PetZet

Portland, Oregon just could be the most pet-friendly city in America.  (And it’s pretty terrific for humans too!)

The riverfront is a great place to cool your paws and check out the local Sheila color, if you catch my drift.  And if you’re still feelin' frisky, there are more than 70 miles of pet friendly hiking trails in the 5,100-acre Forest Park just west of downtown.

Other terrific dog friendly destinations are The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, a beautiful and serene Catholic shrine and The Grotto, a 62-acre botanical garden, which holds the Blessing of the Animals on the third Sunday of each month. Just remember to take your leash.

And have we mentioned services?  This place is crazy for us. There are hundreds of day cares, dog sitters, vets, trainers, bakeries, photographers, groomers and boutiques throughout the city.  Dig a little deeper and you’ll find nutritionists, holistic medicine practitioners, pooper scoopers (the people kind) funeral homes, attorneys (really) massage therapists, acupuncturists and not one, not two, but six pet psychics, one of whom is kept on retainer at the Hotel Monaco.

Are you catchin’ my drift, my four-legged friends?  This place is a ripper start to finish!

Weather

Portland is wet and cool throughout the winter with cool damp spring times (so tell your human to pack your boots). Summers are sunny and the weather is mostly mild.  However July & August can experience heat waves of over 100 degrees.  If possible, we recommend traveling in the fall when the weather is dry, mild and totally comfortable for all that activity on the trails.

While I'm cruising Portland, me, myself and I are takin’ it to my ole friend Rob DeBorde’s house to celebrate the publication of his new book,  Portlandtown: A Tale of the Oregon Wyldes. In his book, Rob’s toyin’ with the supernatural (I hear that’s not that unusual in Portland) and it’s filled with 19th century booksellers, undead outlaws and zombies in the rain (are zobies that different when they’s dry?)

Rob’s book is a great Christmas gift and perfect read for cold winter nights in front of the fire!  Order it here…and as our own Puzzi would say, “a purrr-fect time to cuddle up to one scary read.  Oui!”

If you are not fortunate enough to have great friends like Rob in Portland, here are some places that will welcome you with open arms!

Accommodations

All take both dogs and cats for various pet fees. Don’t forget to check it out before you check in as policies can change without notice.

Vintage Plaza A Kimpton Hotel – NO PET FEES or weight restriction or number of pets per room.  They offer pet packages including food, dog walking services & chew toys.  PS-don’t miss Georgie, a curly faced Havanese who is the newly appointed Director of Pet Relations.

Monaco Kimpton– no fees, weight restriction or number of pets per room.  Same pet package as Vintage

The Mark Spencer Hotel –2 pet limit per room with fee

Ace Hotel Portland – no fees but limit of 2 dogs

The Paramount A Coast Hotel – dogs under 50 lbs allowed with fee

The Benson Hotel – one pet any size is welcome for a fee

Hotel Lucia – 2 dogs 60 lbs or less for a fee

Jupiter Hotel – 2 pets allowed for a fee

Briarwood Suites – up to 3 dogs with fee

Shilo Inn Portland Rose Garden – 2 dogs any size for a fee

Park Lane Suites – up to 3 dogs under 20 lbs. for a fee – no cats.

Hotel Deluxe – 2 dogs any size for a fee

The Heathman Hotel – 2 pets 50 lbs combined weight for a fee

Oxford Suites - Portland – 2 dogs any size for a fee
 

Standard Hotels

There are multiple locations of these chain accommodations.

Events

Rose City Classic Dog Show takes place annually in January.  This year the show will be from January 16th - 20th.  The best days for spectators are Thursday through Saturday.  For more information go to rosecityclassic.org

International Cat Show and Food Drive also takes place January on the 25th through the 27th.  FOr all of the information about this event go to tncc.org

The 12th annual Pug Crawl was held May 2012 with the Pug Nation theme,

“A Better Pug for a Better America! “ (it is an election year, after all). 

This is one of the largest gatherings of pugs in the world, attracting an estimated 500 pugs and over 1,000 humans.  The event benefits the Oregon Humane Society.  Boodapug sent their representative Chloe, an 11 year old Portland pug who told pet-zet, “Whether you like to dress up or dog watch, the Pug Crawl is THE place to be in Portland if you are a pug. Fun people, tons of friendly pugs, and tasty treats for all. Boodapug is a pug lovin' group of people who share their passion and stories of their fun lovin' pugs.  They provided these great pics from Pug Crawl 2011.  Thanks Boodapug!   We'll be watching for information on the 2013 Pug Crawl!

For the latest info on what’s happening around town, check out the Oregonian Newspaper or Oregonlive.com while you’re in town.  Each has a feature column for Oregon Pets with stories, tips and adoptions.  Local network KGW also features a Pet of the Day.

Restaurants

Take a look at this outstanding list of pet friendly restaurants! A little something for every taste...(in alphabetical order)

21st Avenue Bar & Grill -  extremely dog friendly, great bar food and beer

23 Hoyt – cool and chic restaurant with innovative food and dog friendly seating

50 Plates – “unexpected delight” with fabulous food and exquisite cocktails

Acadia – creole and cajun cuisine including delicious jambalya.  Dog friendly staff

Alleyway Cafe & Bar – always bustling with activity (nothing about the food) but dog friendly!

Amnesia Brewing – Brew pub and great food.  Dog friendly

Anna Bannanas – top notch coffee shop with wi-fi, subtle music extended hours and pet friendly seating

Berlin Inn Restaurant & Bakery – delicious taste of Germany and dog friendly

Bluehour – New American and Mediterranean food with a twist.  Water bowls available for fido

Cafe Castagna – blends French and Italian style cuisines in an austere, modern environment.  Sophisticated wines and for the people water bowls for the pooches

Caffe Mingo – Italian food using the freshest ingredients. Quench your thirst with a cocktail and the pooch’s with a water bowl

Carafe – French Bistro offering upscale dining that’s not too pricy. Bring your pup for a “real Parisian experience”

Che' Cafe – Dog friendly even indoors.  Have their own brand of doggie treats

Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar- top quality comfort food, brunch is a specialty and bring the dog

Crackerjacks Pub & Eatery – Diner food, free pool table , friendly staff and dog friendly seating

Cupcake Jones – Cupcakery that is enthusiastic about helping the community – had doggie cupcakes too!

Daily Grill – classic American Cuisine with dog friendly seating

Elephants Delicatessen – Tasty sandwiches that can be enjoyed next to your pooch on the patio

Equinox Restaurant – seasonal menu with local ingredients in a casual environment where pets are welcome

Fire on the Mountain – to die for chicken wings and delicious desserts (fried twinkies!!)  Dog friendly too

Florida Room – a local favorite with great drinks good jukebox, photobooth and lots of outdoor seating for you and the dog

Giorgios – cozy and delicious Italian cuisine.  A great place to lounge with your dog

Heathmans Restaurant and Bar – the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal on the patio with your dog

Hedge House – great beer and nachos with kid and dog friendly patio

Henry's 12th Street Tavern – Great beer and good food.  Bring the dog!

Island Cafe – right on the water offering a little piece of the tropics for you and your dog

Jim & Patty's Coffee – welcomes the 4 legged friends and offers tasty drinks and eats

Kenny & Zukes – deli making fresh and “snappy” HUGE sandwiches. Bring the dog and expect to leave with a doggy bag

Laughing Planet Cafe – Mexican and vegetarian fare in a human and dog friendly atmosphere

Laurelwood Brewing Co – Brewery with dog friendly roof deck

Lucky Lab Brewery – Micro brewery and eatery w/dog friendly seating

Navarre –Fresh International food with a great wine selection, appetizers and desserts

New Deal Cafe – Breakfast and brunch with a dog friendly patio

New Old Lompoc – good food at a reasonable price and dog friendly

Nostrana – smells of wood fire ovens and true Italian pizza and pasta…one of Portland’s best.  Bring fido!

Oaks Bottom Public House – top notch “pub grub” plus a wide variety of beer.  Check the mailbox out front for doggie treats!

Olive or Twist – martini (and regular) bar with dog friendly patio

Papa Haydn – eclectic cuisine and “devilish desserts”.  Great lunch and brunch spot for you and your dog

Park Kitchen – Neighborhood restaurant with a tasty classic menu including small plates.  Water bowls available for the dogs.

Piazza Italia – hearty Italian made with freshly made noodles. Friendly and fun for you and and your pup

Picazzo's Gourmet Pizza and Salads – relaxed neighborhood pizzeria with gourmet pizza including a gluten free offering.  Very dog friendly

Pizza Schmizza – gourmet slices and a walk up window makes it easy to bring the dog

Podnah's Pit Barbecue – succulent BBQ and water bowls for the pups

Por Que No – Fine Mexican and dog friendly too!

Roadside Attraction – the Dog friendly patio feel more like hanging out at a friend’s back yard with swings and picnic tables

Saucebox – Pan-Asian with a great selection of spirits, noodles and unique dishes.  Dogs welcome

Seres Restaurant – Chinese Sichuan with a flare.  Offering lunch and dinner and a dog friendly patio

Siam Society – great Thai, consistant and yummy keeps the regulars coming back with their dogs

Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar – high quality fresh seafood with great outdoor dining!

Tin Shed Garden Café – great food and always crowded.  They have a dog menu and when you put your name on the list they ask how many people and how many dogs!

Well, mates, I’d say this list will keep your tail waggin’ and your paws trottin’ all over town. 

Enjoy Portland!