On the Run With Man’s Best Friend
In “Happy Tails Across New Jersey: Things to See and Do with your Dog,” author Diane Goodspeed suggests adventures in every season, in every part of the state, for families who like to bring the family pet on their adventures.
Organized by county for easy reference, and including more than two dozen maps, this 240-page paperback offers canine-oriented details on outdoor facilities (parks, dog runs, and more), fairs, festivals, and dog-friendly shops (Rutgers University Press, 2006, $16.95).
The “Dog Day Out” section takes leash holders beyond the usual parks and dog runs into some intriguing sightseeing spots. For instance, at the Edison Memorial Tower in Menlo Park, you and your dog can tread the dirt path where Edison walked when he was thinking about a problem. Washington Crossing State Park is dog friendly, and even has locations for doggie swims in the Delaware River.
Sniff out doggy events using the county-by-county calendar. August events include the cosmetics firm, L’Oreal, staging a doggy day in Cranbury, complete with beauty contests, a hay maze, agility training and, yes, a dog wash. The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture invites dogs on one Saturday in August. On Sundays, November 4 and 11, tracking competitions are being held in Hunterdon County (www.lenapetrackingclub.org), but leave your non-competing dog at home.
Goodspeed laces her doggie tourguide with intriguing bits, such as the black dog legend from Burlington that got picked up by Robert Louis Stevenson for “Treasure Island” and a low-salt Pooch Trail Mix, consisting of Cheerios, Rice Chex, dry gravy mix, bacon, shredded wheat, butter, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni dog treats, baked until crisp. Woof!
