Paige Strayer likes reggae so much that she named one of her best friends after a favorite musician. Her dog, Marley, not only listens to music around the house with Strayer, but the two frequently head out to parks around their Orange County, Calif., home to catch live concerts.
"It's like the ideal situation," says Strayer, who enjoys their outings so much she maintains a list of local dog-friendly concerts on her Web site (www.ocdogfriendly.com). "I'm always playing music and she's always happy to be around it. Wherever I'm going, she's happy to tag along."
See it together
Want to catch a performance with your pooch? You know your buddy best, so make sure it's an environment where he will be comfortable. Many outdoor venues are open to leashed dogs, so call ahead for updated policies. Some venues are even near areas where both of you can stretch your legs after taking in the music, such as a trail or a garden.
As you think about warm-weather entertainment that's just around the corner, here are a few concert destinations that draw in dogs and people. Because events and policies change, call ahead.
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park
(0 reviews)
Portland, OR 97204
In early summer, the City of Portland puts out a brochure with all of its summer music events, including those you can attend with your dog. With more than 30 areas set aside for you to play, there is plenty to do before and after the show.
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
(0 reviews)
Richmond, VA 23228
On certain summer nights, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Va. opens its doors to pets and people for Fidos After Five. The minimal admission cost helps local animals in need and paves the way for two and four-legged music lovers to take in jazz together on the garden's large terraced lawn.
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Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
(0 reviews)
Hartford, CT 06103
If you and your canine companion are acoustic aficionados, look for events such as Guitar Under the Stars, held at the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford, Conn. "All our events are pet-friendly," says Tricia Theobald, who manages communications for the park. "People bring their dogs and they love it."