BAYVIEW DOG PARK & BEACH, PENSACOLA Spot will bark with joy when he explores the grassy and fenced in one-acre dog park at 2001 East Lloyd Street. Humans and pups alike love jumping in the surf at the Bayou Texar Inlet. You can relax under the shade of a covered picnic area, and you’ll find water bowls, poop bags, trash cans and showers for four- and two-legged visitors. (cityofpensacola.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Bayview-Park-21) m l
Editor’s Note: Lisa Carruthers and her husband Mark have lived on their trawler TAPESTRY full time for almost seven years. For the first three years, their wonderful beagle Harvey shared their adventure. This article is dedicated to his memory.
Spearfish
To view this article online, visit marinalife.com/FLDogBeaches
New Smyrna Beach
Safety Tips for Traveling with your Pet Before heading out to enjoy a day at the beach with your first canine mate, it’s wise to plan ahead and ensure everyone’s safety and fun:
Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date and have the vaccine information with you, because it’s required for entry to some dog parks. And bring along all of Fido’s medications for illness or injury. Paw pads can burn quickly on hot sand or pavement. If your hand can’t handle the heat for 30 seconds, it’s too hot for a dog to walk on. Don’t forget that dogs sunburn, especially ones with short hair, white fur and pink skin. Limit a dog’s exposure and apply sunblock to the ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside. To ensure that dogs don’t overheat in hot conditions, have cold water available almost constantly. Provide shade where your dog can rest and cool down your pup with a hose or shower while at the beach. Never leave dogs alone in the car or closed boat, as they heat up rapidly and could suffer from heat stroke.
Use a properly fitting personal flotation device for your dog. Even though most dogs are competent swimmers, they will lack endurance to stay afloat for longer than 20 minutes, even if uninjured. Rescue could take much longer than that. Don’t let your dog drink sea water. Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage a dog’s coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day. At the ocean, be careful of strong tides and keep track of rip currents. Never leave your dog unattended in water. In case somebody strays away, be sure your dog’s tag includes her name, and your name and mobile number. Also consider microchipping to help get your dog back. You can arrange this through your veterinarian, but insist they include your mobile phone number if your pup gets lost while you’re away from home.
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