Activities For Dogs In Massachusetts On Cold Days

The first step should be figuring out where you can go shop. Generally speaking, bigger cities and certain neighborhoods are more dog-friendly than others, so if you want to make a longer trip of it, we suggest you pick those two first. Boston generally offers a wide variety of selections, but there are a few others that are also canine-inclusive. The best part is, although they don't advertise as much, many chains that don't serve food are dog-friendly. Home Improvement stores such as Lowe's, stores geared at enjoying the outdoors such as Bass Pro Shops, and even places like Macy's and Apple are often accepting of dogs, just make sure you call ahead to find out for sure first. And don't forget dog-specific shops as well. Pet stores, doggy bakeries, and boutiques offer unique selections you won't likely find anywhere else.

Next, put together a shopping list of things you may need for yourself as well as gifts for others and see how many dog-friendly places fall into order. Once you know that, you can map out numerous stops for the pair of you to make. Once you've figured out where to go, grab your supplies and go. Just make sure you're both dressed appropriately since you'll still likely need to walk from street or parking lot into the stores, plus any outdoor space that falls in between. Should your trip end up being longer, you can always ask around or use your smartphone to find a restaurant with a heated (and dog-friendly) patio for you and your dog to stay warm and grab some grub such as Daddy Jones or catch Yappy Hour at Dorchester Brewing Company. Just make sure to call ahead and double check that the patio is open (and heated for that matter). When all is said and done, you'll have hours of entertainment, warmth, adventure, and some great gifts to boot!

For those who celebrate Christmas, dressing up can be a fun way to rein in the holiday season. But even if dressing up isn't for you, if you have a dog that tolerates (or even enjoys) being dressed up, we've got a perfect solution for you. Although it's a relatively new tradition, holidays at The Village Green in Plymouth provides the perfect opportunity for the pair of you to try something new. Dogs and owners come from all over New England to participate in the Reindog Parade and yes, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Dogs (and owners) dress up in holiday attire and costumes to join the once-a-year parade that marches through the streets bringing holiday cheer to bystanders who line up sometimes hours in advance to watch. Registration is easy and can be done just hours before the parade itself kicks off. There are even prizes available for the top three best-dressed, so you may even walk away with an extra gift!

If dressing up isn't your thing (or your dog's), you can always go see the man of the season: Santa Claus. Many non-profits and animal shelters offer the opportunity to take pictures with the jolly old man for a minimal fee, with many of the proceeds going to the sponsor to better local canine lives. Some of them even plan holiday events around them as well, including doggy games and specialized gifts for you dog or others, which will only expand your possibilities even further.

If you're a bit more low key, there are plenty of more easy-going events to attend that take considerably less participation. Boston Commons provides a ceremonial tree lighting every year and the area is quite dog-friendly, leaving lots of space for you and your pup to bundle up and talk a walk through a beautifully lit park. Of course, if you can't travel that far, you can always look to local neighborhoods. Plenty of Massachusetts towns have streets or even several blocks that will agree to decorate their homes for a holiday walk-through, so you and your dog can grab a hot chocolate and take an evening or night stroll through the gorgeous glowing lights of your winter nights.

While there are plenty of events you can attend that have plenty of activities for both you and your dog to participate in, we suggest you check out the Second Chance Animal Services Halloween Barktacular. Admission to the event has traditionally been free and it includes everything from dog-friendly trick-or-treating to haunted hayrides, spooky-themed games, costume contests and even a benefit walk. And of course, you may make the process a multiple day affair, as you can spend time shopping or creating your costumes as well, giving you that many more options of things to do.

More than almost any other Halloween activity, the most intense and festive come in the form of haunted tours, of which there are an absolute ton of around the Boston area (as well as others). As long as you call ahead, most places are accepting of dogs and very few charge an additional fee to have them on the tour - and most of them are $20 or cheaper to boot! They usually entail walking around outside, so you'll want to make sure you dress for the weather, as most of them last between 45 to 120 minutes, and you'll want to be respectful of the sites, so make sure you provide a bathroom break for your barker beforehand.