Let the Adventure Begin

Okay, so … here’s what I know. St. Simons Island is part of something called the Golden Isles, so maybe there’s hidden treasure here or something! I hope I get to help dig! My humans, Sam and Kristi, keep talking about a king and a prince too, so maybe it’s a fancy country with castles. I see a lot of really big trees, but it’s different than the forests we have at home in the mountains. These trees aren’t tall and skinny; they have huge trunks and thick twisty branches. My human brother Colin loves to climb trees, and these look perfect! Sam told Colin the stuff hanging down off the branches is called Spanish moss. It sure doesn’t look like the regular moss we see on the ground at home! Kristi is taking LOTS of pictures. Oh, and she also said I’m going to meet a Bear. I haven’t seen any caves around that look like somewhere a bear would live, but I’m going to keep an eye out. I’m not scared! …

We’re checking into the place we’re staying this week before we go explore. Sam and Kristi were happy to find Hotel Simone because they said it’s near the beach and the Village and best of all, they have dog-friendly rooms, so I could come along. Not only are the people at Hotel Simone friendly, but they also have presents for me! Kristi called it a “wag bag.” It’s a tote bag with a tennis ball, a frisbee, a collapsible bowl for water or food for me, and some doggy bags in a holder that can be clipped on my leash when we go for walks and potty breaks. How cool is that?! They might be my new best friends! I also saw a cute Pom in the lobby. Hope she’s staying here too!

I found out the king and prince aren’t real people. When Sam was talking to the lady at the desk, he asked about other places to stay on the island where dogs are allowed. It turns out The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort is the name of a place where my humans have stayed when they’ve been here before. It was full this week because it’s very popular. Sam said his parents had something called a honeymoon there a long time ago. It sounds fancy. The lady said that if we want to stay there another time, there are dog-friendly accommodation options at the Resort. They’ll give me a special plush bed of my own, a pawprint bowl, plus some treats. Yep, I think I’m going to like this island! Now we’re going someplace called the Pier.

I’m making lots of new friends and so are my humans. It’s sunny and warm and there are so many good smells! It made us all hungry, so we stopped at a place called Zuzu’s to get some dinner and take it to the park to eat. Sam got a big bacon cheeseburger and French fries and shared a piece of bacon with me! It sure was good! Colin was happy because he got an ice cream cone and Kristi let him eat it before he had his hot dog. Don’t tell, but when we were sitting on the bench and he was busy looking at the big yellow thing that’s cutting up the boat that tipped over, I tried to take a lick. Kristi pulled me away, but I was just trying to help because it was dripping! Besides, I saw a big pelican and some seagulls eyeing the cone like they were going to take it. Gotta show ’em who’s boss!

While Colin went to play on the playground, Sam and I took a walk back to the stores in the Village. He wanted to get a surprise for Kristi. He picked out a special bracelet that looks like an oyster with a pearl from Emily at Golden Isles Bracelet Co. Emily likes dogs. I like her. Sam also talked to a nice lady named Landon outside

There are dogs everywhere we go!

of Georgia Sea Grill. He said he’s making reservations to bring Kristi there later this week because it was where they had their first date. Landon told him some of Chef Tim’s specialties and mentioned something about catfish. I don’t know whether that’s a cat or a fish, but it’s on the menu. Sam said it sounds good, but I think he should just stick to bacon. And speaking of yummy stuff, he also took me to an awesome store called Island Dog. He bought me some special cookies, a new collar, and a jacket for me to wear when we go on the boat to see dolphins. Ms. Lynn at the store said I had very good manners and gave me a treat too. We walked back to the park near the playground. It’s called Neptune Park. A lot of families were there having picnics at the tables. Kristi told Sam that we should cook out on one of the grills there one night. Sometimes when they grill at home they share the chicken with me, so I’m all for it! Colin is excited to come back too because there’s a big pool and a miniature golf course. I don’t think they’ll let me swim in the pool though. Oh hey, there’s that cute Pom with her humans … I’m going to go introduce myself.

Her name is Bitsy! And she lives here. Her humans have some out-of-town friends visiting and they came to the hotel to meet up with them. And it turns out her humans know Kristi too! It seems like everybody knows everybody on this island. Even when they don’t, they’re still happy to sit and talk. Nobody is in a hurry. They call it “island

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time.” Sam even bought a t-shirt that says that at one of the shops in the Village. I like island time. I asked Bitsy about the pool, and she said I can’t go swimming there, but at the end of the year, they have one special day when they open the pool to just dogs. How cool is that?! To be honest, Bitsy doesn’t seem like a girl who likes to get her fur wet. At least I’ll get to swim in the ocean.

Bitsy says her favorite thing to do is to go shopping with her human, Betsy. (Yes, you read that right. I bet in the winter they have matching sweaters too!) Betsy has a special carrier so she can take Bitsy in the shops. She says there are lots of places to go: Redfern Village, The Shops on Market Street, and The Shops at Sea Island. Wow! I thought there was a lot right here by the Pier. She especially likes going into Ronne’s on Market Street because her friend Duchess (pictured below) is there. Bitsy also told me that even though I don’t have a special carrier (No

thanks, sis, I can walk!) there are lots of restaurants with outdoor tables and patios where I can go with my humans. I hope

Southern Soul Barbeque is one of them because Sam has been talking about that place ever since we got in the car to come down! He wants something called “burnt ends” but Kristi said the smoked chicken salad and fried green beans are her favorite. I have noticed that whenever they talk about St. Simons Island, they always mention food. I almost feel like I know “Sal,” the boxer who made pizza and sang to the diners at Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, but I admit I originally thought they meant a boxer of the four-legged variety.

It’s getting dark, but Colin is playing with some kids and Sam and Kristi are still chatting with Betsy. They’re talking about dogs. Bulldogs. Uga. I’ve seen his picture. I think he’s a dog that plays football. My humans love some football! Everybody gets all excited about Uga in our house, but I don’t get what the big deal is. Bitsy whispers that she met him once. So what?! I’d rather play catch with a tennis ball. Maybe Colin and I can play with that ball from my wag bag. But right now, I’m feeling sleepy. There’s a band playing outside the place with the green awning by the pier (Brogen’s, I think Sam called it) and we can hear the music. They said it’s a group called Suzy & the Bird Dogs. I don’t hear any dogs in the band, but it’s nice. Betsy says they have concerts on the lighthouse lawn some Sunday nights during the summer and everybody brings their blankets, chairs, and a picnic to come out and enjoy the music. That sounds like fun!

Oh, wait! Colin’s back and asking questions about the lighthouse. I didn’t really notice it before, but wow, that light is bright! Sam says the lighthouse was built more than 100 years ago, and there was another one there before that. He says that ships can see the light more than 20 miles away. That’s far! Sam told Colin that there are 129 stairs to get to the top, and if he thinks he can climb them all, they can go up to see where the light comes from. There’s a special kind of lens, called a Fresnel lens, that makes it so bright. Sam says the lighthouse is an important part of the island’s history. Colin asks if that means it’s a museum. Kristi tells him it is, and she says they’ll go visit it and another museum on the island that she hasn’t been to yet: the World War II Home Front Museum. She tells Colin that he can learn about spotting planes, building ships, and hear about submarines there. I know I can’t go with them in the museums, but maybe for something like that, I’d ride in a carrier like Bitsy’s.

Betsy decided it was time for her and Bitsy to go home, so we said our goodbyes. Kristi said we could take a quick walk down on the beach before going back to the hotel, but we walked over to the stairs, there was no sand, it was all ocean! Kristi laughed and said she forgot about high tide. When Colin asked what that means she said she’d show him tomorrow. Tomorrow we go to the beach!

Before heading to the beach, it’s important to get the lay of the land and understand the rules. St. Simons Island has four miles of beaches. The most popular area is East Beach, with main access points at the Coast Guard Station (First Street access to East Beach), Gould’s Inlet (the northernmost access point on East Beach at 16th Street), and Massengale Park (1350 Ocean Boulevard). Coast Guard and Massengale access points have large parking areas and convenient facilities. From the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, pets are only allowed on the beach before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. from 16th St. (East Beach South) to Mallery St. (The Pier). Dogs are allowed any time of day to the north of 16th Street. During allowable times/areas and in non-summer months, dogs are permitted on any portion of the beach but must be within close proximity and under the immediate control of the owner/ handler. If the handler is unable to control pet via voice-command, a 10’ leash is required. Owners are required to clean up after their pets. Vehicles are prohibited on the beach. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there is a Warning Flag system in place to notify visitors of conditions. The flag key is posted at main beach access sites. Please pay attention to the flags and do not swim in hazardous conditions. Lifeguards are present from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily at Coast Guard and Massengale beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. While they can provide assistance when needed, you swim at your own risk.

Rip currents are common. They are difficult to see and much more dangerous than undertow. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. If you are caught in one, don’t fight it. Do your best to swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the beach and then make your way back to shore. If you can’t escape the current, tread water or float on your back. If you need help, call out and wave your arms for assistance, but it’s important to stay calm. You don’t want to tire yourself out trying to fight the current and frantically attempting to swim to shore.

It’s best to allow yourself to float out in order to break the grip of the rip current then wait until you can make headway swimming parallel to the beach before trying to make it safely to land.

Don’t Be a Crab, Follow the Rules

Kristi mentioned the tide yesterday. Today she showed us the difference between where the water was during low tide and where we saw it last night. She explained that the tide here changes very quickly and the difference in the ocean levels at low and high tide here is one of the highest on the East Coast. It’s for this reason that swimmers are cautioned not to swim out to visible sand bars. When the tide comes in, the sand bars can be completely submerged under six to eight feet of water and the water may be moving as fast as ten miles per hour. In these conditions, rip currents are especially dangerous and even strong swimmers can have difficulty. To guarantee you’re not caught in this situation, you want to be well away from sandbars before tide change. To know when tide change occurs, check a local tide chart at tidesandcurrents. noaa.gov or a tide chart app such as Tide Alert (NOAA) – USA, My Tide Times, or Tide Charts. There are also a few good things to know when it comes to wildlife at the beach. While you’re welcome to take away shells and shark’s teeth, it’s illegal to collect and kill live animals from Georgia beaches, including sand dollars. If a sand dollar is brown/purple and has bristles, it is likely alive. Only take the white/grey, non-bristled skeletons. You’ll also want to make sure any shells you’re taking home are empty. It’s never fun to discover – by the smell – that you accidentally brought home live hermit crabs! Beach hermit crabs are not the type you see sold as pets that can live in a cage or tank. The marine variety need to be submerged in salt water to survive. Chlorine is toxic to them. Sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws. Do not touch or disturb nests or hatchlings, or females crawling to or from the ocean to nest. Please fill in any holes dug in the sand and do not use lights on the beach at night to further help protect them.

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We had so much fun at the beach!

We went to Gould’s Inlet so we could stay as long as we wanted. Sam and I played ball and frisbee, and I made more new friends. Some of them are giants, like Bodhi and Boozer. Bear, who’s really a Newfoundland and not a bear at all, was there too. We splashed in the water and chased birds, but mostly chased each other.

When we were splashing around, some ladies were talking about how brown and “dirty” the water is here. They are used to the blue water in Florida. Sam said the water isn’t “dirty” at all, the brown is good. He told them to think of it like nature’s sweet tea. It’s brown from stirred up sediment and tannins that come from the Spartina grasses, leaves, and tree bark that wash offshore from the swamps and marshes. Sedimentary deposits from big rivers that flow into the ocean here make the sea floor near the shore muddy, rather than sandy. Storms that churn off the coast can stir the sediment up, making the brown water darker and more obvious, but its sweet tea color is consistent here no matter the weather. He told them it’s really a good thing because the nutrient rich waters are ideal for wildlife. Fish, crabs, shrimp, and other sea life love it. That attracts a wide variety of birds, and provides a healthy diet for other animals, like the dolphins they were so excited to see. Sam is so smart!

Kristi pointed out some boats with long arms and nets and said they were catching the yummiest shrimp in the world because of the brown

water. She told the ladies to try shrimp & grits or Low Country Boil at Catch 228, if they haven’t. On Jekyll Island, which is nearby, they even have a festival celebrating shrimp & grits! That night, they were still talking about the shrimp, so we went to a restaurant called Iguana’s where Sam told us everybody goes to eat the fried shrimp. Colin liked it because they had free ice cream after dinner and he could make his own chocolate sundae.

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More to Explore

Today was Sam and Kristi’s special day. Colin and I spent the day with Kristi’s friend, Amy and her son, Julian. We got up early to walk on the beach and Sam dropped us off with Amy so he could take Kristi for mimosas and breakfast at Halyards. Amy told them not to worry about us, she picked up breakfast at Café Frederica and we were going to go on an adventure. When she gave Colin and Julian giant cinnamon rolls and pulled out some bacon for me, I knew it would be a great day!

We ate our breakfast at Frederica Park. She let me play in the dog park while the boys kicked a soccer ball around on the field. This dog park has separate fenced areas for big dogs and small dogs. That’s not important to me, because I like to hang with the big dogs, but I know they scare some of the littler guys. There’s another dog park with a fenced in run at Epworth Park, a little dog called Bruno told me, but he said this was his favorite. Amy took us to see the fairy houses on a trail in the park too. She said there are great trails for walking and riding bikes on the island and more parks to explore too. Kristi and Sam were going to visit Christ Church Frederica today, another historic place on the island. Kristi said she wanted to walk through the cemetery and the Wesley Memorial Garden across the street to take pictures. They’re also going horseback riding, I heard Sam say, but I think that’s a surprise.

Amy took us on a hunt for tree spirits! She picked up a map from the Visitor’s Center in the Village and we went to find all the faces carved into trees. A couple stumped us, but the mermaid was easy to find. She also took us to see some “goddesses” at a place called Glynn Visual Arts near the airport. Some artists made them from scrap parts and they’re pretty cool. Amy is an artist too and she told Kristi the island is lucky to have so many talented and creative artists like Peggy Everett, Ella Cart, Ken Wallin, and Mitch Mercer, galleries like Anderson Fine Art and ArtTrends, and art shows in the Village almost every month. She told me I’d make a handsome subject, so I think she’s going to paint a picture of me for Kristi.

When Sam and Kristi came back, she showed off her new oyster bracelet and a sparkly ring Sam got her from Joseph Jewelers for their 10th anniversary. I heard her tell Amy he gave it to her on a sunset cruise and she cried. I”m sad that tomorrow is our last day here.

One of the Goddess installments at Glynn Visual Arts

Today I met the girl of my dreams and I became a Bark Ranger! But that’s not even the best news …

First, we had breakfast at a place called Sandcastle. Kristi and Sam said it’s changed a lot since they were here last, but they love the new look and menu. Colin said the waffles were awesome! My ears perked up when Kristi told a lady named Melissa that we’d be back often for sure. That means we must be coming to the island again soon!

Kristi wanted to go shopping at the Shops on Market Street, so Sam walked me around while she went in Planters Exchange and oohed and aahed over the shoes and bags at Shackelford. I looked for Bitsy’s friend Duchess at Ronne’s but I only saw humans. Colin sat under a tree and looked at the Passport for Preservation he got from the St. Simons Land Trust office. It has cool activities, like a scavenger hunt.

While we were up near the corner under the shady tree and Sam was talking to somebody about a new oyster bar named Dorothy’s, I saw her. She came out of a store called Simmer & Soak. Her name is Liza Jane, and her human, Jennie, owns the store. Liza Jane keeps her company and greets visitors. She’s an Old English Sheepdog and has the prettiest hair I’ve ever seen. Sigh. I’m in love.

Sam stopped to talk to Jennie and asked about kitchen remodeling. That’s weird. I don’t think she would come all the way to the mountains to fix up our kitchen. I don’t even think there’s anything wrong with our kitchen. Kristi met up with us and talked to Jennie too before going in to see her new showroom, and that’s when I heard the big news. But wait, I can’t tell you yet! Next we went to Fort Frederica. Sam says this is where it all began. A man named General Oglethorpe came from England to Savannah to establish the colony of Georgia in 1733. Three years later, he built Fort Frederica to defend the colony against Spanish attack from Florida. Maybe that has something to do with how Spanish Moss got its name! According to the humans at the fort, Fort Frederica combined both a military installation, with a settlement, the town of Frederica. Due to the Spanish threat only 75 miles away, General Oglethorpe surrounded the entire 40-acre area with an outer wall, called a rampart, and a dry moat. Colin says it sounds like a castle! Now the fort is a National Monument and, as part of the National Park Service, I can visit and be a Bark Ranger! Kristi says that it’s a special honor and if we follow the rules, I get a Bark Ranger badge to wear on my collar! Here are the requirements for Bark Rangers:

Bag your pet’s waste. Always leash your pet. Respect wildlife. Know where you can go.

I’ve got my badge and Colin is going to be a Junior Ranger too! We looked at the cannons and Colin asked lots of questions about what life was like for soldiers. He even tried on a red coat and hat. Sam said there’s another fort in Darien, called Fort King George, that he’ll take Colin to visit too. He told me I can’t be a Bark Ranger there though. Bummer.

After we got done at the fort, Sam drove us over to a place called Frederica so we could meet his friend Cole at the boathouse and go for a boat ride on the lake. Cole has a big yellow lab named Casey. He says he was just adopted and wants to be my best friend. I like the sound of that. When Sam put my new boat jacket from Island Dog on me, he patted my head and said, “I know I promised you a ride to see dolphins, buddy, but we’ll have to save that for another day.” I licked his face, because I knew the secret. We did some fishing, but not any catching. Casey was ready to help if they needed him to fetch anything in the water. He told me he loves to swim and catch. I think he’ll be the perfect best friend. I relaxed on Kristi’s lap and daydreamed about Liza Jane with ribbons in her hair.

Then Sam called Colin over and pointed to a pretty house on the lake with a big pool and outdoor fireplace and said “How would you like to live there?” Colin has always wanted to have a pool of his own, and shook his his yes. Sam ruffled his hair, and said, “Whew. It’s a good thing you said that, because it’s ours. Your mom and I decided it’s finally time to move to the island. We’ll be here for the 4th of July.” If Colin had a tail, it would have been wagging! It looks like we’ll have lots to explore in our new island home.

Simmer & Soak’s friendly greeter, Liza Jane, can’t wait for you to check out the new Showroom with her.

According to the Travel Association of America, approximately 30 million people travel with pets each year. Here are some helpful tips for traveling with pets:

Before Your Trip

Visit your veterinarian to be sure your dog is fit to travel and to get a health certificate, which is generally necessary for plane travel and boarding at your destination. If traveling out of the country, your dog may also need additional vaccinations.

If your dog isn’t used to traveling in the car or carrier, break them in gradually well in advance of the trip by taking short car rides. This will prepare them for car travel and let you see how your dog responds.

Before you book your flight, check with your airline to determine their policy for traveling with dogs. Policies can vary by airline on size of dog, breed, health certification requirements, prohibited months, and/or temperatures of travel, fees, and more. If possible, try to arrange for direct flights. Look up details (phone number, address, and hours) for a veterinary hospital close to your destination in case of an emergency or download an app like Pet MD that finds the emergency hospital closest to your location.

What to Pack

• Bowls for water and food • Familiar Food and treats • Leash • Collar with up-to-date tags (including how to contact you while you are traveling) • Pet carrier • Blankets/bedding to make the carrier more comfortable • Favorite toys and comfort items • Waste disposal bags • First aid kit and any medications • Copy of medical records/health certificate • Current photo in case your dog gets lost

Traveling by Plane

Be prepared for airport security. Your dog may need to walk through the metal detector with you or undergo a secondary screen which includes a visual and physical inspection. You may need to remove your dog from the carrier so the carrier can go through the X-Ray machine. Consider bringing a leash to walk your dog through the metal detector and ensure your dog stays by your side during the chaos of airport security!

Traveling by Car

If your dog is riding in a carrier, it is important to make sure it is secured to the car. Another option is to use a restraining harness that connects to the seat belt that protect against flying forward during sudden stopping or an accident.

Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle. The temperature inside of a car can rise very quickly, even with the windows cracked.

Make frequent pit-stops. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends stopping every two to three hours for your dog to use the bathroom and get some exercise.

Keep an eye on your snacks and keep toxic foods like grapes, raisins, chocolate, and choking hazards away from your dog.

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A Calm, Cool Celebration

My new best friend Casey told me that it gets pretty loud and crazy on St. Simons Island during the 4th of July. He says the fireworks scare him, so I thought I’d share some expert-approved tips from the American Kennel Club for how to help keep dogs like Casey safe with the holiday coming up.

1. Make Sure Your Pet Has

Proper ID. Ensure that the information on your pet’s collar is current and make sure your dog is microchipped and has a

GPS device. This way, if they escape, there’s a better chance they’ll get returned.

2. Keep Your Dog Away From

Fireworks. Don’t take your dogs to fireworks shows or leave them outside during fireworks. Keeping your dog inside in the evening on the

Fourth of July is the best idea, especially if you fear they might not react well.

3. Create a Safe Haven For

Your Dog. Create a calming place where your dog will (hopefully) feel comfortable.

Try setting up an area in a quiet space away from windows, such as a basement, bathroom, or a larger closet, so that they can’t hear or see fireworks. Use a crate if that’s where your dog feels safe, and make sure to provide your pup with familiar toys and treats.

4. Play White Noise. You can try leaving a fan, TV, or radio on to help mask the sounds of the fireworks. 5. Comfort Your Dog. If you can, try staying home with your dog or leaving them in the hands of a trusted person. It’s important to remain calm and use a soothing, even tone. Petting them can be comforting — long, slow, firm strokes along the length of their body are typically very soothing. Avoid seeming frantic or anxious.

This just feeds a dog’s fear.

6. Walk Them Before the

Fireworks Start. Head out for a long walk before the sun sets to increase the chances that you’ll avoid the sounds. When you do go out, you’ll want to ensure your dog is secure on a leash before your walk. Doublecheck the fit of your dog’s collar or harness before going outside. A leash, even if you have a fenced-in area, is a great added safety measure to help keep your dog close to you and under control should the dog become startled. of fireworks, try playing sounds of fireworks (softly) so your dog is used to hearing them. You may even feed your dog treats while doing this. The volume should be low enough that your dog can notice it, but does not show signs of stress like panting, pacing, leaving the area or trying to hide. Increase the volume gradually, vary the source of the sound, and use different recordings.

8. Talk to Your Vet. If your pet’s anxiety is severe, consider booking an appointment with your vet so you can discuss a medication that could help soothe your dog’s anxiety.

7. Desensitize Your

Dog to the Sounds of

Fireworks. If you think your dog will freak out at the sound