Thursday was National Dog Day and airports went all out to celebrate their favorite pooches.
First, let’s congratulate Alona, who works at Mccarran International Airport in Las Vegas, who is this year’s winner of the TSA’s Cutest Canine contest.
Thank you to everyone who 'raised a paw' and voted for Alona in this year's @TSA Cutest Canine contest. She is a worthy holder of this title and spends her days working @LASairport. Who knew a #workingdog could be so skilled AND so cute? 🐾 pic.twitter.com/S7cp7YGadK
BLOG: Every dog has their day, and today belongs to Alona, the winner of this year’s TSA Cutest Canine Contest! We tallied over 131,000 votes from you on our social media platforms. Alona, an Explosives Detection Canine out of @LasAirport. Read more at: https://t.co/cfy9obTyQwpic.twitter.com/nwDf9yvfCi
& it wouldn't be a #NationalDogDay without shouting out some of our favorite furry friends at CHS! Scout, Taz & Hector keep our travelers safe and we are so thankful for them. 🐾 🐶 pic.twitter.com/VA8lsUMWq8
— Charleston International Airport (@iflyCHS) August 26, 2021
Today Paws for Takeoff launched at CHS! Playful, tail-wagging canines and their owners provide a special way to help alleviate the stress that is so common in an airport environment. Teams volunteering at CHS will visit on Thursdays or Sundays between the hours of 9a and 6p. 🐾 pic.twitter.com/gdlbW6w02Y
— Charleston International Airport (@iflyCHS) August 26, 2021
Happy National Dog Day to all the K9s who play an essential role in keeping our passengers safe. Meet officer Ayers and K9 Sandy from the @houstonpolice. pic.twitter.com/bgWyoCBEI1
It is International Dog Day! In celebration, we have 8 CATS Teams out and about starting at 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Check in with our Information Booths to find out where you can find the teams! 🐾 🐕 🐾 #DENCATSpic.twitter.com/xY1nr2ytGg
We’re celebrating #NationalDogDay🐶 with the #MiamiHoundMachine. Even though they are not back in the terminal, you can still snap a pic📷 with them at MIA. Just look for our pop-up photo spots. Now that’s news that will get tails wagging! pic.twitter.com/UE9hhOisau
We have a lot to celebrate on International Dog Day! We are thankful for the dedication and hard work of our SDF WAGS and Public Safety K-9 teams, doing their part to keep travelers happy and safe. #FlyLouisville#NationalDogDay#Dogdaypic.twitter.com/pisUbyZOAK
Airports around the country celebrated National Dog Day (August 26) with announcements of new pet therapy programs and celebrations of their working pups.
We're tired of you hounding us. On #NationalDogDay we want you to paws what you're doing and listen – Therapy dogs are coming to MCO! Roll over to MCO and get ready to pet – The #MCOPawPilots program kicks off this Friday, 8/30. 🐶 pic.twitter.com/EIllMDp4kO
For #InternationalDogsDay, we'd like to give a special thanks to our furry friends roaming the terminal to comfort passengers flying through PIT! Have you met any of the pups on the PIT Paws therapy dog team or collected any of their trading cards? https://t.co/aF2HaOERK2pic.twitter.com/hVuH9EaJLH
— Pittsburgh International Airport (@PITairport) August 26, 2019
Happy #InternationalDogDay! This our our paw pal Alpine the Adventurer! He was only 8 weeks old when he flew for the first time and we are honored to be his first airport experience!
Where to stay and play with your pup on National Dog Day
No bones about it. People love their pets and want to take
them along when it comes time to travel.
That’s why so many hotels now offer pet-friendly guestrooms and are joining breweries, restaurants and other attractions to offer special packages and pup-themed parties open to all to celebrate National Dog Day on August 26.
Some events include freebies, discounts, activities and treats for pups and their people. Others will pass along donations to local animal shelters as well.
Here’s a round-up of some of the events I put together recently for CNBC:
Puppies and Prosecco in Colorado
The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver is offering an in-room
puppy-palooza as part of its Puppies + Prosecco Package August 23 – 26.
Guests who book the package will have 6-10 adoptable puppies
delivered to their room, along with Prosecco and Italian nibbles from the
Panzano restaurant. A Lifeline Puppy Rescue expert comes along to answer
questions and take care of the puppies and 50% of each booking will be donated
to the shelter. (Package price: Best Flexible Rate for Luxury Suite + $50; call
800-990-1303 to book).
All Mile High City dogs & their owners are
also invited to celebrate National Dog Day at Denver Union Station, which is
holding a free National Dog Day Yappy Hour in the Great Hall on Monday, Aug; 26th
from 4 to 7 p.m. with dog-friendly vendors and treats.
On National Dog Day, the Park Hyatt Beaver
Creek will be waiving its usual $150 pet fee and kicking off a pet-friendly
package that include dog beds, food and water dishes, house-baked treats and a
list of local hikes and dog-friendly dining options.
New York pup parties
In Brooklyn, New York, the William Vale will
be offering
10% off room rates for all stays between August 23rd – 26th, 2019 and donating
10% of all proceeds to Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue. Canine customers will
receive dog biscuits from District Dog, a bowtie from Hiro + Wolf and a toy
from Wild One.
On August 25, the William Vale is also hosting a
Tea Party and Dog Day Show, with categories such as best rescue, waggiest tail
and best in show. Tickets: $25 per person (and dog) with $5 per ticket donated
to the animal rescue as well.
On
National Dog Day, August 26, pet portraitist Ben Lenovitz will be on site at the
Moxy Times Square to create custom pet portraits. Portrait fees start at
$80 and 50% of the proceeds will benefit pups at Muddy Paws Rescues.
Raise a pint with your pup
In Columbus, Ohio, the BrewDog Brewery
has a full day of pet-friendly fun planned for National Dog Day
on August 26.
A puppy pool party will feature craft beer for
dogs, free doggie cupcakes for the first 100 pups to arrive, a make-your-own
dog bow-tie class, and a dog agility competition. A groomer will be on site for
free training and quick nail treatments as well.
The brewery is also offering “Supper with your
Pupper,” a $25, 2-course meal that includes a a choice of menu items for humans
and a dog beer and a pupcake for canine companions.
Virginia is for dog lovers
The Alexandrian, in the Old Town neighborhood of
Alexandria, Virginia will host a special National Dog Day event in the hotel’s
courtyard on August 26 with a “Smooch a Pooch” kissing booth encouraging pup
adoptions from Project Second Chance animal rescue.
The event will also feature pop-up dog training
demonstration, games and treats for pups and their people, a prize wheel and watercolor
pet portraits for purchase with 25% of the proceeds going to the animal rescue.
Cocktails with your canine
Guests who dine with their pups on the terrace of ADDiKT, the restaurant on the 15th floor of the W Miami, will receive one complimentary signature cocktail as well as complimentary dog treats on Monday, August 26th. The hotel is also offering a special Doggie City Guide at check-in that lists Miami’s top dog parks and pet-friendly restaurant hotspots.
Yappy Hours
In Idaho, Hotel Ketchum will be
offering complimentary upgrades for dogs (and their owners) on National Dog Day
and donating 100% of all pet fees collected to its animal rescue partner, Mountain
Humane. The hotel will also be hosting a Yappy Hour from 4-6pm with beer/wine for
humans and treats for dogs.
The Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, CA
will host its National Dog Day Yappy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on August 26 in the
resort’s waterfront A&O Kitchen+Bar. Fido-themed cocktails for humans will
be featured, along with tasty treats for pups, with a percentage of all sales to
be donated to the local Newport Beach Animal Shelter.
And the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is
having its annual National Dog Day pup-fest on August 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. The
event features free dog washes, caricatures, a photo booth and treats from Big
Gay Ice Cream. The hotel’s Red Owl Taven will have a dog-themed happy hour on the
patio with drink and snack specials, such as Hush Puppies and Greyhounds. The
hotel’s shelter partner, Lulu’s Rescue, will be on site with adoptable pups.
Bonus tips for traveling with your pet
year-round
Of course, National Dog Day isn’t the only
time of year many hotels welcome guests to come by with their pets.
Pet-friendly hotels welcome well-behaved dogs (and other animals) year-round,
if pet owners observe some basic pet etiquette.
“Call in advance,” says Jorge Gonzalez,
general manager of the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, “Request a
guest room on the lowest floor or near an elevator for quick bathroom
break access. And only travel with your furry companion if he or she is
housebroken.”
Gonzalez also reminds guests checking into a
hotel with pets to be mindful of other guest by keeping pets leashed and not
leaving a pet locked in a guest room alone.
Out of respect to other guests that may have
to listen to a lonely dog bark, cry or howl, “Take them with you to explore the
city,” said Gonzalez.