Summer is here and it’s time for us and our pups to be out and about! Check out this cool list of local events from Dogs in the CLE of events and activities for you and your dog to enjoy this summer! Their full list even includes activities for all year round fun!
“Events:
Take your dog swimming – Lakewood Dog Park’s annual dog swim and Dog Paddle and Pet-a-Palooza are two fun annual events to take your dog swimming. Stay tuned for dates this summer! Also, Paws by the Lake, a doggie daycare facility in Avon, also offers pool passes for guests to come and take advantage of their lazy river. Contact them at (440) 933-5297 for more details.
Take your dog to a baseball game – Last year there was no Puppypalooza at Progressive Field, so I am not holding my breath there will be one this year. Considering they added the Corner Bar in the seats they used to sell for Puppypalooza, it seems unlikely it’ll be back this year. I’ll keep an eye on it though. You should still have the opportunity to take your dog to a baseball game at one of the minor league fields. Last year, the Lake Erie Captains, Akron Rubber Ducks and Lake Erie Crushers all hosted dog-friendly game nights. Stay tuned for more details as they are announced!
Enter your dog in a contest – A variety of Cleveland dog events hold dog fashion shows and cutest dog contests throughout the year. The last two years the Cuyahoga Animal Shelter held an event called Pawject Runway and the Warehouse District Festival has held a Cutest Dog Contest for several years as well. Stay tuned for more details as these are announced! Here are some photos from last year’s Pawject Runway: http://dogsinthecle.com/dogs-on-the-runway/
Take your dog to work day – This year’s “Take Your Dog to Work Day” will be held on Friday, June 24. Start petitioning at your work for this now!
Visit a vineyard with your dog – Some area wineries that hold yappy hours during the summer include Debonne Cellars, The Winery at Wolf Creek and Thorncreek Winery. Stay tuned for more details on these events! Woof, Wag and Wine, Lake Humane’s annual dog-friendly winery event, will be held on June 18th this year.
Go to an old dog party – The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs holds “Summer Scoop” also known as the “Old Dog Party” every summer offering activities for senior dogs, including the Old Dog Olympics, an agility course for older dogs. Date for 2016 TBA!
Go to Yappy Hour with your dog – For those of us who can never make it to a happy hour because we have to be home for our dogs, yappy hour season, where you can bring your dog along to a bar, can’t come soon enough. Voices in the Dark Animal Rescue hosts one on every third Friday at Rivals Sports Grille in Middleburg Heights (dogs are welcome on the patio when it’s open!) and Tremont Tap House has hosted dog friendly nights the past several years. Stay tuned to the site for more info on these events.
Visit a new dog park! – Several new dog parks opened last year or in recent years, including the Downtown Dog Park, Canine Meadows Dog Park and Carolyn Ludgate in Medina. Read more about them here: http://dogsinthecle.com/new-cleveland-area-dog-parks/
Activities:
Take your dog to brunch – Luxe in the Detroit Shoreway area is a popular place for dog lovers who also love brunch. The restaurant hosts a Bow Wow Brunch on Sundays in the summer, choosing a Dog of the Week each week to feature on their Facebook page. Other good brunch choices are Rocky River Wine Bar, Nighttown in Cleveland Heights and Lucky’s in Tremont. Hunter and I love brunch! http://dogsinthecle.com/dog-friendly-brunches/
Have a beer with your dog – There are so many great patios to get a beer in the Cleveland area. Check out my list of the Top 10 Dog Friendly Patios, or the Where to Go page, to find one near you.
Hunter sampling the brews at Jukebox (just smell sampling, of course).
Hunter sampling the brews at Jukebox (just smell sampling, of course).
Take your dog to the beach – Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? You can bring your dog along for a swim at Columbia Rd. Beach, Edgewater and Fairport Harbor. All of these beach areas have designated spots for dogs to enjoy the lake.
Take your dog shopping – Crocker Park and Legacy Village and many shops on Main St. in Chagrin Falls are all dog friendly. Crocker and Legacy are mainly just for window shopping, but several stores at Crocker and on Main St. do allow dogs inside.
Put those jumping skills to use – Buckeye Dock Dogs offers dock diving classes for active dogs who love the water. Check them out at: http://www.buckeyedockdogs.com
Take your dog to a farmer’s market – Tremont and Gordon Square Farmer’s Markets are dog friendly, so you can get your shopping done and take your dog on a walk!
Go Paddleboading and/or Boating with your dog – At Hinckley Reservation, dogs are allowed on row boats. You could also borrow a paddleboard from a friend like I did and take your dog paddleboarding! Portage Lakes near Akron is another good spot for water activities with your dog. Read about our paddleboarding adventure here: http://dogsinthecle.com/paddleboarding-pup
Go to a summer festival with your dog – Clifton Arts Festival, The Taste of Tremont and The Warehouse District Festival are common dog-friendly festivals. If you have a calm dog that is good with crowds, this is a fun summer activity.
Get a cup of coffee with your dog – Lucky’s and Civilization, both in Tremont, and Gypsy Bean are all good dog friendly spots for coffee lovers. So bring your dog along next time you want to sit outside with a cup of coffee.
Go camping with your dog – Many area campgrounds are pet friendly including Country Acres Campground in Ravenna, so you can bring your dog along for some hiking and star gazing.
Go to a drive in movie – Aut-o-Rama Drive In in North Ridgeville is dog friendly and last year they hosted a pet night to raise money for Multiple Breed Rescue.”
We were planning on making our own list, but Dogs in the CLE seem to have it completely covered! Do you have any other fun ideas for your dog (or cat!) for this summer? Let us know in the comments below!