TRAVELING WITH PETS

For pet owners finding a place to stay when traveling can sometimes be difficult. Whether visiting for a few days or spending a leisurely week, New York’s Dutchess County is the perfect place to find an accommodation that welcomes pets. From a quaint bed and breakfast to a large-scale hotel, there are many places to choose from in Dutchess County, the heart of the Hudson Valley.

The Whistle Wood Farm (www.whistlewood.com) in Rhinebeck is a bed and breakfast that has much to offer. For only an extra $15/night your pet can have a great experience. Outside there is plenty of space for the animals to run around and play with the three Labradors that live on the farm. Even if you own a horse you are welcome to have it stay in one of the stalls in the barn. All pets must be well mannered, and are allowed in the rooms when the owners are there. At other times the pets stay in the outside kennels. On this farm even birds are welcome. Guests are offered rooms with private baths, fireplaces, Jacuzzis and a full farm breakfast. The Whistle Wood Farm has been in pet magazines for their great hospitality and will soon be in New York Magazine.

The Wellesley Inn (Wellesleyonline.com), in Fishkill, is another great place to stay while vacationing with a pet. There are designated rooms for people with pets, and guests are asked to sign a damage waiver. The Wellesley Inn has even hosted people and their pets that were in nearby dog and cat shows.

At Heller’s Bed and Breakfast in Rhinebeck there is a room especially for guests with pets. The guests must assure the staff of the B & B that their pet will be very well mannered and can be left alone without any problems. Although people with pets are not always visiting, Heller’s has hosted a huge poodle that goes everywhere with its owners, as well as a snake whose owners assured the staff it would not be a problem and it wasn’t.

Also in Rhinebeck, The Hunting Box and the Southlands Foundation (Southlands.org) is a renovated tack room decorated with hunting and sport prints. With its private entrance, the suite has a living room and kitchenette on the first floor with a spiral staircase that leads to a second floor master bedroom with a queen sized bed, entertainment center and private bath. The suite also has beautiful views of the lawns and pond with plenty of outdoor space for pets to play.

May is a great time to travel with pets in Dutchess County, especially if you own a Scottie dog. Presented at the Wilderstein Preservation in Rhinebeck is the annual “Fala Gala.” Scottie dogs, other canines, owners and friends join in celebrating the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous pet dog Fala. There will be a parade of pooches, Scottie antiques and memorabilia, prizes and raffles, as well as question and answer time with a veterinarian. $25 per person will include a wonderful luncheon. Wilderstein is an 1888 Queen Anne Victorian mansion, the former home of Franklin Roosevelt’s cousin, Daisy Suckley. As close companions, Daisy raised and gave FDR his beloved pet, Fala. October will be a great time to enjoy the Dutchess County International Cat Show at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie along with the breathtaking fall foliage. It will be a championship cat show with thirty breeds in competition. There will also be an opportunity to “Ask the Vet” and a “Meow Mart” with everything for cats. Breeders with purebred kittens and adoptive DCSPCA cats will be at the show as well. Also in October is the Blessing of the Animals at St. Paul’s Wurtemburg Lutheran Church in Rhinebeck. All animals, from fish to fowl, with their owners, are welcome for an individual hands-on blessing by Reverend Mark D. Isaacs. For more information contact us at 800/445-3131 or visit our web site at DutchessTourism.com

Accommodations

Beekman Arms

6387 Mill St, Rt.9, Rhinebeck. 876-7077. 23 rooms. America’s only continuously operated inn, built in 1766. Private bath, a/c, cable, fireplace, dining, continental breakfast, pets welcome. Beekmandelamaterinn.com

Cottonwood Motel

2639 Rt.44, Millbrook. 677-3283. 17 rooms, 1 suite, 1 cottage. Country setting. Cable, a/c, Jacuzzi, pets welcome. Cottonwoodmotel.com

Econo Lodge
2625 South Road, Route 9, Poughkeepsie. 452-6600, fax 454-2210. 112 rooms, efficiency units. Complimentary continental breakfast. Pets welcome. Econolodge.com

Extended Stay America

55 W. Merritt Blvd. 896-0592. 104 rooms. Full kitchen, cable, guest laundromat, a/c, coffeemakers, continental breakfast, pets allowed. Extendedstay.com

Heller’s Bed & Breakfast
91 Astor Drive, Rhinebeck. 876-3468, fax 876-5373. 1 room. Private bath, and TV, continental breakfast. Children and pets welcome. May-Dec.

Homestead Studio Suites

25 Merritt Blvd., Fishkill. 897-2800, fax 897-2616. 7 suites with full kitchens. Health club available to guests, picnic area, continental breakfast. Pets welcome. Homesteadhotels.com

Norway Cottage

65-69 Lake Shore Drive, Pine Plains. 518/398-7657. 1 room cottage. Lake, dock, rowboat, a/c, pets allowed. Open May 15 – Nov. 1. Weekly only.

Residence Inn by Marriott

14 Schuyler Blvd. & Rt. 9, Fishkill. 896-5210. 139 suites. Kitchen, fireplace, health club, outdoor pool, whirlpool spa, wireless, manager’s reception, breakfast, pets welcome. Marriott.com/FHKHR

Rhinebeck Motel
6938 Route 9, Rhinebeck. 876-5900, fax 758-2950. 8 rooms. Cable TV, a/c, refrigerators and coffee service. Pets welcome. Webjogger.net/motel

Sinead’s Way

301 Hicks Hill Road, Stanfordville. 868-7892. 1 bedroom cottage, 1 suite in farmhouse. Direct TV, a/c, grill, children and pets welcome.

The Hunting Box at the Southlands Foundation

5771 Rt. 9, Rhinebeck. 876-4862. 1 suite with kitchen. Satellite TV, a/c, pond, hiking/cross-country ski trails, pets welcome. Southlands.org

Troutbeck

Leedsville Rd, Amenia. 373-9681. 42 rooms. English country estate with indoor swimming pool, lake fishing, tennis, hiking trails, sauna, health club, fireplace, Jacuzzi, king beds, meals included. Children over 13 and pets welcome. Troutbeck.com

Wellesley Inn
20 Schuyler Blvd. & Rt.9, Fishkill. 896-4995, fax 896-6631. 82 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast, HBO, microwaves and refrigerators. Access to health club and AARP rates. Pets welcome. Wellesleyonline.com

WhistleWood Farm Bed & Breakfast
52 Pells Road, Rhinebeck. 876-6838, fax 876-5513. 3 rooms with private baths, fireplaces and Jacuzzis, decks, patios, A/C, full country buffet breakfast. 3 suites also available. Children over 12 years old and pets welcome. Whistlewood.com