Dog Friendly Provincetown

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In Search of Dog Friendly Places in Provincetown, MA

Hi, I’m Bodhi, a black lab mix (that’s a nice word for mutt).  In my 2-plus year career in being a dog, I’ve learned a lot about travel. I was pretty excited when my moms told me I was going to a dog-friendly beach in Provincetown, MA.  Not because I knew what a beach was (I’m a woods dog) but because the end of all that suitcase packing and car loading meant that I made the cut to go.  I wasn’t shipped off to the doggie day camp that happens when my moms go on a plane.

At first, we weren’t sure I’d be able to go.  They had found a few dog-friendly hotels in Provincetown but the places weren’t available.  Then we found this Air BnB that we all loved, but the description said they didn’t allow pets.  There were some family whispering about me staying home but I would have none of it.  I told them to just ask nicely if I could come.  So my mom wrote the Air BnB host and told them how wonderful I was.  I’d say I blushed but remember I’m a black dog.  The host said sure.  It was great because my moms love staying at Air BnBs. I do too!

The Town Beach

Finally, the drive was over and I could stop listening to those infuriating books on tape with the narrators with fake British accents.  We were going to get down to why we came here—those beaches.  We walked down to the Town beach.  Dogs are allowed off lease from 6-9 am and 6-9 pm on the town managed beaches.  But we scored the bonus because from November 2 to Memorial Day it was totally off-leash.  Party!! 

I took off to chase some seagulls as any dog worth his salt (water) would.  Oh, I forgot to tell you that we were in the middle of the biggest storm of the year.  It was raining sideways and blowing so hard I could hardly stand up.  I had wet sand all over my body.  I looked like I had a bad case of dandruff.  Not a good look for a black dog.

Dog Friendly Restaurants

Finally, we went back to the nice Air BnB and got ready to go to one of those dog-friendly restaurants.  My moms told me there were over 20 restaurants in P-town that would welcome me.  I was psyched because lurking under a table for treats is what I do best. One little nuzzle of a hand and a sad hungry look and I’m eating high on the hog.  And I do mean bacon, although prime rib works for me too.

Well, it turns out that the outdoor patios of the restaurants are where dogs are welcome. Great, I like dining al fresco.  But wait.  Did I mention that big storm?  No outdoor patios were open. So I was left home with that boring crunchy stuff, waiting for the doggie bag.  Bummer, because the food was so good, they ate it all.

National Park Beaches

The next day, after I forgave them for the restaurant fiasco, we got to go to some more dog-friendly Provincetown beaches.  I wasn’t supposed to be off-lease on these beaches because we had to follow the national park beaches rules.  My moms said that in the summer there are lots of people swimming and I’m not supposed to go in life-guarded areas.  I thought they were a little crazy because there was no one on the beach, let alone lifeguards.  After a few good tugs on my leash, I convinced them to let me go free. 

I had a blast.  Running up the beach, jumping into the surf, shaking the stuffing out of seaweed.  But I got excited and ran up a big dune to see what was on the top.  Oh, no, I was in trouble now.  My moms explained about dune ecology and erosion and even about nesting shorebirds.  They are big into conservation so I tried to listen.  But those big crashing waves were calling me, so I just looked remorseful until they finished talking.  Then I got to play in the waves again –I’m a black lab and we live to be in water.

When we finished romping at the beach, we headed to the car. Right then I saw the sign.  BEWARE OF SHARKS.  You do know that sharks eat seals. And when I’m wet, I look exactly like a seal. I wish someone had warned me when I was playing in that surf.  Come on moms, step up your dog safety game.

Pilgrim Bark Park

The last day of our trip I got my much-anticipated visit to the dog park. When we arrived, there were signs full of rules everywhere.  I was afraid I wasn’t going to like following all those rules.  But my mom explained that the rules protected me from getting attacked by one of those dogs who play too hard.  At this park, those dogs have to leave.  This is good because at my last dog park visit somewhere else, bad dogs got to stay and I had to leave.  This made my moms not want to take me to a dog park.  So now I love rules!!!  Mostly.

There was no one to play within my section of the park but across the fence were a bunch of those little yappy dogs.  Their people were supervising so they were surprisingly well behaved.  I wanted to go play with the little guys but my mom said that side was for dogs under 25 pounds and I weighed too much.  Geez, I have to stop gobbling all that cheese and turkey gravy.

Problem….

I had been crossing my legs all morning and really needed to go.  But there wasn’t a tree to be found in that park.  For a woods dog, this idea of doing your business in the sand is for the birds.  How uncivilized.  Finally, I hid behind one of the fancy art pieces they have there and relieved myself.  There was no dirt or leaves to cover it like in the woods at home, so my mom had to pick it up.  Gross.

I did have fun at the bark park, though it would be a great place if they had a few more customers on my side of the fence. And a few doggie outhouses (trees).

My Final Verdict

In sum, Provincetown met my criteria for a dog-friendly place and I’d go again.  I might stay in one of those dog-friendly hotels. Next time, however, I would avoid a stormy weekend, watch out for sharks, and definitely nix those faux British books on tape.

Here are some other adventures in Cape Cod, including yoga with goats. Can a goat do a downward-facing dog as well as me? Just asking.

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