#TravelsWithOllie

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#TravelsWithOllie: Maine Beer Trail

Since we spent David’s birthday driving I-95 North to begin our Maine vacation, I decided to make it up to him by spending a day touring the #MaineBeerTrail. Our friends, Randi and Chris, were our epic guides and welcomed Ollie along for the expedition. The plan was simple: start in Freeport and see where the day takes us.

We started with lunch and pilgrimage to the giant L.L. Bean boot then headed to the Maine Beer Company. The boys tasted, the girls visited and Ollie attempted to glean pizza bones from our neighbors (he was semi-successful). Beer favorites ended up being “Peeper,” “Woods & Waters” and “Dinner.” When we found out the brewery partners with a number of local conservation groups and they’re big into cycling, we were hooked.

Next up was Flight Deck Brewery in Brunswick. In keeping with the conservation theme, the brewery is 100% run on renewable energy. Adding to their cool factor is their location – the redeveloped Brunswick Naval Air Station and the tasting room which was once a Small Arms Range. So yeah, the tasting room is bullet-proof, cool. Their beers were awesome and the warm soft pretzels were the perfect afternoon snack. Ollie met his new best friend, an 8-month old terrier twice his size. They played a for awhile out on the lawn before Ollie decided it was nap time. 

Now it was decision time. Do we head further east on Route 1 or back to the Portland to visit any number of fine breweries in the Old Port? My friend Jess was throwing pizzas (Uproot Pie Company) at Oxbow Brewery in Newcastle that night so dreams of wood-fired pizza made the decision for us…we headed east for Oxbow.

We ate our glorious pizzas, the boys enjoyed a few IPA’s and as the mosquitos began to overtake the dog-friendly picnic tables we decided to call it a day. Ollie passed out in the car on the way home, with a belly full of pizza bones. 

Most of the breweries along the Maine Beer Trail are dog-friendly, especially in the summer when patio weather is at its best. If they don’t specify as such on their website, it’s a good idea to call first. 

Huge thanks to Miss Randi for acting as our designated driver for the day and to Chris for pointing us to some great establishments! Cheers!

[adogphotographer]

#TravelsWithOllie: Sun Safety

It’s prime road trip season—we’re headed out soon for another #MaineAdventure with the pups—so we’re educating ourselves on doggie sun care. Dogs—especially light colored, short haired pups—are susceptible to sun damage  and can get skin cancer. Even long-haired dogs can get too much exposure on some parts of their bodies like their nose. So let’s talk about how to protect our precious pups from those no good UV rays.  

Exposure: Keep your pups inside during the hours between 10am-3pm when UV rays are at their most intense. Providing ample shade and plenty of water for them during those hours is important if you have to be out and about. 

Sunscreen: Yes, there are dog-specific sunscreen products available at most pet stores and online. It’s a good idea to test out the sunscreen on a small spot before applying it to your pup. Some dogs may have a reaction to certain types. Also, apply with care around their face, especially near their eyes. 

You can use kid-safe, fragrance + zinc-free human sunscreens as well but you’re better off getting on made specifically for dogs. Natural sunscreens containing zinc oxide are great for people but TOXIC for dogs so be sure to read labels carefully. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), another common ingredient in human sunscreens, is also toxic to dogs so use caution.  

Check ‘em out: Regular skin checks are important in your pup’s care. Melanomas from sun exposure can pop up anywhere, even their nose. Watch for the signs and take them to the vet if anything looks suspicious. 

So keep in mind that if you’re burning, they probably are as well. Simple as that. You may not be able to see the effects of sun exposure underneath your pup’s hair but it can build up over time. We noticed Ollie has a few extra freckles and dark spots on his underbelly and legs this summer. Looks like we’ll need to up our game when it comes to exposure because this dog LOVES his summer fun. 

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#TravelsWithOllie: Turkey Run Park Loop

Ollie has been feeling pretty neglected this past week so I decided to take a long lunch yesterday for some special time. Wanting to try a new place, we headed to Turkey Run Park on the George Washington Parkway just outside of DC.

The park has a bunch of picnic areas, restrooms and a dog-friendly loop trail. The trail takes you down through the Gorge and along the Potomac River where it meets up with the Potomac Heritage Trail. It’s amazing how quiet it was considering its proximity to DC. The hike was an easy 3 miles and we had the trail to ourselves – probably because everyone in DC was watching the Comey testimony. 

Ollie spent his walk marking as many spots as possible, eating grass and searching for squirrels. I enjoyed the fresh air and spent my time brainstorming ideas for upcoming projects. It was perfect. We both left feeling much more peaceful.

Have a great weekend, all!