Take a Vacation with Your Dog at Canine Club Getaway

By Julia Williams

Even though I’m a diehard “cat lady,” I love all animals including dogs. Lately, I’ve been having a strange desire to get a dog. I say “strange” because I’ve always bonded more with cats than dogs. Plus, it takes considerably more time and effort to be a responsible dog owner than it does to be a responsible cat owner. If your cats are poorly trained it doesn’t really matter, because no one expects you to be able to train cats anyway. Ha ha!

But seriously – one big advantage dogs have over cats is the potential for fun outside the home. There are umpteen dog sports and activities you can participate in with your canine best friend. Cats generally prefer to stay home getting their 16-18 hours of beauty sleep. Most dogs enjoy road trips, and pet-friendly lodging makes it easier than ever to take the pooch along on summer vacations.

Elevating that idea to a whole new level is Canine Club Getaway (CCG), a once-a-year opportunity to take an amazing vacation at a beautiful resort that caters to people AND dogs! Uh oh. I was already feeling the itch to get a dog – and now, after looking at all of the pawesome activities the Canine Club Getaway offers both its two and four-legged guests, I really, really want a dog!


About the Canine Club Getaway

This year’s Getaway is scheduled for June 25-29 in Lake George, New York. Just a 3-1/2 hour drive from the Big Apple, the picturesque Roaring Brook Ranch offers majestic views of the Adirondack Mountains, a beautiful lake and a serene woodsy setting. Roaring Brook Ranch is pet friendly too, which means it’s a perfect place to vacation with your canine best friend!

As long as your dog is friendly towards people and other dogs, is at least four months old, potty trained and immunized, he’ll be welcomed with open paws at The Canine Club Getaway. It doesn’t matter if your dog is young or old, purebred or mutt, an accomplished athlete or a rookie ready to learn some new tricks– there’s plenty of fun to be had by all, including you!  The professional, dog-loving CCG staff includes trainers, dog sport instructors and veterinarians who are committed to making sure you and your dog have a great vacation. 

The Activities

This year’s Canine Club Getaway has something for everyone, from active, sports-loving doggies to the more intellectual types who enjoy learning new things. A partial list of planned activities includes: agility for all levels (beginner to advanced), “barks and crafts,” costume contest, flyball, Frisbee, guided hikes, lure coursing, obedience classes, preparation for the Canine Good Citizen test and the Therapy Dog International test, seminars on canine nutrition, emergency first aid and behavioral issues, swimming lessons, tricks and water games.

Human guests can partake of “yappy hour” at the Bow-Wow Bar, go for a swim in the pool (dogs welcome!), or just relax poolside with your pup. And should your pooch get bitten by the love bug while on vacation, they even have a lovely gazebo for doggie weddings!

Resort-Style Accommodations

There’s no need to “ruff it” just because you’re taking your dog along on your summer vacation. The resort’s spacious rooms are air conditioned and have private bathrooms, and your dog can even sleep on your bed with you, if that’s what floats your boat. The all-inclusive Canine Club Getaway rates start at $1075 and include lodging, three meals daily (Saturday evening through Wednesday morning) and all dog activities. For more information, you can visit the CCG website.

Now, about that dog I’ve been itchin’ to get – I just may do it one day, but probably not in time for this year’s fabulous Canine Club Getaway. Does anybody have a dog they’d be willing to loan me?

Read more articles by Julia Williams