GOOD NEWS! FLORIDA LEGISLATION INVITES DOGS TO DINE IN RESTAURANTS

Senate bill 1172 discussed by the Florida Senate in the Spring of 2006 allows eating establishments with outdoor seating areas to accomodate diners with leashed dogs.  A local permit is required,  so don't assume every place with outdoor chairs will welcome you with your pooch.  Want to know the details?  Read all the gory details of the legislation. 

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Miami Dog Friendly

Want to take your dog to the beach? Need a veterinarian open 24 hours? Where can I take my dog to dinner? In this section Browser and I list our favorites, and highlight the dangers posed by the Bufo toad, which if you and your pet are new to the area, you need to know about.

Please feel free to make suggestions on how to improve this section!

24 hour emergency veterinary care

Miami Vet Specialist. (305) 665-2820.  This is the number given by Browser’s veterinarian, who used to provide excellent 24 hour care.  We have yet to try it out, fortunately.

restaurants in Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove is Browser’s main haunt, and with its hectic night life and the availability of sidewalk seating, it is a good place to take your well behaved pet out for dinner, and people – and dog – watch!

Bouchon du Grove. 3430 Main Highway.  Lively French Bistro with a few tables almost on the street.  Be sure to call ahead for a table where your pet can comfortably observe the street and not be under the wait staff’s feet.  305 448 6060.

Greenstreet café.  3468 Main Highway.  Lots of tables on the street allow for comfortable dining with your dog.  Very popular for brunch on the weekends, so expect a wait if you sleep in.  305 444 0244. 

Le Moulin du Grove.  3425 Main Highway.  Just across the street from the Bouchon du Grove, the Moulin offers a few tables on the sidewalk. 305 774 1111.

Scotty’s Landing. 3381 Pan American Drive. A less ritzy locale with great views of the bay and relatively inexpensive beverages.  Tucked behind the marina/ dry dock facility next to City Hall.  305 854 2626.

dog parks

Kennedy Park, 2400 South Bayshore Drive.  With 29 acres right on the bay, Kennedy Park provides excellent views of the water and provides a fenced in area for dogs.   

Blanche Park, intersection of Shipping and Virginia avenues in Center Grove.  This 1.5 acre is divided into a playground area for children and a fenced off area for dogs. 

“Hobie Beach” – Rickenbacker Causeway, Nicknamed “Hobie Beach” because of the availability of catamarans for rental.  Located on your right hand side as you cross the Causeway to Key Biscayne.  Miami’s only park with beach and water access that is open to dogs.  If you have a water loving dog, it is worth every penny of the toll.

Check out the City of Miami Parks and Recreation department website for its section on dog parks.  Please remember to clean up after your dog, it will help to make more public spaces available to our pets. 

Pet sitting services

Love A Pet.  (305) 665 3854.  Joel and Gail, two South Grove residents and friends of Browser, offer loving care for animals- from daily walks to in home pet and plant care while you are away.  Insured and bonded. 

local dangers - the Bufo Toad

If you are new to South Florida and have a dog, you will want to begin training your dog to leave the small critters alone.  The non native Bufo toad, Bufo Marinus, poses a fatal threat to your dog.  If you suspect poisoning, the first step is to rinse your pet’s mouth, taking care not to let him drink the rinse water, followed by an immediate trip to the vet.  In researching this danger, Browser and I found a helpful list of possible symptoms and treatment options, and a detailed article on the Bufo toad which explains more about this menace, and also helps clear up the myths about its hallucinogenic properties (don’t lick it!).