The Mesa Trail is the kind of trail where you’ll want to keep your eyes open. It’s a trail where you’ll get incredible views of the Flatirons and a chance to see a lot of wildlife. Other than the dogs you will probably see on the trail (because the trail is dog-friendly), you’ll see falcons, songbirds, coyotes, deer, and red-tailed hawks. Black bears and mountain lions have also been spotted in this area as well, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll encounter either of these ferocious beasts on your trip to the Mesa trail. The trail itself runs along the base... Read More

Colorado has a lot of mountains, and sometimes you may want something a bit more relaxing than scaling the flatirons. That’s what Coot Lake is for. It’s a flat lake area that houses coots, mallards, and lots of other ducks. A lot of the lake actually acts as a wildlife preserve for wetland species, so expect to see a fair amount of ducks and birds. You may even see a Northern Harrier, which is the most threatened nesting bird species in Boulder County. It’s also a very popular gathering place for dog walkers and runners, who can be seen pacing the trails in the area. Trails from... Read More

There are very few summer activities as romanticized as the classic picnic. A red checkered blanket and some iced tea can be the perfect way to spend and afternoon. Picnics like these can only really be ruined by two things–a parade of particularly vicious ants or having to jockey for blanket space. Chautauqua is a lovely place to enjoy some time lounging in the sun, but sometimes the hordes of sun seekers are just too much. To avoid lugging your wicker basket across miles of crowded lawn, check out a few of Boulder’s lesser known sunning spots. Beach Park Nestled just a few blocks down... Read More

Photo credit: Sherrie Stille  Read More

When oddly specific things become public problems, local legislation steps in to help. Today we will look at a few odds and ends Boulder city laws had to smooth out over the years. Hopefully we will boost today’s water cooler conversations. Nobody Owns Fifi Dogs in Boulder do not have “owners” according to any public ordinances. You can only be the “guardian” of a dog. This law requiring all public signage to call dog owners “guardians” is the result of animal rights activist calling for reform in the rhetoric surrounding pet relationships. It’s... Read More

Almost every day, rain (or snow) or shine, Lydia takes her dog, Jack, to Chautauqua Park for some outside play time. Living only a short drive from the park, she has great access to all of the trails and wide open space that the park has to offer. Lydia grew up around Boulder area. She moved to Oregon for a few years for a previous job, but missed the Colorado mountains too much. But after those few quick years, she moved right back to the area, bought a quaint home in North Boulder where she now lives with her husband, her dog, Jack, and her cat. Lydia spends a lot of time outside hiking,... Read More

Looking to grab a quick drink but don’t want to leave the pup at home? Check out one of these dog friendly breweries in Boulder this weekend!   Boulder Beer Company – 2880 Wilderness Pl.   Wild Woods Brewery – 5460 Conestoga Ct.   Upslope Brewing Company – 1898 S Flatiron Ct. Unit 20   Stein Brewing – 2516 49th   Asher Brewing Company – 4699 Nautilus Ct.   Grab a leash, a couple treats, and your 4 legged best friend and enjoy a nice cold one in the best city on earth!    Read More

A hiker was walking with her dog on Royal Arch Trail on Wednesday off-leash when the dog decided to chase after a squirrel. In the chase, the dog fell into a rockslide area slope, but did not receive any life-threatening injuries. Open Space and Mountain Parks Rangers and Boulder County Emergency Services rescuers were able to get the dog back on the trail quickly, where the dog was happily reunited with its owner. If you do choose to have your dog off-leash on trails, be sure that you follow local leash laws and are mindful of other hikers and animals that may be on the trails.  Read More

Strolling with best buddy. To see full picture, please click on the date. Photo by Brad Fagan.  Read More

Hi there! I’m Maliika! I’m a Denver transplant. My mom brought me from very far away. I’m not sure where here is but I like it so far. Snow is fun. There’s so many trails that are good for a dog like me. It was scary coming here though. I had to spend the night at an airport somewhere. It was very strange and lonely. But Mom made sure that I was ok, and now we’re here and it’s great. My favorite thing is anything that I can go chase. Currently pine cones are extra fun. I’ll chase one for hours if you keep throwing it for me. You are going to throw it for me right?  Read More

Tongues out for long autumn walks in the grassiest of parks! Meet Ouija, a super sweet one-year-old Goldendoodle from Michigan who is always ready for adventure. Boulder is a perfect place for Ouija because of the abundance of people that shower him with love and the fact that it is so dog friendly. He can go into tons of different stores and places without having to worry that he will be left outside. Find more of Ouija’s Boulder escapades on instagram @ouija.doodle.reads  Read More

“Bark, bark, grrrrr, bark!” That is Jazmin’s way of saying, “hello!” On another amazing, sunny Boulder County day, I ran into Jazmin and her people, Vicki and Tanya, taking a stroll along beautiful Coal Creek Trail.  They were out trying to wear Jazmin out a little bit! She is a Golden Retriever – Husky mix and loving this weather, just check out the smile on her furry face! Two years ago, Tanya and Vicki moved back to Colorado after living in Las Vegas for 10 years. They live in Lafayette and love their fur baby, Jazmin. Vicki tends bar in Denver when she isn’t... Read More

Say hello to Cherie! Taking her dog Emery on walks in our amazing state is just one of the things this Florida native loves to do since moving to Colorado 2 years ago. “The magnificent, incredible views and weather are unbeatable!” she said when I asked what drew her here. Cherie manages two full service salons in Longmont and Ft. Collins which keep her extremely busy but when she does have a bit of downtime she heads west. Hiking, driving through the mountains and camping are all things she loves to do with her family. When she can’t get outdoors, relaxing or working on ceramics are two... Read More

As I was walking around to some shops, I stumbled upon a new, local pet store in downtown Louisville. When I walked inside to check it out, I met Steve and his friendly pup, Hank. Steve is the owner of Louie’s Pet Supply, which opened in Louisville last February. Steve was born and raised in Boulder and after living in Denver for 20 years, he decided to move back up north to jump start his business. Before opening Louie’s, Steve worked in the pet food manufacturing industry, but wanted to make his own company focusing on pet retail and all natural pet food. Along with his store, Steve... Read More

If you’re still looking for a Christmas gift to get your friends with dogs, it may be wise to give them a leash. That, or maybe some classes. Effective on January 1st, Boulder will be introducing new requirements for the Voice and Sight Control program. What are the new requirements? Well, here’s the rundown: What it is: Dog owners who wish to walk their dogs without a leash must attend an education class about Boulder’s new expectations. In return, dog owners will receive a special blue tag for their furry companion, which will allow dogs to be legally off-leash. What to... Read More