Caitlin

Member since September 2021

Reviews (2)

Wonderful way to start the day!

My pup and I started the day with a (very early!) sunrise cruise around the bay on the mailboat. I honestly was not sure what to expect since he is typically easily stressed out and afraid of a lot of new things, but he was completely fine! The night before we went and had a delightful dinner outside on the Flatbread Company’s patio that overlooks the water and is next to the boats (also highly recommend - excellent service, food, and location!). Not sure if dining out helped, but he could see the boats and hear the horn when one departed. If you’re also unsure about boats with your furry friend I’d recommend the sunrise cruise. It’s a larger boat and since the sun isn’t up yet there’s not much wind, the water is calm, and you start out in darkness so there aren’t as many things to see and worry about. The ride is very slow and gentle and there aren’t many other types of watercraft out and about between 5-7:30 AM except the occasional fishing boat. When we got onboard there were maybe 2 people sitting downstairs and one other person with a dog on the main level so we pretty much had the the boat all to ourselves. On the return trip the boat started picking up passengers and it got a bit more crowded on the last stop, but we were almost back to the mainland by then. I’d recommend following a tip given to me by one of their employees — start out indoors when the boat departs because that’s when the horn blasts the loudest, but once you start moving you’ll probably be ok. His collapsible silicone water dish held up well and didn’t slide on the deck and the packable camping bed with nylon bottom turned out to be a very good idea because the deck surface was wet from early morning mist and/or sea spray and cold. He seemed to really enjoy sitting and laying on his bed during the ride, having a spot to relax and watch the water and birds go by. Go! You won’t regret it.

Sep. 08, 2021

Very pet friendly, but rather touristy

Portland Head Light

Visiting this iconic lighthouse is definitely something for everyone’s bucket list. It’s a very pretty sight, completely dog friendly, and there are different options for paths and places where you can take a picture or have a picnic. However, if you’re planning to go don’t be caught off guard like we were — the park is spread out with different options for parking. Follow the signs to park closer to the lighthouse and you’ll also be near some of the very few shady spots where you can sit and cool off. Even on a 72 degree(ish) day it got to be really warm in the sun and limited the options for what we could do. The cliff walk is nice for walking next to the ocean and seeing another side of the lighthouse, but it’s not suitable for older dogs, dogs with joint or medical issues, or any human companion who has trouble walking up and down hills and on gravel/ uneven slightly rocky terrain. We finally found some amazing shade and one bench near the Goddard Mansion and hung out there for quite a while to cool down before heading back into the car. Don’t forget lots of water! For human companions — there are port-o-potties near all of the parking areas (possibly some inside the lighthouse museum, but we didn’t go in there) and all parking is paid using a kiosk via credit card only. You also have to enter your license plate # which helps if you want to change lots to go see something else.