Pet-Friendly Fun
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County has long been recognized as a pet-friendly destination. Many a pet lover has strolled through Annapolis’s Historic District on a balmy summer’s evening just to catch a glimpse of the many dogs who are accompanying their owners to dinner at popular outside eateries. Below are just a few of the attractions, properties, and services that help to make our destination a pet lover’s delight.
Annapolis Accommodations has many pet friendly properties that are available year-round. 410-263-3262.
Annapolis Royal Folly Bed and Breakfast offers a pet friendly suite for non-shedding dogs who weigh less than 20 pounds. Mistress Erika’s room features a private entrance off of a shade garden. The bed and breakfast offers a “Doggie’s Luxury Getaway” weekend that includes a welcome basket with treats and a toy, a bottle of champagne for the parents, a $25 gift certificate to Paws Pet Boutique on State Circle, full gourmet breakfast each morning, and an Annapolis Bed and Breakfast cookbook. 410-263-3999.
The Annapolis Running Shop at 172 Main Street allows all dogs. It even has a dog on staff, Gordy, the rescued Weimaraner. The store’s racing team donates money monthly to the Weimaraner rescue and the SPCA. 410-263-0010.
Annapolis Small Boat Rentals believes that humans need to share the fun of getting out on the water. They invite customers to bring their pets along when they em-BARK on a cruise of the Annapolis Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay in a rental motor boat from their fleet of 17’ to 20’ boats. They provide water bowls, a comfortable bow seat, and, for water-experienced pets, a swim in the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis Small Boat Rentals offers half-day and full-day boat rentals to families of up to eight people. 410-268-BOAT (2628).
Diva Boutique welcomes well-trained pets to accompany their owners on shopping excursions. 410-280-9195.
Easy Street Gallery welcomes pets. 410-263-5556.
Hampton Inn BWI has a Dog Lover’s Special that includes overnight accommodations, a Welcome Bag for Fido, and bottled water and snacks for his parents. 410-850-0600.
Loews Annapolis Hotel extends its hospitality to the leggiest members of the family through its Loews Loves Pets program. For a one-time $25 cleaning fee, guests can bring up to two pets of any weight with them on their travels. Upon arrival, VIP’s – very important pets – receive a welcome amenity that includes a Loews Loves Pets placemat and water bowl, bottle of Fiji water, room service pet menu, biscuits, and a door hanger that lets housekeeping know there is a pet in the room. Pet owners are also provided with a list of local pet sitting services which the hotel concierge can line up upon request.
Loews Annapolis has a resident “top dog.” Luke is a three-year-old Labrador retriever mix who was rescued from the local SPCA. He often helps “check in” guests from behind the front desk. Guests traveling with a pet receive a special welcome note from Luke that lets them know about local parks, specialty pet stores, and local vets. Guests who miss their own dogs are welcome to take Luke out for a walk during the day. 410-263-777.
Mary & Blanche! is a retail store that welcomes pets. A sign in the window states: “Dogs welcome. Cats too. Treats inside.” The owners leave a water bowl on the front stoop of the store year-round. 410-280-8891.
Nostalgia Cupcakes opened its specialty retail cupcake bakery and coffee shop on Main Street in February 2009. It offers a rotating collection of more than 20 beautifully decorated, fresh gourmet cupcakes plus specialty coffee, cookies, brownies and special-occasion cakes, all baked on site daily. They even have cupcakes for your dog. 410-280-0660.
Paws Pet Boutique on State Circle is a spot dogs tend to remember after only one visit. Furry visitors are welcomed with a fresh bowl of water out front and a biscuit as they enter the store. The smells from the gourmet bakery case, the squeaks of toys being tested, and the extra pats dogs receive during their visit make for memorable moments in many a canine's day. Paws Pet Boutique has been making tails wag since 1999. It actively supports animal causes and the community throughout the year. Paws was instrumental in establishing the first dog park in the area. In 2008, Paws Pet Boutique raised and donated $18,000 through its pet-friendly fundraiser events.
Upcoming events include Paws Pet Boutique’s annual “Crabtowne Canines” march in the July 4th parade. 2009 will be the 6th year a group of dog-lovers band together to heel along the parade route with their canine companions. A small fee is collected from participants to cover the cost of providing humans with matching t-shirts and pooches with patriotic bandanas. All remaining proceeds benefit Anne Arundel County’s SPCA for animals.
Paws Pet Boutique is partnering with Loews Annapolis Hotel for the 3rd year to present its “Canines & Cocktails for a Cause” series. The last Friday in April, May, June, July, August, and September well-behaved dogs and their people are invited to start their weekend with this event. From 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on the outside patio of Loews Hotel’s Weather Rail Restaurant, tails wag and people socialize. Each of the six evenings has a theme and a raffle, which supports the featured charity. Dogs are adopted, charities are recognized, and funds are raised during these fun, dog-friendly evenings.
This year’s themes include a Pirate Parade/Contest, Spring Paw Posies (paws dipped in paint create “posies” with the help of 2 local artists), Patriotic Pooch Parade/Contest, Canine Ice Cream Social, a night of the Best Dog Tricks, Paws Pet Boutique’s Fido Fashion Show. (Themes occur in this order April through September). Charitable causes that will benefit this year include the Anne Arundel County SPCA, Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training, Oldies but Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue, and Modest Needs. A portion of the beverage sales from each evening will be donated to the featured charity. Self-parking at the Loews is only $2 during the events.
Ben’s Cruise for Compassion is one of the most anticipated dog-friendly events each year in Annapolis. It benefits the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). 2009 marks the fourth year that Paws Pet Boutique has sponsored and organized a dog-friendly cruise on Watermark’s Harbor Queen. The three-hour cruise departs from the City Dock with dogs and their humans aboard. Music from the live band, Ben’s Bones, fills the air and a feast of finger foods is served aboard. A cash bar and silent auction round out the evening. A dance contest and other activities make it easy to meet new friends whether they have two feet or four paws.
Last year, $10,000 was raised for the national, non-profit group, ALDF. which gives animals a voice in the legal system. Ben, the honorary dog aboard, is one of many animals that ALDF has successfully rescued over the years. He was one of more than 325 dogs rescued in a puppy mill/hoarder case. Ben now has the difficult job of greeting customers, trying on coats, and testing treats at Paws Pet Boutique. Ben’s Cruise for Compassion is scheduled for September 2009. The exact date will be determined shortly.
Christmas in July brings local artist, Myra Copus, to Paws Pet Boutique for an afternoon of merriment. Myra paints glass holiday balls for Paws Pet Boutique, and this is an opportunity to meet the artist with your dog or cat. Any dog or cat breed can be painted, or owners can have their pets painted from a photo. Holiday balls can be personalized with names or years, if desired. Myra will paint some balls that day, while others can be ordered. Special pricing applies during the event. The date will be determined shortly.
The 2009 holiday season will bring new dog-friendly holiday cards to Paws Pet Boutique. Each year, Paws works with local artist, Rosemary Williams, to create a line of cards that are introduced in November during a “Meet the Artist” reception. These lighthearted cards are always well-received and can only be found at Paws Pet Boutique.
In keeping Paws Pet Boutique’s mission to make a difference, additional dog-friendly events are likely to surface as the year progresses. Details can be found on the Paws Pet Boutique Web site.
Baltimore Magazine’s January 2009 issue recognized Paws Pet Boutique as one of the Best Pet Boutiques in the area. Additionally, the store has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, The Capital, and Inside Annapolis. What’s Up? Annapolis Magazine readers have voted Paws Pet Boutique the best pet store for two years in a row. Comcast’s Your Morning on CN8 aired a Pet Fashion Show coordinated by Paws Pet Boutique two years ago. Locally owned and operated by an Annapolis couple, Paws Pet Boutique has made many tails wag over the last ten years. 410-263-8683.
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis offers a wide variety of dog-friendly activities. Visitors and their pets can walk, jog, or bike along six miles of paved trails winding through hardwood forests and past grassy fields; enjoy the vistas of the South River Promenade and Scenic Overlook; or picnic among 340 acres of beautiful park land.
Nestled between the South River and Harness Creek, Quiet Waters features Anne Arundel County’s first dog park with two large fenced areas for dogs to run off-leash. One open space is designated for large dogs and another is reserved for small or elderly dogs.
Long before the dog park fences went up, Quiet Waters was home to a dog beach. While people are not allowed to swim in the waters off the South River Promenade, dogs are encouraged to jump in and splash around in the small section of beach that stretches beyond the promenade.
Seasonally, the non-profit Friends of Quiet Waters Park hosts a variety of dog-friendly events, including a Howl-O-Ween Barking’ Bash. Individuals are invited to bring their dogs – costumed and coifed – and join in the fun. 410-222-1777.
Rams Head Tavern’s sidewalk seating on West Street in Annapolis is pet friendly. Dogs of all shapes and sizes hang out with their owners when the weather permits. 410-268-4545.
The Residences at Park Place is very pet friendly. It even has the only “Bark Place” dog park for its four-legged residents and their owners. There is talk that they might even begin to offer a “Yappy Hour.” Stay tuned...
Stan & Joe’s Saloon on West Street in Annapolis allows leashed dogs on its back patio. 410-263-1993.
State House Inn Bed and Breakfast allows guests to bring their well-behaved, house-broken, quiet dogs. Depending on the circumstances, the bed and breakfast sometimes allow cats. 410-990-0024.
Staybridge Suites BWI welcomes pets who weigh less than 80 pounds. Guests who stay one-to-six nights pay a one-time room cleaning fee of $75. Guests staying longer than that pay a one-time fee of $150. 410-850-5666.
Watermark Tours. Charters. Cruises. Pet owners can enjoy watching their dog's ears blow in the breeze as they cruise around the Annapolis Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. Guests learn about the area's history from 17th Century to present, while relaxing with their dogs aboard one of Watermark’s many dog-friendly public cruises or walking tours. Watermark’s Water taxi service around the Annapolis Harbor, Spa Creek, and Back Creek is also dog-friendly. Paws Pet Boutique will be holding its Cruise for Compassion aboard the Harbor Queen on September 18, 2009 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. The 4th annual fundraiser benefits the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund. 410-268-7601, ext. 102.
The Westin Annapolis Hotel offers a welcome kit with toys and treats; a custom heavenly pet bed, complete with food and water bowls; a pet-in-room door sign; and special treats at turndown for the dog. 410-972-4300.
Wild Bird Center of Annapolis. Some customers who frequent the store consider backyard birds their pets. They have named the frequent visitors to their backyards and follow their exploits. This seems to be particularly true for people who have the Eastern Bluebird in their yards. Wild Bird Center customers house them and feed them treats. The store is home to two cats, Rusty and Dixie. They are the chief bird-watchers. Several customers come in just to pet the cats. The store welcomes dogs on leashes and sells dog and cat toys – for its four-legged visitors. 410-280-1545.
