FEATURES
A city for dogs Get your paws on Mesquite before the cat's out of the bag -------------------------------------BY: TIFFANY DITTO Staff Writer --------------------------------------
Photo courtesy of TownePlace Suites
Every dog lover dreams of living in a place where their dog is treated like the son or daughter that their parents know them to be, and that place is Mesquite, Texas. The city of Mesquite is branding itself the most dog-friendly city in Texas. Mesquite boasts a decreasing euthanasia rate in its shelter, a 30,000-square-foot off-leash dog park, dog-friendly hotels, and will host the Deck the Paws Pet Expo this December. ?We?re a very diverse community and we are a very family-friendly community,? says Amber Patterson, City of Mesquite Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing coordinator. ?We know that your dog is a part of your family. Just because your dog has four legs doesn?t mean they?re not your children? we want your pet to be along for the ride too.?
A PLACE TO STAY Assistant general manager of TownePlace Suites Conner Reyer, knows what it?s like to work at his computer while a guest?s dog takes a nap in his lap. TownePlace Suites is a unique hotel experience in that dogs are allowed to check in a share a bed with their family members just like they do at home. The hotel has no weight limit, so even the biggest of fur babies are welcome. But, there is a two pet limit per room. Guests are also required to pay $100 one time pet fee, regardless 14 | TEXASDOGMAGAZINE.COM
of the length of stay, for cleaning after checkout. Reyer says the hotel?s pet-friendly policy brings travelers to the hotel for short visits, but it?s also a haven for those who have been displaced by natural disasters and have nowhere else to turn. ?Occasionally we have business travelers that like to travel with their pets, or families that are relocating from city to city and just passing
coverage that will pay for the hotel stay, the hotel will occasionally offer discounted rates to those affected by disasters. Reyer says the average stay at Town Place Suites is 37 nights, and for those displaced by disasters it could be up to 6 months. However, pets won?t mind. The hotel boasts an outdoor area where pets and their owners can relax or play. Hotel staff has also been known to dish out a treat or two to a furry guest.
through,? he says. ?However, the majority are from families that are displaced on insurance claims. We
?At our hotel, we welcome all animals with lots of love and treats,? Reyer says. ?Being cooped up in the room all
have partnerships with a variety of housing agencies that we work with directly. Those agencies work with the
day can be stressful on the dogs, so we've been known to take dogs out to go to the bathroom with the guest
insurance adjusters to housing for the family.?
permission, or sometimes they have hung out with myself in the back office while I work.?
provide
For those who don?t have insurance
