A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

City Dog Goes to Florida: A Gulf Coast Vacation

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Hey pups, it’s Ella, back from the dead to recount my recent escapades. Mom and Dad always claim they’re traveling “for work” (hmmm…), so I insisted they take a few days off and take me somewhere for a change. And where is more friendly to my kind—dogs, the superior race, I of course mean—than our southern neighbor of Florida?

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Mom’s been going to the Gulf Coast for much of her life, but to date, she’d only taken me one other time before. To which I say: HOW RUDE! I was born for this life.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Some ridiculously sweet humans let us crash in their house for the week, and it was just what the vet ordered: relaxing, chill, no itinerary—the polar opposite of how Mom usually vacations!

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Florida is totally my speed, btw: Plenty of space to run, no rules, no squirrels to taunt to me, no mailmen to guard the house against—just me and the sand (and OK, a few thousand birds to terrorize).
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

We were there in mid-November, which could be chilly on some days. On the mornings it was too cold and windy to spend outdoors, we lazed around the house doing my favorite activity: napping.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Life’s a beach, but sometimes a girl just needs a nap.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

And sometimes a girl needs a beer. We found one sweet brewery that allows my kind inside: Grayton Brewing Co. The humans who run it are pretty swell and, bonus: The beer is really doggone good, too!

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

How do I know? Well. While Mom said I was too young to sample the libations—whatever, I’m 52.5 in dog years!—Dad gave me a sip of his gose (which is why he’s obviously my favorite parent). We liked it so much, we even came back a second day to fill up our growlers for the road!

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

We decided to drive to Florida so we could take my paddleboards (I only let Mom and Dad borrow them) down with us and spend the afternoons skimming the top of that placid water. I think the water there might even be calmer than my lake domain back in Tennessee.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Did you know there are devils in Florida (and to think, I always thought they lived down in Georgia…)? If you take a peek at the video I worked my tail off filming for you all, you may even spot them!

Man! Life’s good.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

The people of Florida were even so thoughtful as to vacate the state for the week to ensure we had it all to ourselves. Floridians, you sure are an obliging bunch (for humans, that is).

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Mom promised to log off of social media for the week—BIG FAIL; speaking of which (shameless plug!), are you following MY new Instagram, @BustedPuppy?!—and Dad planned to read a lot of books. Neither of those things happened, but I made sure they focused on the important matter at hand, and that was that logged plenty of beach time.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

In fact, the beaches of Florida are my natural camouflage—who knew? (Well, I would have had I been brought to this magical Gulf Coast place earlier! Harumph.)

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Our trip was all too quick; before I knew it, we were packing up the Jeep and headed down to Orlando for the holidays at Universal.

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

We’ll be seeing you again real soon, Florida, if I have anything to say about it (and let’s be honest, I wear the pants in this family!)

A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida

Pup out,

Ella

Looking for other trip ideas to Florida? I’ve got a few:


 

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A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
A Pet-Friendly Vacation to Florida
COMMENTS
  • December 16, 2017

    This is very timely, Ella, since we’ve been coming closer and closer to taking the plunge and bringing our dog on a vacation or two. You make it seem easy and fun! 🙂

  • December 21, 2017

    I love you Ella! That’s all I have to say!

  • December 26, 2017

    Looks like a seriously fantastic dog-driven adventure!

  • March 12, 2020

    How adorable is your city dog?! Seriously…one photogenic pup!

  • March 16, 2020

    Oh my goodness, Ella is having the time of her life in Florida. I feel bad for my dog now, we don’t take him anywhere!

  • April 9, 2021
    Kathy Roeber

    My husband and I were just in Florida January-April 3. We stayed in Destin & FWB. We did take a couple day trips to Seaside. We have a 13# Poochon.
    Wondering where ya stayed & whic beach they let your cute dog on?
    Thanx,
    Kathy

    • April 12, 2021

      Hi Kathy!

      We stayed at a private house, but I know Carillon Beach Resort Inn is pet-friendly (as are many of the house rentals in the area). Pet-friendly public beaches are Shell Island and Dog Beach (the beach by Pier Park, west of the pier). I highly recommend both!

  • January 7, 2023
    Kim Ledbetter Price

    Awesome write up! I totally agree with you about winter being an ideal time to hit the beach. Your photos are gorgeous.

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