Seymour is my Mood RIng

Remember mood rings? I still have mine but I don't really need it now that I have Seymour. I didn't realize how intuitive he is with me until today. We were both kind of moping around the house, neither very active. He - and I - reluctantly went for a walk in our neighborhood. Seymour actually stopped after walking about 5 minutes and wanted to go back home - as did I. If Seymour was a mood ring, he would have been closing in on black.

I decided to take him with me to run some errands and one of the things we do is go to the grocery store. Because Seymour has to stay in the car, his treat is going for a walk around town when I come out. We both perked up because we were finally in a different environment and enjoyed the sights - and smells - of the small town. If he was a mood ring, he would have been the color blue/green - very content - and so was I.

When we couldn't get ourselves to walk 5 minutes in our neighborhood, we ended up walking over 30 minutes in town. It made me realize how much we both like to travel - to see new things - walk new places - and smell - well at least Seymour likes the smells of new grounds. We will be planning another trip soon.

And More Pet-Friendly Stores

Today I had to get tires for my truck and had over an hour to wander around to various stores - with Seymour. I felt like I hit the jackpot because no one turned me away when I asked if I could bring Seymour in. Some were friendlier than others but no one said "no". I have to say that when I go into these stores, I always feel that I need to purchase something - just so they know that people with pets aren't just "lookers" (and I don't mean that "beauty-wise"). The additional stores In San Marco, Texas I checked out were:

Marshalls - when I asked if I could bring Seymour into the store if I carried him, they said "you can put him in a cart". Very nice. So I bought some sweat pants - my wardrobe basic for this winter.

Bed, Bath and Beyond - the woman behind the counter say "OK" somewhat reluctantly but before I had been in the store for 2 minutes, 2 sales people came up to me and fawned over Seymour. Maybe they liked his blue turtleneck. Socks and a lap tray went home with me!

Ross - Again, no problem bringing him in - and I got a pair of sweat capris - preparing for my spring wardrobe!

Blanco Bank (in Wimberley Texas) - and I think most banks allow dogs. Many have doggie treats ready to give out, also. Unfortunately Seymour is very picky about his treats. He only eats real meat treats but he at least sniffs what he is given and I quickly pocket it and say he'll eat it later. And maybe, some day he will!

What does Seymour get out of these trips? Lots of attention, gentle petting and sometimes even offers of dog biscuits. Life is good -

More Pet-Friendly Stores

I have found that most of the independent-owned stores that don't sell food products seem to be open to allowing pets in their shops. Because Seymour is only 7 pounds, I always ask and usually just carry him. I'm starting to get a strong right arm, thanks to my 7 pound weight lifing and carrying.

I totally forgot about how pet-friendly Half-Price Books is. They actually invite your pet to come in with you - and they can walk, not just be carried. I love that store!

This week I went into Best Buy and they allowed Seymour to come in as long as I carried him. I think it would probably be more difficult to get into stores with a larger pet.

I also have had to get work done on my various vehicles and went to get the oil changed, went to a car dealership and to Discount Tire - all were fine with Seymour walking through their shops and sitting in the waiting room.

Feel free to share other names of places of business that allow pets.

Shopping With a Pet

I like to take Seymour with me as much as possible. The stores I've found that allow pets include:
Home Depot
Lowes
Petsmart
Petco
Garden Ridge Pottery

Some other stores I go into, I will ask if pets are allowed. Often they are - with stipulations. For example, TJ Maxx in Austin, TX allowed me to bring Seymour into the store as long as I carried him and didn't put him in the cart. Ace Hardware used to allow pets but last year put a sign up saying "no pets". I don't know why.

Sometimes one just doesn't have a choice. It's too hot in the car or it may not be a safe neighborhood. So, in an emergency, I have put Seymour in his purse/carrying bag and gone into convenience stores or drugstores to quickly purchase things.

I believe that well-behaved pets should be allowed in most shops. I can understand size limits on pets due to possible damage to merchandise or having to not put them in a cart because people may be grossed out by the possibility of dog hair. To me, if a place is pet-friendly, I'm going to frequent it more and purchase more from them.

I'd love to know about other stores / chains that are also pet friendly.

Pet Friendly - Rolling Hills Casino

I know it seems that I talk about Casinos a lot but I do notice them when I'm traveling - and sometimes stop in to lose some nickels. I was driving from Sacramento to Redding, CA a few months ago and noticed a Casino along the the highway, I think it was I-10. I usually have no time to stop, but I happened to notice a sign that said "Free Pet Boarding" and that piqued my attention. I made a quick stop to check it out.

I found out that they have a separate building where the pets stay - and it is free. The only problem is that they keep them in cages. I guess that is easiest since otherwise they would need your pet's immunization records and I'm sure not everyone carries them - except those that have read my blog!

The woman pointed me in the direction of the pet storage building - I mean pet lodge and I drove around looking for it. I didn't have time to go in but it is nice to know that there is a place where your dog can be safe for a few hours while you have your fun - or your meal.

I have heard that there are many more Casinos that have the same or similar service but this was the first time I actually saw it for myself. Seymour hasn't been in a cage - except his crate - since I rescued him so I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. But I think it is a needed service for pet-owners so it would be worth checking out.

Staying Overnight at a State Rest Stop

While driving across country in a car or a camper van, you may find yourself lost (OK, I found myself lost) and not close to a hotel or campground. This almost happened to me. I did finally find a campground that was the worst I'd ever been in. I wasn't even real comfortable walking Seymour. I would have felt more comfortable staying at a truck stop or rest stop.

So, I started watching the signs in the rest stops along the highways and found that some allow you to stay overnight and some don't. I did a little more research through "google" and found a longer list of rest stop information. The website I dug through was www.rvadvice.com. Below are many of the States with rest stop details. Some say "as posted" so it will depend on which place you stop if overnights are allowed.

I do have to say that I met a woman who said she stayed at about 10 rest stops in different States while traveling in her car a few months ago and she was never asked to leave. So, if you are in a State that says they don't allow overnights and you see other cars there, I would probably join them if I was tired enough - with my doors locked, of course. And with a handy can of wasp spray that can substitute for pepper spray. This is important to me since I have to leave my car periodically to walk Seymour.

Arkansas - allow overnight parking
Texas - as posted
Louisiana - as posted
Georgia - No overnights
California - as posted
New Mexico - as posted
Nebraska - No overnights
Tennessee - allowed in rest areas
Pennsylvania - No overnights
North Carolina - as posted
Oklahoma - allowed in rest areas
Ohio - No overnights
Wisconsin - No overnights
Florida - No overnights
Colorado - No overnights
Mississippi - No overnights
Nevada - as posted
Arizona - permitted unless posted otherwise
Iowa - as posted
Michigan - as posted
New York - as posted

I'd love to know if anyone has stayed overnight at a rest stop in a State that says "No overnights". I plan to keep this list with me in my van on my next long distance trip.

Wimberley, Texas

This small community is mostly pet-friendly. I have taken Seymour into many of the shops - carrying him - without a problem. I always ask before going into each store the first time, just to be sure pets are allowed. I found one store that agreed to let me bring him in, but I could see that they weren't quite comfortable with it. I was lucky that Seymour was quiet and well-behaved in my arms as I browsed and I did make a small purchase. Hopefully, we helped them to be more open to pets. As a tip, when Seymour is dressed in a sweater or cute shirt, he seems to be more accepted in the stores. I'm not sure if it's because he looks more human or just looks cute - either works for me!



Continuing our shopping, we found an area called Garden Gate Shops just in back of the main Square of stores. This is currently made up of Legacy Hatters, Country Classics and Bent Tree Gallery. All of the shops there welcome pets but the Gallery stands out as the most pet-friendly. There was no problem walking my dog into the shop - on his leash - as I check out all of the local artist's works. On the porch of the Tea Room, which includes a coffee shop and more art, Seymour will always find a bowl full of water. It's the little things that stand out and that water bowl was so unexpected and thoughtful, I knew I would shop there often. Seymour just finished drinking and was ready to shop when I tool the picture!





When you get hungry, both restaurants on the Square have outdoor patios where they allow pets. Wimberley Cafe is on the Square and Inoz' is across the street. Sitting in a restaurant (even if it is outside) is a nice change from having to get a take-out meal or drive through a fast-food restaurant because you have a pet.

If you want to give your dog a break from shopping to enjoy some sniffing of nature, there is a small park and walking trail along the water just a few shops north of Inoz'. It's one of Seymours' favorite places to just be a dog.

Overall, Seymour and I have enjoyed our shopping trips in Wimberley.