JudyADenver

I am working on an elaborate 3 week road trip next Sept, 2010 with our dog. I did not have any problems finding dog friendly hotels in Victoria,--The Laurel Point (Sept 10-13) Vancouver--The Westin Bayshore (Sept 13-16) Hotels will not allow dogs left alone in the room and we will not lock her in the car (theft prevention).

However, I have emailed countless restaurants in both Victoria and Vancouver and not one allows dogs on their outdoor patios. In fact, one restaurant manager, said there's a law in BC which prohibits dogs on patios near food. Is this true or have I not contacted enough restaurants?

For lunch, we can always buy take out and find a park, but for dinner, our options looks really grim. So far the only possibility I have found is the Dockside Restaurant in Vancouver at the Granville Island Hotel which allows dogs to lay down on the grass, bordering the tables on the patio. Most restaurants tell me to tie up the dog on the outside of the patio railing.

We realize that patio dining is dependent on the weather, but it's our only option.

Do you know of any restaurants which might accommodate us?

WillTravel

A site with such listings already exists. Look for Vancouver and Victoria here:

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/tr...tstateBC.shtml

WillTravel

That said, what will you do if it rains?

I suppose takeout in your room, or room service, is a good backup plan.

traveller69

Is your dog crate trained? Fortunately for us our mini doxie is a wonderful traveler. We crate trained her in the beginning and we leave her in her crate in the hotel room when we go out if it is hot. If the weather is OK she loves to be in her crate in the car. Hotels allow you to leave the pet if it is in a crate. I understand how you feel though - we have given up on cruising and air travel because I can't bring myself to leave her for any length of time.

JudyADenver

Yes, our 45 pound goldendoodle is crate trained but on a long road trip, we won't have room for her gigantic wire crate. We will also be including another couple who will have suitcases also. So our space is really limited.

I made a list of all of the places listed on www.dogfriendly.com but I am always hoping to discover a few places on the "best of" lists to accept dogs.

annetti

Have you contacted the Victoria Tourist Center to ask them about the rules regarding animals in restaurants/ and/ or suggestions with restaurants with patios? I found them very helpful when I telephoned with various questions.

I know absolutely nothing about crating a dog. Are dogs willing to use a crate that is not their own? Is it possible to rent one in Victoria and Vancouver? Have you explored that possibility?

Best wishes to you on your trip.

Fodorite018

In Victoria, Barbs Fish n Chips would be ideal with your dog. It is outside, picnic tables, with a tent thing overhead.

Sam_Salmon

"<i>In fact, one restaurant manager, said there's a law in BC which prohibits dogs on patios near food. Is this true...</i>"

Yes it is indeed true-there a fine of at least $250 for allowing pets into places where food/drink are served (<i>guide animals excepted</i

In addition the dog-friendly site as linked upthread is misleading-listings say "<i>Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables.</i>"

That is in no way true-dogs are <b> Not Allowed</b> to sit @ outdoor tables and while some places may close their eyes the long arm of the Health Department can cause those places untold grief if/when some grinch complains-don't rely on that site for dining info.

However all is not lost-Vancouver is an exceptionally dog friendly town with dozens and dozens and dozens of restaurants with patios and the sight of a dog leashed to the outside while the owners dine within reach is commonplace here.8-)

http://www.dinehere.ca/ has listings for hundreds of places and the descriptions often included whether or not there's balcony-my neighbourhood of Kitsilano has all kinds of place that would suit you.

JudyADenver

Thanks Sam for the clarification. I guess it doesn't make sense to make advance reservations. We will just play it by ear and see what works out best. I will definitely come prepared with a long list of possibilities. Unfortunately our dog is very fragile due to her Addisons disease and cannot tolerate any stressful situations--so we are very limited leaving her tied up away from us. It's certainly a very challenging situation but we are quite resourceful and on our last trip we found most people very friendly and helpful.

WillTravel

JudyADenver, do you think your dog would be able to tolerate "doggie daycare" for some hours? That might provide a chance for you to get in some relaxed meals.

JudyADenver

Maddy goes to a specialist, an internist, who deals with her Addisons. The vet warned me never take her to day care, boarding or grooming--anything out of her normal routine. During her Addisonian crisis, when she went into shock and nearly died, I witnessed the entire process. It was terrifying and I try to keep her life as consistent as possible. She takes prednisone daily to help her cope with life. On the trip last year, we got too close to a group of sea lions, and she shook violently for 1 hour.

Life with Maddy (a 44 pound white goldendoodle) is like caring for a special needs child. We know her limitations and are constantly trying to balance our lives around her.

Thanks for your suggestion. With a healthy dog, we would leave her home with my daughter but for a 3 week trip, this is an impossible luxury.

Sam_Salmon

Further clarification-with ground floor patios there's a legally mandated railing with a skinny fence underneath to delineate which area belongs to the restaurant and where booze may legally be served (<i>liquor laws here are byzantine</i.

Tables are often tucked right up against the railing which is generally only a few inches wide-so often dogs are literally right beside the owner.

Phoning the restaurant in advance and asking for an outside patio table/telling them why you need it is a good idea- again restaurateurs here are generally very accommodating it's a competitive business and every customer counts.

Cruiseryyc

If you try to keep her life as consistent as possible, why are you bringing her on a trip that will not be anything like she is used to at home? Sorry to be harsh, but perhaps you should hire someone to come into your home and stay with her where she is used to her normal.

traveller69

cruiseryyc - that is indeed harsh and uncalled for. This is a forum to offer help and answer questions not pass judgement on the poster. I am sure judyADenver has considered all of her options and is just asking for help.

JudyADenver

We took Maddy with us on a 3 week road trip last fall and it was so successful that we are eager to go again with the dog. Traveling with her is like being in the entourage of a Rock Star. We get stopped every few feet with questions about her--she is truly gorgeous and a people magnet. We certainly wouldn't get that attention without her.

This next trip is all about her--we are willing to do whatever it takes to be able to include her. If we must eat take out in a park, that's what we'll do.

I have learned that with ALOT of research, our options increase.

I have emailed many Vancouver restaurants who have made me feel quite confident that we can make this work.

This forum has been a invaluable resource for me and I am grateful for all of the support.

traveller69

Judy I know what you mean! Goldendoodles are gorgeous and so lovable. WE have a black and tan mini doxie and its the same thing - she's so friendly we meet a lot of people that we never would have. WE never go anywhere without her and make our plans accordingly. As I said in my earlier post we have given up cruising which we love just because I can't leave her and we do have LOTS of friends who volunteer to take her. Enjoy your visit to Victoria - it will all work out I am sure.