Portland takes a lot of pride in its microbreweries, and features a few dog friendly bars where you and your pooch can kick up your heels and share a “cold one.”

1. The Snug – 223 Congress St., Suite 1 (map), 207-772-6839

Be aware that this local Irish bar features a fiery bartender named Michelle who everyone either loves or loves to hate. Yelp reviewer Lindsey L. writes, “Don’t be surprised if you see a dog wandering around or sleeping on one of the stools – the bar mascot, obviously.” Check out the sleepy pooch here. So if your Irish Setter is feeling a bit homesick, you might want to sniff out the Snug!

2. The Thirsty Pig – 37 Exchange St. (map), 207-773-2469

Although this pub gets its name from the gourmet sausages it serves, there is also a revolving list of local craft beers to wet your whistle. So if you’re searching for some tasty brats and brews, this place is for you. “Dog friendly deck, veggie hotdog options and beer in the heart of the Old Port,” writes Yelp reviewer Beth R. “What’s not to like?” Be sure to say “Hi” to Fitzy, the pub’s official deck dog!

3. Novare Res – 4 Canal Plaza, Suite 1 (map), 207-761-2437

Novare Res means “to start a revolution” in Latin, and this bar has done that by winning several awards, such as Best Bar in the Phoenix Best of Portland 2011 and being selected as one of USA TODAY’s top 10 beer gardens in 2011. Novare Res features more than 30 revolving taps and kegs, and more than 300 types of bottled beer. Yelp reviewer John A. writes, “Yes, everything about this place was rad, but the best thing about Novare Res is their dog friendly patio. I sat and drank good beer with good people and watched dogs play. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in Portland.”

Cheers!

PHOTO: istolethetv

While more and more hotels and restaurants across the country are welcoming pets, transportation by train remains off limits to our four-legged friends. But the Pets on Trains Act of 2013 (H.R. 2066), introduced Tuesday, hopes to change that.

The law would require Amtrak, the national rail operator, to start a pet-friendly policy on certain trains. (Only specially trained service animals are currently allowed to ride the rails.)

At least one car of each passenger train would be required to be dog and cat friendly. The pets must be in kennels, and the trip must be less than 750 miles. Larger dogs would be able to travel as cargo in a temperature-controlled area. An extra fee would be charged for bringing pets on board.

“My dog, Lily, is a part of our family and travels with us to and from California all the time,” stated Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), who co-sponsored the bill, in a press release. “If I can take her on a plane, why can’t I travel with her on Amtrak, too?”

The Pets on Trains Act is endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“Millions of American families have beloved pets, and allowing them to travel by train will support the human-animal bond,” Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO, said in a press release. “We are grateful to Congressmen Denham and Cohen for introducing this common-sense legislation to help pet owners.”

To locate your U.S. Congress representative to ask him or her to support the Pets on Trains Act, click here.

PHOTO: David Shankbone

On the Road Again

Road trips are the quintessential summer thing to do. The call of the road, the lure of adventure and exploring places unknown are part of the excitement that continues to make car travel one of the most popular summer activities.

If you are bringing along your dog, there are a few extra things you will need to keep him happy and your road trip epic.

• Vet’s Top Tips for Preparing for Traveling With Your Dog
• Top 5 Things You Need for a Road Trip with Your Dog
• On the Road With Your Pooch: Car Travel Risks and Safety
• Top 10 Hotel Etiquette Tips When Traveling With Your Dog
• 3 Tips for Traveling With a Bully Breed

If you’re road tripping this summer, why not camp along the way?

• 5 Tips to Enjoy Camping with Your Dog

Go Outside, Already!

There are many beautiful sunrises to be seen all throughout the year, but there is something extra special about seeing the sun rise on a summer morning. With the sun’s ascension into the sky, flowers come to life and release their intoxicating scent. The breeze is gentle and cool, and there is a peace that begs you to come outside and revel in its glory. It also happens to be one of the best times to exercise your dog. If you wait any later, it will be too hot and dogs do not do well with heat.

• Running with Your Dog: 5 Tips to Get You Started
• 5 Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Hike with Your Dog

Splish Splash

Few things feel better on a hot summer day than a dip in the pool, a trip to the beach or a boat cruise, and your dog could not agree more. Most dogs love the water and enjoy playing in it, whether it is the backyard pool, the ocean or your sprinkler system. But before you take him out for a swim, read the following tips to ensure you’ll have a safe and enjoyable time in the water with your dog.

• Water Safety Tips for Dogs
• 5 Things You Need for a Trip to the Beach with Your Dog
• Dog Paddle – Learning to Stand-Up PaddleSurf with My Dog
• Top 4 Boat Safety Tips for Dogs
• Tips for Canoeing or Kayaking With Your Dog

If your dog should accidentally get swept off the beach into the ocean, please do not go after him, even though it’s your first instinct. The U.S. Coast Guard strongly advises against it, since your dog will most likely make it safely back to the shore. And, sadly, most dogs do make it back while their owners don’t.

You should also have a first aid kit on hand with you at all times. Your dog could cut his paw on broken glass in the sand, get stung by a bee or get hurt playing. If you have a first aid kit, you will be able to help your dog and your vet.

Just a Dog Friendly Reminder

Summer nights seem to be meant for sitting outside at your favorite restaurant, having a bite to eat with your best friend and looking at the stars. But before you take him out to eat, read these five tips so that your dog has proper petiquette.

• 5 Tips for Dining Out with Your Dog

PHOTOS: MoniqueRodriguez, negaprion

Eat

Flying Star Café – 723 Silver Ave. SW (map), 505-244-8099

Established in 1987 by New York natives, the Flying Star Café has become one of Albuquerque’s most beloved dog-friendly restaurants.

Petfriendlyrestaurants.com says, “Flying Star is so fond of animal companions that it refers to its outdoor seating areas as ‘petios.’ Accommodations include leash tie-ups, water bowls and bones. Its sister company, Satellite Coffee, also welcomes dogs on its patios.”

The Flying Star Café has nine locations to accommodate dogs – and their humans – all over the Albuquerque area.

Kelly’s Brew Pub – 3222 Central Ave. SE (map), 505-262-BREW (2739)

Located in the historic James Motor Building, Kelly’s Brew Pub has been attracting many dog-loving patrons over the years for their great food, excellent beer selection and, of course, their dog-friendly menu and patio.

Monica S. wrote on Yelp!, “It’s a great place to people watch and catch a tan in the summer or relax in the shade under the umbrellas. This patio is family and pet friendly, and you feel like you become a part of the neighborhood.”

Play

Tingley Beach – 1800 Tingley Dr. (map)

If you want to take a nice, long walk with your pooch, then Tingley Beach is your spot. All dogs must be on leash. You might be able to sneak in a swim, too.

John from Albuquerque writes on bringfido.com, “The nearest place [to swim] is about half way between here [Tingley Beach] and Santa Fe called Cochiti Lake. It’s a Corps of Engineers lake. Drive to the far side of the lake to find a beach [where] you can let your dog swim. All the other facilities are no dogs allowed.”

If you don’t feel like walking, but your pooch needs some exercise, then visit any one of Albuquerque’s 11 off-leash parks.

Stay

The Mauger Estate B&B – 701 Roma Ave. NW (map), 505-242-8755

If you want to stay in the heart of Albuquerque, then the Mauger Estate B&B will fit your needs. This intimate bed-and-breakfast is a Queen Anne-style residence with high ceilings and beautiful woodwork. The rooms are luxurious with cozy beds, and the menu is full of mouth-watering dishes to delight your taste buds. And if this doesn’t sound nice enough, your four-legged friend is more than welcome to join you.

The Mauger Estate B&B has set aside a first-floor room especially for small and medium dogs. It features a doggie door and fenced side yard. In addition, there are two townhouses with fenced back patios where dogs are welcome. Your dog will receive a water dish, dog bones and the promise of extra belly rubs from the staff. All it will cost you is a one-time pet fee of $20 per stay.

Hotel Andaluz – 125 2nd St. NW (map), 505-242-9090

If you’re feeling fancy and want to indulge a little bit – you are on vacation after all – then the Hotel Andaluz is exactly what you are looking for.

This Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards recipient is the epitome of luxury in Albuquerque, and it has the distinction of being the fourth Hilton Hotel ever built. It’s been newly renovated and renamed, but the Hotel Andaluz did not lose any of its historic and rich feel that keep guests coming back time and time again. And it’s dog friendly, too!

Dogs of all sizes are welcome for a $50 non-refundable deposit. The Hotel Andaluz has also taken the liberty of compiling a list of dog-friendly services and amenities in the area, so that your pooch can have the relaxing vacation he deserves.

Albuquerque is a great place for a nice relaxing holiday with your favorite four-legged friend. Offering activities for both of you to enjoy, “Burque” is a fun destination for anyone traveling with their pooch.

PHOTO: Feverpitched

Below is a list of just a few of the dog friendly coffee shops in Portland where you can bring your pooch along when you enjoy a freshly brewed cup.

1. Detour Café – 3035 SE Division St. (map), 503-234-7499

A neighborhood go-to since 2001, the Detour Café’s menu includes house-baked breads and Stumptown coffee. Using organic products and locally farmed produce as often as possible, this café serves up delicious pastries, breakfast sandwiches and lunch favorites like salad and pizza. For the tea drinkers in Portland, Detour also offers handcrafted chai and Foxfire teas.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their pet parents on the patio.

Open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2. Tin Shed Garden Café – 1438 NE Alberta St. (map), 503-288-6966

Located in the heart of the Alberta Arts neighborhood, the Tin Shed Garden Café serves organic, shade-grown coffee that’s roasted and blended in Portland. According to its website, the café believes that “energy travels through food: not just caloric, but spiritual energy. Our goal is to give the food a good ride from farm, to grocer, to the Shed and to you.” Its menu includes a rich variety of mostly vegan and vegetarian options. There is even a Doggie Menu.

Yelp! reviewer Leslie O. wrote, “Everything I could possibly ask for in breakfast. We sat in the covered patio, which was delightful – a fireplace, heaters, well-behaved dogs and everything family friendly.”

Open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

3. Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters – 7901 SE 13th Ave. (map), 503-756-0224

An independent Portland roaster with its own café storefront, Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters prepares only small batches to fill its daily orders. With some of the freshest coffee in Portland, the Blue Kangaroo is a must-visit after a morning walk with your dog.

“Our style of roasting would be described as Old World, Artisan or Craftsmanship,” says this café’s website. “We hand-roast each small batch of coffee by the sight, sound and smell of the roasting coffee.”

Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters offers doggie treats and welcomes pooches to join their pet parents at the outdoor tables.

Open 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day except Saturdays and Sundays, when they open at 7 a.m.

4. K&F Coffee Roasters – 2706 SE 26th Ave. (map), 503-238-2547

Since 1983, this Portland roaster has been roasting its own blend of Arabica beans from around the world. According to its website, K&F roasts “more than 70 regular and decaffeinated blends and varietals, [which include] an ever-changing limited supply of special harvests.”

Brandy S. on Yelp! had this to say: “I really like K&F during the summer… People are out on walks with their dogs and stop in for some coffee or to talk to neighbors. [It's] a great feeling.”

Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Saturdays and Sundays, when they open at 7 a.m.

PHOTO: Detour Café

If you enjoy hiking with your pooch, you’re in luck – there are plenty of dog friendly trails in and near Portland. Here are four easy trails in the Metro area where your leashed dog is welcome. Find more on Pet Friendly Portland.

1. Eastbank Esplanade – SE Water Avenue at Hawthorne Boulevard (map)

This 3.2-mile trail follows the Willamette River and crosses two bridges, offering amazing views of the Portland skyline. It’s best for dogs used to loud urban noises – and who don’t mind walking on steel grating. “It was definitely noisy and disconcerting to our dog, a suburban pup who is not used to the sounds of the city!” wrote Yelp! reviewer Anne L. “He did not like the steel grating that comprises much of the floating sections of the esplanade.”

2. Hoyt Arboretum – 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. (map), 503-865-8733

You and your pooch can stroll among more than 1,000 species of trees from around the world in this arboretum located in Washington Park. The main looping trail is 4.7 miles long, and there are plenty of other trails leading to every corner of the 187-acre property. “Hoyt Arboretum is a great place to go jogging or take the dog for a long walk,” wrote Maggie DeVerter on Google+. “There are signs on many of the different flora species so that visitors can learn about or identify them in the future.”

3. Springwater Corridor – One of many entrances is SE Spokane Street at SE Oaks Park Way (map)

The Springwater Corridor has a paved, scenic trail that is more than 20 miles long, and accommodates hikers, bicyclists and runners. It meanders through wetlands, buttes and pastures, and into industrial areas and residential neighborhoods as well. Be sure to keep your dog on a leash, as you may encounter wildlife, including raccoons, deer and coyotes.

4. Tryon Creek State Natural Area – 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. (map), 503-636-4398

Located smack dab in the middle of southwest Portland, this park has a 2.7-mile trail that will take you through a lush forest. The Portland Hikers Field Guide advises, “[Y]ou may want to strongly consider bringing shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy, and possibly a clean change for the car.” You should probably bring some towels for your dog, too.

PHOTO: lindyi

The dry desert air in Arizona is enough to make any four-legged furball start tongue-wagging. If you’re traveling to the Grand Canyon State, be sure to sniff on over to one of these three pawpular dog friendly bars in Arizona.

1. The Duce – 525 S Central Ave., Phoenix (map), 602-866-3823

Fancy a pint with your Pomeranian? In December, this dog-friendly bar sold t-shirts that read, “Pets are people too” and donated $2 to Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy for every one that was sold. They even hosted a pooch wedding there in June! Be sure to ask for Lou the Labrador if your pooch needs a valet.

2. Angels Trumpet Ale House – 810 N 2nd St., Phoenix (map), 602-252-2630

Craving for some ale with your Affenpinscher? This dog friendly ale house welcomes well-behaved pooches on their patio. “Angel’s Trumpet is a nice addition to the downtown Phoenix food and drink scene!” says Yelp reviewer Kelly A. “I love the dog-friendly patio and the rotating list of beers.”

3.  Tempe Tavern – 1810 E Apache Blvd., Tempe (map), 480-794-1706

This local tavern was voted “Best of Phoenix” by New Times Magazine and has been around since 1918. “My 4-star rating is a bit inflated because they are dog friendly on the patio and that is HUGE plus for me,” says Yelp reviewer Faraaz Z. ”They even bring a doggy bucket of water for your pooch. Pretty badass getting drinks with your dog and then just walking back home.” Check out this happy pooch named Molly enjoying her visit.

PHOTO: sukhchander

But before taking your dog to an outdoor mall, take a moment to evaluate whether or not he will even enjoy going shopping. Malls are often very crowded places with a lot of stimulating scents and sounds. As a responsible pet parent, you need to make sure your dog meets the following criteria.

1. Patience is a Virtue

Even the most patient, well-behaved dog will find the mall to be challenging. Besides strangers trying to pet him and get in his face for kisses, he will also have to deal with loud noises and smells so tantalizing that he may forget his manners and charge after that kid holding a hot dog.

Make sure your dog is capable of handling this type of intense stimulation. Does he come when he is called? Does he stay by your side or do you have to constantly pull him back? If your dog is easily distracted, or has selective hearing, then the mall may not the best place for him.

2. This is a No Potty Zone

It should be a no-brainer, but even potty-trained dogs can have accidents, especially if they are overstimulated or scared. If your dog is skittish, or easily frightened, don’t take him to the mall – unless you want to buy that display item that got a little, um, unexpected shower.

3. Nobody Likes a Barking Dog

A barking dog is a nuisance. No one likes it when a dog barks, so imagine the backlash of dirty looks and snarky comments you’ll receive when you take your dog to the mall and he barks at everyone and everything. Chances are pretty good you’ll be asked to leave any store you’re in, and if mall security gets wind of your barking dog, you could be asked to leave the mall. Not worth it. Leave him at home.

4. I Don’t Bite

The cuter your dog, the more people are going to come up to you asking if they can pet him. Is your dog comfortable with being constantly touched by strangers? Is he cool with them getting in his face? If your dog has ever nipped at you, or someone else, do not take him to the mall. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation in which you could get sued, lose your dog or – worse – both.

5. A Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Make sure you have given your dog plenty of exercise before you take him to the mall, or any public place for that matter. If your dog is tired, he is less likely to engage in bad behavior like barking. This is really important if your trip to the mall involves stopping for a bite to eat. A well-exercised pooch will be too tired to try and steal your food or the food off of a stranger’s plate, and will probably just curl up at your feet and take a nap.

The mall can be a great place to socialize your dog, but if you have any concerns about your dog’s ability to handle its excitement, then do him a solid and leave him at home.

PHOTO: emreogan

Before you get going, be sure to check out 5 Things You Need for a Trip to the Beach with Your Dog.

1. Town of Duck Beach – 1200 Duck Road, Duck (map), 252-255-1234

One of our favorite dog friendly beaches is the town beach in Duck. Not only are dogs allowed on the beach year-round, they’re also allowed on the beach off leash year-round. All the town asks is that you clean up after your pooch and throw waste away instead of burying it or throwing it out to sea, and we’re more than happy to oblige.

Fun Fact: Duck Beach was ranked by FIDO Friendly magazine as one of the “Top 10 FIDO Friendly Beaches.”

2. Topsail Beach, Topsail Beach (map)

Another favorite beach to take our pups to in North Carolina is Topsail Beach. While it’s not a year-round off-leash beach, it’s close: A leash is required mid-May through September, and the rest of the year dogs are allowed to romp freely in the surf – under good voice control, of course.

Fun Fact: Avid dog owners and beachgoers call Topsail Beach the most beautiful pet friendly beach on the East Coast.

3. Oak Island Beach, Oak Island (map)

Oak Island Beach is the southernmost N.C. beach that allows dogs year-round. Dogs are allowed off-leash from October 15 to May 15 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Like Topsail Beach, good voice control is required when you don’t have your dog leashed-up.

Fun Fact: Most of the Brunswick County beaches surrounding Oak Island are also dog friendly.

PHOTOS: Canine Journal

• Pet Policy: There is a $30 nightly fee per room. Pets must weigh less than 80 pounds. Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers and Chows are not allowed. Up to two pets are allowed per room, and a copy of your dog’s shot records must be faxed to the hotel no earlier than 10 days from the date of your arrival. Dogs must stay in the designated dog-friendly areas of the resort and be leashed at all times, except in the Pet Play Zone. See the resort’s online pet policy for complete information.

For its two-legged guests, each of TradeWinds’ 48 pet-friendly suites offer the following:

• Two double beds with pillow-top mattresses and a double-size sofa bed
• Flat-screen, high-definition TV
• Mini fridge
• Microwave oven
• Coffee maker
• Hairdryer
• Lighted makeup mirror
• Iron and ironing board
• Wireless Internet access
• In-room movies
• Voice mail
• Daily newspaper

For more information, check out this story about TradeWinds Island Grand on i Love Dog Friendly!

Follow @TWResorts