Palm Beach Pups

In Palm Beach, dogs rule the roost. From posh “resorts” and gourmet meals, to dog friendly beaches and acres of dog parks, Palm Beach County is, paws down, a dog friendly kind of town. Here, we take a look at some of those puppy-themed spots to bring your four-legged family member.

In a town like Palm Beach, one thing is a given: pampering, from salon and spa treatments to relaxing luxury resorts, is engrained in the beach lifestyle. And your dog is no exception. Posh Pet Hotel, located in downtown West Palm Beach, is an ode to puppy pampering. The cage-free pet boarding house offers 103 custom rooms for that pampered pup or cat, each designed for a “safe, fun, and relaxing stay.” From the 100-square-foot Posh Presidential suite for Fido (below), to private two-story suites with four-tiered cat condos for Mittens, PPH will take the worry out of traveling without your precious pet, knowing they are in good hands back home.

The Posh Pet Hotel’s Presidential Suite – Courtesy of Posh Pet Hotel

   Need a place to board during the day? PPH has the downtown work-a-day crowd set with Posh Daycare. Why leave your pup at home when it can party with others in the 4,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor play area (equipped with rubber padding indoors and Cesar Millan’s Easy Turf outdoors to ease those puppy joints). With safety in mind, dogs are separated by size and temperament, with puppies having their own area, and are supervised at all times to ensure no scraps ensue.

   If that dog needs a wash, PPH, again, has you covered. A full menu of spa and grooming services are offered, giving that pup the perfect look for a date at the dog park.

Indoor doggie daycare fun at Posh Pet Hotel – Courtesy of Posh Pet Hotel

   For those looking for a total body and mind experience for your pet, PPH’s Zen Wellness experience offers an array of holistic medicine administered by Michaele Teston. From acupuncture to aquapuncture, massage, cold laser, and Chinese therapies, to therasage, whatever may ail your pet, there is a noninvasive remedy to cure.

• All rooms include purified air and water, ample walks and play time, and the premises is staffed 24 hours a day. For more information, visit poshpethotel.com.

Doggie Snacks

When it comes to four-legged snacking, go with Monkey Bones from The Sugar Monkey ($7-$12). These all natural treats are made with “people” ingredients (whole wheat flour, chicken stock, pumpkin, oats, peanut butter, coconut oil, rice, molasses, milk and cinnamon) without a preservative found in the bunch, making for some of the healthiest and tastiest dog treats around.

Dog-Friendly Dining

Bringing your pup along for a bite to eat is always fun, as long as the eatery in question caters to the four-legged. Here’s a few of our favorite doggie-friendly spots to dine:

North County | The Thirsty Turtle Seagrill

For the beach-going set, Juno Beach’s Thirsty Turtle is an institution. A surf session is just not complete without a pitcher and wings from the Turtle afterwards, which means this is a sandy feet kind of place. And the back patio is more than accommodating to dogs. Just be sure to have them leashed and Fido will find the accommodations—not to mention a few table scraps—just right.

Central County | Darbster

The vegan bistro in West Palm Beach is not just a haven for health conscious eaters, but its waterside deck is the central county dog diner. So dedicated to animals, owners Allen and Ellen formed the Darbster Foundation, which benefits from proceeds from the restaurant to assist in animal welfare and animal rights efforts through “education, charitable contributions, and direct sponsoring of animal care such as spaying and neutering.”

   As for dog friendly dining, on Sundays, if you bring your four-legged friend from 5-7 p.m., guests receive 20 percent off your entrée. These people love dogs folks; the place is even named after the owners’ dog, Darby.

• If you dig brunch, head to the Darbster on July 11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for Bark and Brunch. Admission costs $30, and guests are encouraged to B.Y.O.D. (bring your own dog) in summer-themed costumes for a chance to win some doggie prizes. Proceeds of Bark and Brunch will benefit Genesis Assistance Dogs. Seating is limited, reserve a spot for your and your pooch by calling 561-586-2622.

South County | Boca Breakfast & Lunch Club

For more than 20 years, the Boca Breakfast & Lunch Club has been South County’s go-to doggie dining locale. Located at Royal Palm Place, the brightly hued umbrellas on the patio always has a cold bowl of water for your pooch, and a biscuit or two, too. And the food, well, lets just say the breakfast-all-day is my kind of place.

 

Dog Parks

For Palm Beachers who share their home with a dog, but don’t have a sprawling backyard to let the dogs run free, head to one of these Palm Beach County-run dog parks.

Pooch Pines | West Palm Beach

Located at Okeeheelee Park, Pooch Pines is a great place to let your dog run and play. Equipped with two large dog sections (opening on a rotation for maintenance), and one small dog play area, the park includes a paved dog wash station, “Fido fountains” for drinking, restrooms (and plenty of doggie bags for your pet), shaded sitting areas and benches, and peace of mind that your dog is playing in a safe, well-maintained facility. Open sunrise to sunset seven days a week; closed 12-3 p.m. on Wednesdays for maintenance.

Lake Ida Dog Park | Delray Beach

Much like West Palm’s Pooch Pines, Lake Ida boasts two large dog play areas, and one small dog area, allowing like-sized dogs run and play. If your dog happens to find a muddy spot, no worries, a paved was area will help clean them up, while “Fido fountains” will keep them hydrated and happy. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week; close for maintenance on Thursdays, 12-3 p.m.

Canine Cove | Boca Raton

Join the dog party at this Boca hot spot. Two large dog, one small dog area give the pups plenty of space to play, while three gazebos and 34 shaded benches give the humans a place to mingle and show-off pics from their dog’s last birthday party.

• For dog park rules and directions to these county-run spots, visit pbcgov.com/parks/amenities/dogparks.

Baseball & Barks

Take the dog to the ballpark. Enjoy the national pastime at Jupiter’s Roger Dean Stadium this summer with Fido. On select Saturdays throughout the Florida State League Season (click here for more on that), Dog Days of Summer events lets fans bring their dog to the stadium. Enjoy an afternoon of baseball, beer, hot dogs, and dogs—it’s a can’t miss. The Pooch Pass costs $5, and includes free Frosty paws to keep those pups cool.

• The next Dog Days of Summer game is July 25 (6:35 p.m. first pitch), pitting the Lakeland Flying Tigers against the home team Palm Beach Cardinals. Tickets cost $10.

Beach Dog

Though your dog might love playing in the surf, there is only one Palm Beach County-run beach that allows those canines to run free—with a leash of course—and that’s Jupiter’s Ocean Cay Park. Located just north of the Juno Beach Pier on Marcinski Road, designated areas allow folks to bring their dog and let them enjoy the beach too. But a few things you should know before you go:

• Leashes are a must, not just for the safety of beachgoers, but your dog as well. There tend to be a lot of dogs roaming these parts, and some of them are not as even-tempered as yours.
• Bring plenty of fresh water for your pup. Dogs do not sweat to regulate their body temperature; they pant, which is not exactly the most efficient way of doing things. So when at the beach, it’s important to give your dog plenty of water to keep them cool.
• Try creating a doggie shelter. My go-to setup is a towel, two sticks to prop up one end, and a shallow hole beneath. It makes for a cool, shady area for you dog to rest. Just be sure to fill in that hole before you leave; it’s not just a hazard for other beachgoers, but can be life threatening to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
• And on the sea turtle front, be vigilant that your dog does not disturb any nests. With their keen sense of smell, sniffing out a sea turtle nest is super easy for Fido. But if they are to disturb a nest, temperature shifts could kill the eggs, or make it easier for predators like raccoons or foxes to find the eggs easier.
• Clean up after your dog! Nature calls, we all get it, but that does not mean kicking a little beach sand over the mess consists of dealing with it. And don’t think that if they relieve themselves in the seaweed, no harm to foul. There are dog bags at every beach access point, so there is no excuse for leaving that mess.
• Keep your dogs out of the dunes. These are precarious habitats, and home to an array of animals that find dogs, well, aggressive. Its in yours and natures best interest to keep them close by—skunks tend to live in and around the dune areas; a spooked skunk equals a big mess, not to mention a stink.