VISIT DOGFANCY.COM | September 2012 3332 DOGFANCY | September 2012

IRESIDENTS OF THEIIWINNING OREGON CITYIIWORK, DINE, AND STAYI

IFIT WITH THEIR DOGS.I

B Y LY N N M . H AY N E RBend, OREGON

PEOPLE: 80,000 DOGS: 27,000 The city of Bend, Ore. — a place where dogs bothwork and play, ski and swim — claims the DogTownUSA title for 2012.

Bend beckons dog owners with an abundance ofpooch-included sports, activities, and events. “Win-ter recreation is a big deal here, and owners cross-country ski, skijor, snowshoe, and hike with theircanine friends,” says Doug La Placa, CEO for VisitBend, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.“New this year, our dog advocacy group, DogPAC,acquired a Sno-Cat — renamed “sno-dog” — toenhance trail grooming at Wanoga Sno-Park, result-ing in a wonderful network of dog-friendly wintertrails.” Area residents and winter visitors can watch

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PACKlondike, who belongs to Bend

resident Laura Grayson, exploresthe outdoors in Bend.

Dog-friendly outdooractivities abound inBend, Ore.

D O G T OW N U S A®

the stages of the AttaBoy 300 Sled Dog Race or takedog-sled rides at the Oregon Trail of Dreams.

In the summertime, Bend locals stand up pad-dleboard on the Deschutes River, often with theirdogs riding on the front of the board. “Every daythere’s a new adventure in Bend with my dogs,”says Laura Grayson, a Bend resident and boardmember for DogPAC. “Having access to amazingtrails with my dogs tops my long list of reasons tolove living here.” Families can hike along theDeschutes River and play fetch off-leash withtheir dogs in the water. In fact, Bend boasts sevenoff-leash areas, along with miles of dog-friendlymountain biking trails in the national forest.Resident Bob Wenger, a tireless advocate for dogs

in Bend, worked to createand improve off-leash dogareas. “Bob’s pride and joywas the Pine Nursery Off-Leash Dog Park, and itwas there Bob died of aheart attack in January,with his dog Ryder by hisside,” says Kreg Lindberg,president of DogPAC.“The park is renamed theBob Wenger Off-LeashArea in his memory.”

Summer fun in Bendalso includes the Fourth ofJuly Pet Parade andDogPAC’s Deschutes Dog

Days event, featuring the recently launched RuffRun 5K, crazy river retrieves, timed fetch, and theentertaining “hot dog on a spoon” race. Andbecause canine fitness matters, the HumaneSociety of Central Oregon hosts a Healthy Houndsweight loss challenge, with a 3K walk.

Along with sports and play, owners and theirdogs have the luxury of dining together at dozens ofBend restaurants that allow dogs in patio areas. TheBend Ale Trail is a network of 10 local breweriesthat blend into Bend’s dog-friendly culture. “One ofthe newest breweries, GoodLife, opened last sum-mer with a massive outdoor beer garden, where vis-itors are encouraged to bring dogs,” La Placa says.

Tourists in Bend find many hotels enthusiasti-cally welcome dog guests. The Oxford Hotel, forexample, greets each canine with a personal bedproportional to his size, travel bowls, organic dogtreats, and a map of walking trails and parks — forthose in their party who can read, of course.

The business community in Bend caters to four-legged friends as well. “Bend is awash in businessesthat produce dog-friendly products, allow dogs inthe workplace, or welcome dogs with shoppers,” LaPlaca says. “In Douglas Fine Jewelry, shoppers willbe greeted by a friendly bully breed who’s happy tolick their hands, and Sunnyside Sports and Eyes onWall Street, a vision center, both have shop dogson-site.” Down the road, the Polka-Doodle DogBakery serves up healthy, fresh dog treats from orig-inal recipes designed over the course of 15 years.

While some Bend dogs watch over local shops,others help out with nature-oriented jobs. Mt.Bachelor Avalanche Rescue Dogs are skilled atlocating victims under masses created by snowslides. They train on the mountain every day withtheir handlers to ensure the safety of both skiersand snowboarders. The dogs in the area’s HighDesert Search Dogs group focus on wildernessand urban tracking and trailing. Their motto:Lending a nose to help others.

Both dogs already in homes and dogs insearch of homes find caring hands in Bend. Thecity estimates that about 75 percent of its dogsare licensed, and some 80 percent are voluntarilyspayed or neutered. Of the approximately 2,000dogs who came through the Humane Society ofCentral Oregon shelter last year — it covers alarge region, including Bend — about 1,700 werere-homed, adopted, or returned to owners. Dogsare only euthanized for health or severe behaviorcases, and fewer owners surrendered their dogslast year than the year before.

“What I love about Bend is the diversity of thingsto do: My dog and I can visit a traditional dog park,play fetch in the Deschutes River, or hike in theThree Sisters Wilderness, and then top any day offtogether at Cascade Lakes brewpub,” Lindberg says.“It doesn’t get much better than that!”

34 DOGFANCY | September 2012

PEOPLE: 37,000DOGS: 22,000Bozeman is an outdoorsy community with a dog foralmost every family. “We know you’re a newcomer ifyou don’t have a dog in your truck cab,” says PhilRogers, executive director of the Heart of the ValleyAnimal Shelter. Dogs join families camping, hikingnational forest trails, swimming, duck hunting, andmeeting up in the city’s seven dog parks. “After out-ings, dogs strolling down Main Street can expect adrink of water set out by local shops,” Rogers says.

Winter events in Bozeman feature snow, ofcourse. “Each February (or March), we sponsor theSnowshoe Shuffle, a lighted, dog-friendly snowshoecourse in a ski area,” Rogers says. “When snowretreats, owners take their dogs to the city’s veryown canine beach.” Warm-weather events includeWoofstock, complete with dock diving, agility, andherding, and the newly established K-9 9K race.

Bozeman clearly has its heart in the right place.The Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter has 90 per-cent of the dogs who go through its doors reclaimedby their owners, adopted, or rescued, and also pro-vides a 15 acre off-leash dog park open to all.

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The late Bob Wenger, a promi-nent dog advocate in Bend,cycles with his dog Ryder nearthe city’s Old Mill District.

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A Bozeman dog takes in themountain vistas while hiking.

Bozemandogs andfamilies enjoythe annualSnowshoeShuffle at alocal skiresort.

VISIT DOGFANCY.COM | September 2012 35

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Natural BalanceOur DogTown USA® winner,Bend, Ore., will receive $5,000from Natural Balance.

Natural Balanceproducts are usedand respectedworldwide by toptrainers, breeders,veterinarians, ken-nels, and caring pet

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VISIT DOGFANCY.COM | September 2012 3736 DOGFANCY | September 2012

PEOPLE: 608,000DOGS: 153,000Home to more dogs than children, Seattlehas 11 dog parks within the city, miles ofdog-friendly hiking in the Cascade foothills,and indoor dog parks for rainy days. “InSeattle it’s not unusual to see dogs in thelocal hardware store shopping with theircompanions,” says Sally Clark, city councilpresident. “One of our largest businesses,Amazon.com, has dog-friendly offices, andretailer REI runs a dog ‘barn’ at their homeoffice.” Events such as the Furry 5K FunRun and Walk and the Dog-O-Ween festivi-ties keep both owners and dogs exercisedand entertained. Happy dogs even come tohappy hour at Norm’s Eatery & Alehouse.

Seattle takes pride in caring for its dogs,too. More than 85 percent of the city’s dogsare voluntarily spayed or neutered, and theshelter euthanizes only about 11 percent ofthe dogs who come in each year.

PEOPLE: 39,000 DOGS: 20,000 “In Annapolis, all youneed to feel at home isa good boat, a goodhat, and a good dog,”says Connie Del Sig-nore, president of theAnnapolis & AnneArundel CountyConference & VisitorsBureau.

Annapolis extends a welcome to tourists with dogs in tow; many bed and breakfasts, inns, andhotels allow dogs. “Walk down the streets on any spring, summer, or fall evening, and you’ll see a hostof dogs dining with owners at outdoor restaurants,” Del Signore adds.

Visitors to Quiet Waters Park walk their dogs along miles of trails, winding through hardwoodforests and enjoying vistas. Quiet Waters also features the county’s first dog park, with two large off-leash areas. “Boats, including the Harbor Queen, allow dogs on their cruises, and it’s common to seedogs at the helm of many a boat, dinghy, and kayak at the City Dock,” Del Signore says. “Dog watch-ing is as popular as people watching in America’s sailing capital.”

Paws Pet Boutique, a leading advocate for dogs in Annapolis, sponsors events such as theCrabtowne Canines march in the Fourth of July parade, Canines in the Courtyard on Feel GoodFridays fundraiser series, and Ben’s Cruise for Compassion. “Rescued from a puppy mill, Ben ‘hosts’the annual benefit that raises funds to help give animals a voice in the legal system,” Del Signore says.Equally passionate about dogs in need, Annapolis re-homes a large number of its shelter’s dogs.

THERESTOF THEBEST(in alphabetical order)

Bangor,MAINE

Falmouth,MASSACHUSETTS

Fargo,NORTH DAKOTA

Portland,MAINE

San Diego,CALIFORNIA

PEOPLE: 140,000DOGS: 35,000Along the shores of the Potomac River, Alexandriaoffers dogs a metropolitan paradise. Dogs andtheir families can play in the 18 dog parks andexercise areas, hike the miles of dog-friendlypaths, or stroll Old Town’s historic neighbor-hoods, once walked by George Washington.

Alexandria has 14 dog-friendly hotels, includ-ing Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Alexandria, with itsrenowned Doggie Yappy Hour and “Director ofPet Relations,” Charlie the Bichon Frise. “Humansenjoy appetizers and drinks, while dogs chow onbiscuits and water,” says Patrick Cole, director ofcommunications and outreach at the AnimalWelfare League of Alexandria.

Residents and tourists alike cruise the Poto-mac with their dogs. Potomac Riverboat Co.’sCanine Cruises give two-legged and four-leggedpassengers a tour of the seaport.

The city estimates that 85 percent of its dogsare spayed and neutered. Community functionsalso help out canines. “Events such as OldeTowne Dogge Walke raise funds to support theAnimal Welfare League of Alexandria, as well ascelebrate the city’s widespread love of dogs,”Cole says. DF

NEWORLEANS:A CITY THATINSPIRESEven in the face of tougheconomic times and natu-ral disaster fallout, NewOrleans puts its heart intomaking the city dog-friend-ly. “People are passionatein New Orleans about NewOrleans, and this even ex-tends to their furry, four-legged friends,” says AnaZorrilla, CEO of the Loui-siana Society for thePrevention of Cruelty toAnimals. “Take a walkdown Magazine Street,and you’ll come acrossrescue dogs, some waitingto be adopted and somewho have already foundtheir forever homes, andeveryone stops to pet thepups and ask their story.”New Orleanians love theirdog parks, and they workhard to include their dogsin festivities, such asMardi Gras-themed pa-rades for dogs. There’seven the New Orleans onTap dog-friendly beer festi-val, raising funds to helpthe Louisiana SPCA.

“While the reality isoften bleak for the thou-sands of homeless animals,New Orleanians’ support ofanimal welfare is unparal-leled,” Zorrilla says. “TheLouisiana SPCA takes in alltypes, from the tired andsick to the abandoned.”

The network of animalwelfare providers explodedin the area in 2005 whenHurricane Katrina hit. “Acompassionate heart is nothard to find in a city thatwon’t forget,” Zorrilla says.“The Louisiana SPCA ledthe animals through a verydark time, and is now turn-ing the corner on a futurewhere all possibilities togive these animals a sec-ond chance are explored.”

3 Annapolis, MARYLAND

4 Seattle, WASHINGTON

Alexandria, VIRGINIA

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Dogs are welcome on eCruiser tours of Annapolis.

Dogs hike alongSeattle’s miles ofocean shorelineand local lakes.

Turk, a Border Colliemix, finds a playgroundof city fun with a volun-teer from the AnimalWelfare League ofAlexandria.