The beautiful Appalachian Mountains can be a fun and relaxing
vacation spot for every member of your family, even the four-legged
ones. Local businesses and tourist destinations make all kinds of
accommodations for our canine companions. Here are a few tips to keep
in mind to make sure you and your pet have a fun, safe stay in the
High Country.
Even dogs enjoy playing in the snow!
Photo by Rob Moore |
The Watauga Humane Society operates a dog park located along
Don Hayes Road, about four miles from Boone off Old Highway 421 South.
The dog park consists of about 3.5 acres of fenced land for dogs to
play and socialize. About half an acre of the park is fenced off for
small dogs.
Owners must stay with their dogs while at the park and no animals
besides dogs are allowed at the park. Aggressive dogs and female dogs
in heat are not allowed. Small, bite-sized training treats are permitted;
but food in bowls and long-lasting chews are not allowed.
The park is open every day from 6 a.m. to sundown. Day passes are
available for visitors to the area for $3, which covers 12 hours of
park access. In order to purchase a pass, owners must be able to show
proof of each dog’s current rabies vaccination.
Passes are on sale at the Watauga Humane Society shelter, located
at 200 Casey Lane in Boone, or at the Bare Bones Boutique thrift shop,
located on Old 421 near the dog park. The shelter is open Tuesday
through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from
12:30 to 5 p.m. Bare Bones Boutique is open Monday through Friday
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about the dog park visit the Humane Society online
at wataugahumanesociety.org or call (828) 264-7865.
Boone town law states that all dogs must remain on a leash
while your out and about. Your pet may be very well behaved and stay
by your side at home, but you don’t know how even a normally
well-behaved dog will act in an unfamiliar place. Plus, it’s
just good pet-owner etiquette.
The area has hundreds of miles of dog-friendly trails, but just because
you are outside of town limits, doesn’t mean it’s a good
idea to let Fido off his leash. It is safer for you, your pet and
any person or animal you come in contact with, to keep the leash on.
The same goes for when you are enjoying the Blue Ridge Parkway. The
Park Service has been known to implement $50 fines for not obeying
leash laws.
Story by Caroline Monday
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