Travels with Sophie: Dog-Friendly Sanibel

Hi. I’m Sophie the Wonder Dog.

I like to get my people out of the house once in a while. The back yard is great and all, but there’s a big world to sniff.

Normally, what I do is have them put on my “sass”—I’m wearing my pink sass for this trip. And when they say “Load up,” it means they’re ready to go.

From what I understand, other dogs also like to get their people out there once in a while. And if those dogs are like me, they’re all about fun, so they might like to hear about our adventures. Maybe it will inspire them to take their people on some new adventures of their own.

Dog House Away from Home

All I can say is: Sanibel's Tropical Winds=Fantastic. Probably the only dog-friendly accommodations right on the beach. The grounds offered plenty to sniff, if you know what I mean—several other canine guests were staying there too.

The bed was great for afternoon napping and the terrazzo floor cooled my tummy after a hard morning of romping through the waves.

The Glorious Seashore

I couldn’t get enough. I mean, that’s why you go to Sanibel, am I right?

I’m a water dog by nature and I’m totally addicted to tennis balls.

What more is there to say?

Doggie Dining

Lots of restaurants on Sanibel invite people to bring their canine companions. Actually, Sanibel is a very dog-friendly destination—as long as owners are responsible and make sure to be respectful of the wildlife and conservation issues—no chasing birds over the delicate sand dunes, in other words (and I’m a bird dog!). We have to stay on a leash at all times (except when I’m treading water after those tennis balls) but it’s worth it to feel welcome in such a beautiful place.

So—at Sanibel's Island Cow, I sniffed everyone’s table along the way to ours. The guy brought me a bowl of water. Thanks, chump. He could have at least thrown me a bone, huh? The shrimp and grits looked like a nasty bowl of gravy—she sent it back and ordered red beans and rice, but I would have eaten it. Just sayin’.

Sightseeing

The Sanibel Lighthouse offers several sniffing trails and is adjacent to a nice little beach. I was ready to jump in, but they wouldn’t let me. Said something about “next time,” which I don’t even know what that means. (Usually they say stuff like they’ll be “back in five minutes.” And sure enough, there they are.)

But the sniffing was good anyway.

Sophie Snacks

You gotta love a place like Pinocchio's Ice Cream that gives us four-legged customers a complimentary “puppy cup” of vanilla soft serve. And a liberal sprinkling of unabashed adoration. That’s what I really love.

I’m looking forward to our next big adventure, which will probably be in about five minutes.