The Gray Goose Inn

By Laura Goldman. Published March 3, 2011.

Not far from Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana, the Gray Goose Inn in Chesterton is a charming bed-and-breakfast that welcomes well-behaved pooches. It is located on 100 wooded acres surrounding a private lake, and has more than 3 miles of hiking trails, cross-country skiing in the winter and boating in the summer.

Your pooch will be greeted by owner Tim Wilk’s two Cocker Spaniels, Charlie Brown and Ellie. “We enjoy other guests’ dogs, and many times we hate to see them leave,” Wilk told i Love Dog-Friendly. “Charlie Brown and Ellie are also sad when they leave. Welcoming pets has been most rewarding.”

Both dogs and cats are welcome at the Gray Goose Inn. There is a $25 fee per pet, per night.

Fur-legged guests are treated to a snack pack upon check-in, along with some i Love Dogs goodies. Water and food bowls, as well as towels, are also provided for your pooch.

Not only does the Gray Goose Inn’s beautiful location provide plenty of space for you and your pup to get some exercise, there are many wet-nose welcoming places close by, including the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which allows dogs on the beaches, and two restaurants that allow dogs on their outdoor patios, weather permitting.

Indoors, the Gray Goose Inn offers lots of amenities in each room, including free Wi-Fi internet access and a DVD player. Suites feature a Jacuzzi and fireplace.

“Our guest response has been wonderful,” Wilk said. “Not one negative response so far.”

Among his more memorable pet parent guests were a woman traveling with her 9-month-old baby and 120-pound Rottweiler. “She handled everything with great finesse, and the discipline of the Rottweiler was unbelievable,” Wilk said. Another woman brought her parrot, who wore a red satin diaper. Wilk reports that the bird “never wandered off the lady’s shoulder or made any mess in the room.”

Wilk offers these tips for pet parents traveling with their dogs: “Plan your lodging well ahead where you will be traveling. If possible, travel with a crate; bed or bedding; water and food bowls; towels; medications; and be up to date on vaccinations and flea and tick control. Don’t forget the poop bags.”

Check out the Gray Goose Inn’s i Love Dog-Friendly listing!

Gray Goose Inn’s 4 (Paws)-1-1:

Address: 350 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton, Ind.

Phone: 219-926-5781 or 800-521-5127

Website: http://www.graygooseinn.com/

Pet Policy: Dogs and cats are welcome. There is a $25 fee per pet, per night. Pets must be current on their inoculations and on annual flea and tick control. Your dog should not be allowed on the furniture or left alone in your room for extended periods of time. You should be leash your dog when outside of your room. Pets are not permitted in the dining room due to local health department codes. For more information, check the Gray Goose Inn’s website.

Doggie Amenities: Snack packs and i Love Dogs goodies upon check-in. Food and water bowls along with towels are provided for your dog. The Gray Goose Inn is located on 100 acres surrounding a lake, with 3.5 miles of hiking trails.

Doggie Attractions: The dog-friendly beaches of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore are close by, as are two restaurants that allow pooches on their outdoor patios if the weather permits.

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.