Vacation Ideas for Pet Lovers

Summer is not just the season for skimpy clothes and steamy romances, it is also time away from the grind. Kids are out of school and families across the nation embark on vacations -- a great way to bond with loved ones. This year do not stick the fuzzy member of your family in a kennel as you and the family set out for your summer excursion. Take him/her along. There are dozens of pet-friendly locations your family and your canine can go. Here are a few top-rate pet-friendly locales: Las Vegas is a city lit up in Technicolor and has something for everyone -- gambling and nightlife for adults, shows for the kids, gorgeous sunsets and scrumptious buffets for all to enjoy. However, Sin City is not just for the two-legged sightseer. Your four-legged companion can enjoy Vegas as well. Have fun walking the strip with your leashed dog as you and your family view wonderful replicas of some of the world's most famous cities. Off the strip, Red Rock Canyon's rock formation delivers the true beauty of Las Vegas. The canyon provides a 13-mile one-way road that winds around, but your dog must be leashed on the 19 hiking trails. Make sure you keep your family and dog hydrated with lots of water. After all, it is the desert. Is your dog a rover? If so, then Boston is a great city to discover. This all-American, historical city offers tons of bars and cafes including the Bull & Finch Pub, where the TV sitcom Cheers was filmed. Take a trip down memory lane by walking the Freedom Trail. Your family and your pooch can explore its 2.5 mile redlined sidewalks and observe Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, The State House and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, also known as Quincy Market. Boston's South End also is the location for the Polka Dog Bakery where your doggie can wolf down some tasty treats. This vacation would be great for terriers and dogs that are very active. Can your dog earn a merit badge? Yes! He or she can, if your family vacations at the Dog Scout Camp in St. Helen, Michigan. This 80-acre camp provides hiking trails and a huge pond with a beach. Along with your dog becoming a scout, some of the activities your family and dog can enjoy are Frisbee search and rescue, water rescue, painting, boating, backpacking, fly ball, herding and IMPROV obedience. Your family can also take courses in canine conditioning, dog massage and making dog cookies - tools you can use once you all return home. This vacation is optimal for any breed of dog from German Shepherds to Airedale Terriers. Labradors love water and the beach is a favorite spot for creating some wonderful summertime memories. Key West, Florida is a city that can offer tons of fun for your family and canine companion. There are abundant amounts of museums, shops and eateries to visit and dine in, but the biggest draw to Key West is the beautiful, tranquil beaches. Your family can spend their time wading in the delicious waters of the Atlantic, go deep-sea fishing, cruising by catamaran or investigating coral reefs. While in Key West, make sure you visit Dog Beach. Your dog will love mingling with all the other dogs, chasing the wildlife, running in the sand and, of course, swimming. We bring dogs into our homes with the intention of making them part of family. Including your pet in your vacation plans is another way for your pet to connect, create memories and enrich the experience of our lives.