Have you had a Siberian Husky? A Disney movie called Togo tells the true story about the real dog that ran the Iditarod–before it was the famous race it is today–to deliver diphtheroid antiserum from Nome, Alaska. The small-statured dog was an escape artist, Seppala couldn’t keep him caged. The heart of a lion with the soul of a racehorse, this dog practically single-handedly completed the journey in record time. Togo is remembered in Alaska for making the longest run and for being the true hero of Nome, and his offspring became prized by mushers worldwide for their sledding capabilities. Watch it when you are ready for an emotional 114 minutes.
We didn’t know it at the time, but my mother found one of these dogs. Actually, as is usual for mothers with sons that can’t seem to leave things alone, my brother originally brought her home, after she had escaped from the backyard of her owner around the corner. The owner really loved the dog and took her back, only to have her escape many more times before conceding defeat and giving her over to my mother.
She really did escape from every room or yard and tried to eat her way out of cars. Her name was Spirit, appropriately named for her wild nature to run like no other, and she was amazing! My mother took her everywhere, not because she really wanted to have a dog locked in a car while she did her shopping, but because you couldn’t leave her at home. My mother often did not come in with us if she couldn’t find an adequately shaded parking space. It wasn’t like it is now, where most establishments allow dogs, assistants with papers, or not.
Many places will allow them in with you, and here are some of the tops for each area of the Emerald Valley:
Salem
- McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House
- Gilgamesh Brewing
- Venti’s Cafe + Taphouse
- Annette’s Westgate Cafe
- Santiam Brewing
Corvallis
Albany
Pet Friendly Parks
- Orchard Heights Park – 1165 Orchard Heights Rd NW, Salem Daily during Sunrise to Sunset
- Keizer Rapids Dog Park – 2029-1990 Chemawa Rd N, Salem 24 hours
- Croisan Creek Trail – Salem
- Silverton Dog Park
- Monmouth Dog Park – 1164 Alberta Ave E, Monmouth
- Albany Dog Park at Timber Linn Park – Price Rd SE, Albany
If you are wondering what you can do to make going to the park a little more enjoyable for your dog, here are 20 great outdoor ideas! May your dog enjoy the welcoming areas, as I am sure, Spirit would have if she was with us today!
