I awoke this morning to the din of a jackhammer tearing up the pavement in front of my house. Right away I longed to be back in Mendocino where I spent the last few days. There, the only sounds in the mornings were from distant waves crashing against ocean rocks and the pitter patter of not one, but two sets of paws, trotting about our vacation rental house.

The past weekend was a first. Though my husband and I have taken Vinnie on many weekend getaways, this was the first time we spent an entire weekend with another dog.  I was admittedly somewhat anxious as we waited for our good friends and their dog Niko to arrive on Friday night. Niko and our dog Vinnie had met briefly a couple of times before and played together once for about ten minutes. Vinnie is well-socialized to other dogs. But playing with a dog at the park is one thing. Living with another dog is another. Both Vinnie and Niko were the only dogs in their homes. Would they get along? Would there be fights over toys or food? Would our relaxing weekend getaway morph into a stressful slog of constant doggy supervision?  

My worries were for naught. After a few moments of obligatory circling and butt sniffing, and a couple of play bows, the dogs were fast friends. When Niko played fetch with his ball, Vinnie ran beside him, trying to instigate a game of chase. When Vinnie taunted Niko with a Frisbee, Niko gamely tried to grab it, and soon the two were playing keep away. There were countless games of chase, with each dog taking turns being “It,” and several friendly wrestling matches.
After all the playing, the dogs were only too happy to return to the house in the evenings to crash and gnaw on bones while the humans watched the sunset, poured wine, soaked in the hot tub or read by the fireplace. Both dogs adore their food, so we made sure to avoid potential food fights by feeding them in separate rooms. Bully sticks and other chewies were also distributed separately but equally.

Mendocino is always spectacular. The peaceful tiny village sits at the mouth of a river right on Highway One and overlooks the ocean. Beautifully restored historic buildings line the streets and house all sorts of shops. You can taste wine at local wineries, rent a kayak and see the sea up close, or picnic on the bluffs as you watch for whale spouts. It doesn’t matter what you do. There’s no escaping the splendid rugged California coastline, or the vineyards blanketing the hills. At this time of year, the vines are a splendid riot of golds, eggplants, burgundy and orange.

If you and your dog love the outdoors, Mendocino is a slice of heaven. There are beaches galore, shallow rivers to splash or swim in, ocean treasures to admire in tide pools, state parks round every bend, and miles and miles of trails hugging the ocean bluffs.  When you’re ready for down time, you’ll find lots of dog-friendly cafés and restaurants. Many cozy inns, romantic bed and breakfasts, and vacation rental homes in the area welcome you and your well-behaved dog at the end of the day. Click here for a list of all types of dog-friendly lodging in Mendocino.

A few tips for road tripping with your dog:
•    Bring plenty of water in the car and on field trips.
•    Take regular breaks on long drives so your dog can stretch his legs, hydrate and do his business.
•    Regulate the temperature in your car so your dog doesn’t overheat.
•    Never leave your dog unattended in your vacation lodgings. Being left alone in unfamiliar places can be very upsetting for many dogs, even the most well-adjusted, and they’ll let you (and other guests) know by barking, whining, chewing stuff up, and possibly, eliminating indoors.
•    Apply flea and tick preventatives before you leave home and check your dog carefully for those pesky critters after every outdoor excursion.
•    If your dog usually sleeps in a dog bed or crate, bring it with you. It’ll help him feel more comfortable in new surroundings.
•    Take some old towels to clean dirty paws and coats, and old sheets to protect human beds and furniture.
•    Make sure your dog is wearing proper identification at all times.  

Photo Credit: Jmurphy95437, Gudenius

Posted: November 24, 2008