the summer. I'd add go to some street fests to the list here.
ReplyDeleteI did actually get the wallpaper down and it wasn't as bad as I thought!
DeleteIf you love fireworks, you really need to come here for the Thunder over Louisville - the biggest firework display in the US... its always the week before the Marathon here in town :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for putting your fur baby first. It's why we havent gone anywhere on vacation for the longest - we always have an aging baby it seems & I dont trust their care to just anyone.
I would LOVE to come for Thunder over Louisville! I'd also like to come for the marathon sometime too!...Someday maybe!
DeleteOh my goodness that resort! I'm sorry they were turds, but I'm glad you got your money back! Your summer plans sound lovely! I especially love the baseball game one! :) We are planning on doing that soon as well!
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't understand what that resort was trying to pull with us.
DeleteThat is so frustrating about that resort! I'd be pretty mad too. I'm glad you were able to get your money back because seriously, that's just foul. :/ My lab is also afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms. I finally bit the bullet and asked for some anxiety meds for her because it's just gotten so much worse over the years. She's 12 now and the vet told me that it just gets worse with age. We've had some pretty decent thunderstorms the past few days and the meds have really helped! They weren't too expensive either. You should check with your vet. Maybe they can prescribe something that will help. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'd enjoy removing wall paper but I do enjoy painting walls (and have some to do too) so ... maybe? lol I'm definitely on board with the redecorating thing!
My lab is also 12 and she is on SO many meds as it is that i would hate for her to be on something else that is not mandatory for her health at this point. I'm glad the meds are working for your fur baby though.
DeleteI got the wallpaper removed and it was kind of fun!
Where do you usually hide Bailey for fireworks? We used to hide our dog in the bathroom that didn't have a window, with a radio turned on.
ReplyDeleteIs your Tri this weekend? Good luck!
I have a summer list of things I want to do, too. But I'm being lazy right now.
Well when the fireworks are close enough that we can hear them from our house, we usually go in the basement and turn the tv on pretty loud so she can't hear them. Which is kind of a bummer because there are a few fireworks displays that we can clearly see from our back deck. It was nice when she was younger and we use to sit outside and enjoy the fireworks from our own house. Now we have to hunker down inside and take cover....haha
DeleteWhen I was looking at hotels for my move up from Dallas, I spent a lot of time looking and making sure hotels were pet friendly. La Quinta is, and it was clean and quiet. There were a lot of dogs outside at breakfast doing their business. Allie did great too, and since she's a cat, I didn't have to take her outside.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have stayed at the La Quinta before with our labs when we went to the beach and they were FABULOUS! I would highly suggest to anyone with pets to stay there.
DeleteIf they lied about being dog friendly on their web site, you can only imagine what other amenities they lied about! Good thing you're not going there. Good luck with your first tri!
ReplyDeleteIt was a a pretty reputable brand of resort so I hope that they did not misrepresent themselves in other ways. I guess I'll never know!
DeleteThat resort sounds like they have communication issues...you probably saved yourself some other headaches by cancelling!
ReplyDeleteOur city ordinances allow fireworks until 2 AM for several days surrounding the 4th. We kinda hate it, although not as much as our poor pets do.
You are right, I do believe they have communication issues. And I base this not only on the pet friendly thing but other things leading up to this.
DeleteNo summer for me is complete without going to at least one baseball game and going to the beach at least once. Both of those activities just scream summer to me.
ReplyDeleteI've been off for 4 weeks now and have done nothing on my list. I am SO far behind!
DeleteWe are traveling to NC this summer, without Paco (we're flying). I feel bad boarding him, but it's at his vet, so at least I know he'll get whatever extra attention he might need. I'd love to go to a Durham Bulls game while we're out there; minor-league baseball is so fun! But we may be pressed for time. Your summer plans sound great!
ReplyDeletePaco is small enough that he could fit in your carry on, no?
DeleteBaseball games are at the top of my list too!
ReplyDeleteI hope i can make the time to go !
DeleteI love baseball, so I'm hoping we can get to a game as well. We don't have any major league teams nearby, but Des Moines (an hour away) has the Iowa Cubs...the minor league team foe the CHi Cubs ;-) The tickets are pretty cheap, and the stadium is nice!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun plans and ideas for your summer!
ReplyDeleteYuck to the resort that advertised one thing but then follows a different protocol! Thank heavens you figured it out before you arrived with tour lab!!!
I'm sooooooo glad you got your money back! They need to change their website. Did they seem to have any idea why they were advertised on there as pet friendly?
ReplyDeleteI once tried to get my money back for the Gettysburg Marathon. It was their first year and they said it was going to be a looped course. Well then later they changed it to an out and back. At the time, I had NO DESIRE to run an out and back marathon and I emailed asking for my money back since I NEVER would have signed up for it if I knew it was going to be an out and back... but they wouldn't do it. I didn't run the race. I'm stubborn like that!