137 Pound Dog Friendly Vacation

by Roseann Benson

Unless they begin manufacturing an industrial grade purse, we will never be able to hide, Cleo, our 137 pound Newfoundland.  Besides, we couldn’t keep Cleo’s light under a bushel basket (or in a huge purse) even if we tried because the girl’s rock star charisma guarantees an adoring public everywhere.  To that end, we embrace Cleo’s formidable presence by ensuring that dogs are welcome whatever our activity or travel plans are.  Being practical people, we planned our family vacation around Cleo’s love of swimming with our desire to be able to drive to our destination.  Nova Scotia was the perfect match, and, once we secured dog friendly lodging, this vacation promised something for everyone in our dual species household.

We began our trip by driving to Bar Harbor.  It was a beautiful afternoon when we checked into the Rockhurst Motel (68 Mount Desert St) (207 288-3140), dog friendly lodging in close proximity to the Maine/Nova Scotia Ferry a high speed catamaran, also known as the “CAT.”  As my husband checked in and I walked Cleo around the premises, a woman tried to bum a cigarette off of me.  I also noticed several other nefarious characters lurking around.  It called to mind “The Office” television episode where Jim and Pam stayed at a scary B&B, and Jim thought that there was a one in six chance that they would be killed before the night was over.  Nonetheless, the Rockhurst was dog friendly, reasonably priced, and located within walking distance to downtown Bar Harbor. 

In Bar Harbor, it was refreshing that MANY of the businesses welcomed dogs, and not just the dog stores.  Cadillac Mountain Sports (26 Cottage Street) permitted Cleo entry, so that both my husband and I could shop at the same time.  Previously, I had only felt this welcome with Cleo in the decidedly dog town of Saratoga, NY.  In fact, the Park Side Restaurant (185 Main Street), located directly down the street from the Rockhurst Motel, had a sign out in front inviting dogs and their owners.  The service was excellent and the food was both reasonably priced and tasty.  If you are interested in entering a store, it shouldn’t hurt to ask.  The beach at the end of Main Street also allowed dogs.

Before strolling back to Rockhurst, we stopped in the CAT office to check into the ferry using our passports and the reservation we made over the Internet.  The CAT office, which is attached to the Nova Scotia tourism office, is located on the corner of Main and Cottage Street is dog friendly, also.  When we returned to the motel the atmosphere was less daunting, as it looked to be at full capacity and many of the guests were walking their dogs around the grounds.  Chatting it up with the other dog loving residents revealed that many of us would meet up on the ferry the next morning.  During our short stay at the Rockhurst, it grew on us and, although we were initially spooked, we decided to keep our reservation when we returned from Nova Scotia.

We left Rockhurst at 7:59 am and drove 1.31 miles to the Nova Scotia ferry.  Since we checked into the CAT the previous evening in downtown Bar Harbor, we were waved passed the check in line and lined up to board the CAT at 8:03 am.  Ah, the benefits of early CAT check in.  The CAT does not charge for canine passage; however, your dog cannot enter the passenger deck.  The two scary ferry-traveling options for your dog include staying in the CAT kennels or remaining in your car.  You cannot travel with your pets on the lower deck.  If you have a car, I would keep your dog there for the trip, so they at least have familiar surroundings.  CAT employees understand your concern and will escort you down to the lower deck to visit your dog during the trip when they are not too busy.  The trip is not easy on motion sickness prone humans, either.  So, if you need to, ask your pharmacist what you can take over the counter to help you sprout some sea legs.  The CAT itself features duty-free shopping, slot machines, movies, food, and beverages.  There is also the beautiful view from the deck.  When the ferry docked in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, we were able to bring Cleo into Canada by presenting her rabies certificate and we were allowed to enter by showing our passports and completing the customs form.  

After exiting the ferry, it was an easy drive to our first dog friendly lodging, Churchill Mansion.  Cleo was welcomed from the moment she set foot on the property and she repaid the favor by acting like she owned the place.  Perched on a hill overlooking two lakes and the Bay of Fundy,

Churchill Mansion was located close to a variety of fresh and salt water beaches and, as part of the plan for this vacation was to train Cleo for her upcoming water tests, we were glad to have our choice of training sites.  Dog friendly, ocean beaches we visited included Mavillette Beach.

and Port Maitland Beach (http://obpl.com/prt-mtlnd.html) - both beaches were pristine and breath taking.  Port Maitland was more populated than Mavillette, but in no way over run.  Cape Forchu Lighthouse, located a few miles outside of Yarmouth, allows dogs on the premises, as well.  A fresh water option located fairly close to Churchill Mansion was Darling Lake and it was perfect for our purposes.  Cleo’s mere presence attracts people to us, but throw in water training equipment and we became a temporary Nova Scotia attraction ourselves.  At Darling Lake, a local family volunteered to help us train on two consecutive days.  Nova Scotia also offers a seven day, non-resident, fresh water general fishing license for $23.00.  Fishing is another great outdoor adventure for humans and canines alike.

Many of Yarmouth’s shops close after five pm; however, drug stores, restaurants, and drinking establishments remain open.  Unfortunately, the open container laws are rather strict and you cannot imbibe outside a restaurant or pub.  This affects dog owners that are accustomed to throwing one or two back while sitting at an outdoor café.  That said, there are some excellent dog friendly restaurants throughout the Yarmouth area. 

Cape View Restaurant off of Highway No. 1 on the Evangeline Trail was dog friendly.  The view of Mavillette Beach from this venue’s outdoor seating was spectacular; however, this was lost on Cleo as she inhaled haddock.  We all ate Cape View’s seafood the first visit and it was amazing, a later visit revealed that pizza is probably not their specialty.  Another Cape View Cleo benefit was the proximity of Mavillette Beach, as it was a short walk to Cleo’ after dinner swim. 

Between Yarmouth and the Cape Forchu Lighthouse, Stanley Lobster Company on Route 304 is a lobster company where you eat fresh lobster, cooked as you wait, outdoors – 2die4!  Well-behaved, obedient dogs are welcome.  As feral cats walk fearlessly and unapologetically around the grounds, they can, understandably, stir a predatory instinct that is inappropriate in a restaurant setting.  In addition, those cats are tough when challenged. 

It was an experience eating at Wilson’s Family Restaurant (351 Main Street) in downtown Yarmouth, because the proprietors recognized Cleo from our previous downtown Yarmouth trips.  The fare was tasty, the service was excellent, and Cleo was given a hamburger gratis. 

South West Nova Scotia is very drivable and plenty of day trips are possible.  Similar to Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, and Bear River possess dog friendly cultures.  In Digby, Cleo met an entire military marching band.  When we were walking through beautiful Annapolis Royal, a representative of Bainton's Tannery Outlet exited her store and asked if she could give Cleo water.  The lady proceeded to bring out a huge bowl of water and a dog biscuit.  When Cleo finished having her picture taken with other tourists, she was thrilled to have refreshments.  Bear River Vineyards welcomed Cleo onto their cool floors and gave her a stick to chew on while we tasted wine.

Trout Point Lodge Wilderness Resort, adjacent to Nova Scotia’s Tobeatic Wilderness Area, was our second dog friendly stop.  My husband was particularly excited about checking into the resort, as their culinary reputation preceded them.  I was thrilled about entering the world of “Yes” by checking into a four and a half star resort that allowed dogs.  I reasoned that if Churchill Mansion was so accommodating and wonderful; Trout Point would be out of this world.  The resort was indeed very beautiful and we had a gorgeous cabin that overlooked Tusket River. 

We water trained daily with Cleo conveniently in front of the cabin, as the weather was great the entire trip.  Jim continued to give his seven day fishing license a work out, as well. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to participate in the Trout Point’s nightly meals.  This became a bigger deal than necessary, because, unless told otherwise, Trout Point assumed you were eating with them every night and would charge your bill accordingly.  Cleo was not welcomed inside the main cabin nor was she allowed to eat with us outside on the main cabin’s patio.  Bringing the meal back to the cabin was not an available option for us, either.  Basically, they wanted us to confine our dog to our rented cabin during the dinners.  Unfortunately, we interpreted “dog friendly’ differently than Trout Point and were horribly disappointed with their dining policies.  We prepared our human and canine meals in our rented cabin’s kitchen and relaxed in our quiet seclusion, feeling slightly cheated.  We wondered if Canadian star rating was based on seven rather than a five star scale.

Upon our return to the US, we stopped at Acadia National Park before continuing to Portland, Maine and returning home. 

Acadia is amazing and dogs are allowed with restrictions, the main restriction being short leashes.  When you take in the rugged terrain, you will understand that short leashes are a very necessary Acadia safety precaution.

If we go to Portland, ME during summer, we usually eat at Gritty Mc Duff's.  They have great pub food and outdoor, dog friendly seating on a quiet street in back of the restaurant.  Also, if we travel to Portland, ME any time of the year, we stop in at Old Port Wine Merchants for its wide selection of wine, liquor and cigars.  Dogs of any size are also welcome in the establishment throughout the four seasons.

Websites

Maine/Nova Scotia Ferry:  www.catferry.com

Churchill Mansion:  www.churchillmansion.com

Mavillette Beach:  http://obpl.com/mav-beach.html

Cape Forchu Lighthouse: www.capeforchulight.com/welcome.htm

Cape View Restaurant:  www.capeviewrestaurant.com

Stanley Lobster Company:  www.stanleylobster.com

Bainton's Tannery Outlet:  www.baintons.ca

Bear River Vineyards:  www.wine.travel/.html

Trout Point Lodge Wilderness Resort:  www.troutpoint.com

Gritty Mc Duff's:  www.grittys.com

Old Port Wine Merchants:  www.oldportwine.com