Dog Days of Jacksonville

Dogs can be seen in one’s everyday life, from classic movies such as “Old Yeller”, to seeing a neighbor walking his furry friend down the street. According to a Census Bureau study done in 2006, approximately 72 million dogs were reported as household pets. This number represents a total of about forty percent of all American homes that are home to dogs alone, and doesn’t include homes with other pets such as cats or birds.

It is common for dogs to accompany their human companions to dog parks and dog-friendly restaurants. Since 72 million dogs are beloved pets around the nation, it can be expected that dog friendly accommodations and events are not far-fetched. This is especially true in the largest city in the United States: Jacksonville, Florida.

With 840 square miles, it is easy to find an adventure for every household dog in Jacksonville. There are hundreds of dog-friendly dining options for every food-loving pup. There are miles of the coast that can be discovered, with trails making up a large portion of this coastline, such as the trails throughout Little Talbot Island and Big Talbot Island. If it is exploring national parks and historic monuments that one seeks, then Fort Caroline, which is located in the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, is a good option. So long as dogs remain leashed and do not go in the buildings or any historic preservation areas, they are permitted to this park. The following figure represents a map of the area with the aforementioned parks. Each park has scenic trails, fit for every pup.

Figure 1, created by Kaitlyn Bixby

One popular retreat in Jacksonville is a local brewery called Aardwolf. This brewery opened in late 2013. In this brewery, dogs can be seen enjoying the relaxing atmosphere with their owners. With the growing number of people opting to give dogs a home and the ever-expanding city of Jacksonville, places like these can be expected to grow in popularity. This of course, would ultimately continue to help the economy grow and help local businesses succeed. Cats are not far behind in this game, with 81 million reported as household pets in the 2006 Census. In time, establishments similar to the Orlando Cat Café could debut in Jacksonville. But, for now, there is certainly no shortage of dog-friendly establishments to explore with one’s four legged, tail wagging, best friend.

#dogs