Harriet Baskas Travel writer

A dog walks into a bar.

No, really. This isn’t the summer joke column. It’s the promised follow-up to a recent column about pets traveling on airplanes. And, yes, there really are bars, restaurants and hotels where dogs and other pets are welcome.

But only if they and their people are well-behaved.

An estimated 10 million pet-doting travelers regularly take their animals with them when they travel. And when those pets and their owners are on the road they’re apt to be nosing about for pet-friendly places to sleep, eat and play. So it’s no surprise that hotels and restaurants are finding a way to cater to this well-heeled clientele.

For example, more than 13,000 pet-friendly motels, hotels and campgrounds in the United States and Canada are listed in the most recent edition of “Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Pet Book.”

A herd of web sites (including pettravel.com, takeyourpet.com and petsonthego.com) lists resources and tips for pet owners on the go. And if you send the folks at go2pets.com a text message with a zip code, they’ll text you back with information about pet-friendly lodgings and links to a variety of other useful resources, such as emergency pet hotlines.

Some pet-friendly properties welcome you and your pet if you put down a hefty cleaning deposit and pay an extra fee. Others go all out, rolling out the welcome mat with amenities such as dog and cat beds, toys and good-to-have services such as pet-sitting, walking and grooming. At the super pet-friendly Hotel Monaco in Portland, Ore., for example, a dog adopted from the local animal shelter serves as Director of Pet Relations and a pet masseuse is always on call.

Stay out of the dog house
Even at the most pet-friendly properties, only the most well-mannered pets and their people get invited back, so be sure to pack these tips in along with the treats.

Don’t just show up.  Call ahead to make sure your pet is really welcome. If you’re staying with friends or family, check to see if the invitation really includes you and your pet. Your friends may think you’re oh-so-cute and cuddly, but may not be so keen about your slobbery pooch. Or they may love your dog but have allergies, a super-territorial pet of their own or a nice new white sofa. If they do say it’s OK to bring your pet, be sure to bring your own pet food, pet bed and, says Tracey Thompson at petfriendlytravel.com, “a cover for the furniture. Dirt and pet hair on the bed may cause you and your pet not to be invited back.”

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If your plans include a hotel stay, call the property directly to confirm the pet policy. From a stint as a hotel reviewer, I’ve learned that the pet policies posted on hotel Web sites are often vague and outdated. And even if a hotel does accept pets, there’s usually a limit on the number of pets allowed in each room as well as restrictions about size and weight. And make sure you understand the fees: is there a “refundable cleaning deposit” or a “non-refundable fee?”

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