DAY TEN
WHAT: “Dot Dogs” Shampoo Bar — handmade soap for your urban hound.
WHERE: The HomeStretch in Lower Mills
HOW MUCH: $5.50
FOR: Anyone who loves their four-legged friend … but not the pungent odor that clings to them after a roll in the dirt or a swim in the harbor. Looking for more than a stocking stuffer? Try pairing it with a Do-It-Yourself-DogWash gift certificate from Dot Dogs near Savin Hill
Dot Dogs Soap
Dorchester super-star, Sierra Rothberg (of Planet GOGA fame), organized this sweet event on Saturday. Don’t forget to BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)! Continue reading
…dotted by Meghann
Photo courtesy of The Metro Mutt
A few weeks ago, we gave you a listing of some of Dorchester’s favorite dog parks. But just what, people asked, was a “Dot dog” to do when he or she was in need of a walk? A good meal? A little retail therapy? Good clean fun after a romp in the mud (otherwise known as a bath)? A weekend without the owners?
We’ve rounded up some of our near and dear favorites (i.e. in Dorchester proper and just beyond) in each category:
Boon Dog: No website that we could find but we’ve heard good things.
Proprietor/Walker: Nina
Ph: 617-686-5408
Boston Marathon Dogs: The website isn’t the most informative but just look the company up on Yelp and you’ll see that she is a well-loved walker in Dorchester and Boston beyond.
Proprietor/Walker: Eve Sandoval
Ph: 857-928-0183
K9 Company: We’ve got a soft spot for Sandy in our house. When our regular walker couldn’t walk our dog Penny, Sandy came to the rescue and Penny adores her. She takes her dogs to the same park (Victory Park) that our walker does and we’ve seen here there: it’s penultimately clear that she loves everything on four legs.
Proprietor/Walker: Sandy Hudson
Ph: 617-895-8456
Kat’s Dog Walking: We’ve heard lots of positive stuff about Kat and her way with dogs. And she’s another Victory Park walker (always a plus in our book).
Proprietor/Walker: Katherine Heatley
Ph: 617-763-5958
Madog Dog Walking: No website that we could find but we’ve heard good things.
Proprietor/Walker: Ania Netzel
Ph: 617-909-8597
The Metro Mutt: Rob Murphy and his dog “Dixie” are amongst some of our favorite 2-and 4-legged Dorchester residents since they faithfully exercise our dog “Penny” (thus saving our sanity) several times a week. A “walk” with Rob can mean many things depending on what you want but the service is great and the texted photos of your dog hamming it up for his camera are priceless.
Proprietor/Walker: Rob Murphy
Ph:617-827-6212
Outbound Hounds: Angila specializes in off-leash walks at some of Boston’s best parks (yes, Victory Park included); the photos online of doggies at play make your heart melt.
Proprietor/Walker: Angila
Ph: 617-997-8766
Photo courtesy of The Metro Mutt
Boston’s Red Dog Complex Daycare: A brand new facility that opened in 2010 and located near the South Bay Shopping Center, this new facility is for the pooch who wants it all under one roof. it offers an aquatics center, indoor and outdoor play areas, grooming…even massage & reiki are offered.
274 Southampton
Boston, MA 02118
Ph: 617-427-2225
The Dog House By Dogs R Us: Located on Pope’s Hill right down the street fromt Doggie Styles, this relatively new facility includes two separate play spaces so that dogs of different sizes and temperament cab be grouped together to maximize their day care experienc. It is a cage free facility and also offers two 20 minute excursions around the Pope’s Hill neighborhood during the day
168 Neponset Ave
Boston, MA 02122
Ph: 617-506-0639
Photo courtesy of The Metro Mutt
Skipton Pet Center: Part of the Red Dog Complex, this place has it all. Literally. Any possible high quality dog food, toy, leash, pet supply, etc. that you could be looking for…it’s all there.
274 Southampton
Boston, MA 02118
Ph: 617-427-2225
Doggie Styles Pet Grooming Salon: Located in a cute storefront just off of Morrissey Boulevard on Pope’s Hill, this groomer’s services include shampoos, hair cuts and flea treatments, exotic styling, pedicures, skin care and moisturizing treatments, hydrobaths, teeth cleaning
170 Neponset Ave
Dorchester, MA 02124
Ph: 617-265-1033
Dot Dogs: Located in the Savin Hill area of Dorchester, this sweet little shop offers do-it-yourself washing to professional grooming, treats, toys, food and apparel
916 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02124
Ph: 617-288-3647
Boston’s Red Dog Complex Daycare: (See listing under Doggie Daycare for facility description)
274 Southampton
Boston, MA 02118
Ph: 617-427-2225
The Dog House By Dogs R Us: (See listing under Doggie Daycare for facility description)
168 Neponset Ave
Boston, MA 02122
Ph: 617-506-0639
K9 Company: Sandy will come, pick your dog up at your house and take him/her to her own house to play and be loved while you’re away. It’s where our dog Penny goes when we’re on vacation and honestly; we think she’s a little sad when we come home since she knows the K9 party is over.
Proprietor/Walker: Sandy Hudson
Ph: 617-895-8456
The Metro Mutt: (See listing under Dog walkers for description)
83 Dix St. #4
Dorchester, MA 02122
Ph: 617-827-6212
Outbound Hounds: Angila will take your dog into her own house to play and be loved while you’re away. Cage-free and crate boarding are both available.
Proprietor/Walker: Angila
Ph: 617-997-8766
…dotted by Meghann
Hunting for squirrels at Dorchester Park’s Baseball field
As the owners of a border collie/cattle dog mix who needs LOTS of excercise, knowing the ebb & flow of our local dog parks is pretty much a necessity for the sanity of everyone in our household. One of the first things we did when we moved here was to head online to track down where to go for friendly canine “playdates”, where to find a dogwalker/dogsitter, et al…but the lack of information was so frustrating that we were reduced to rolling down our windows and calling across streets when we saw people out walking their pooches. It was not cool.
In order to save others from the red-faced prospect of begging complete strangers for their inside info, here’s a run-down of some of Dorchester’s most popular doggie meet-and-greet areas.
1.) NeponsetTrail:
Type: Paths
Time to Congregate: All day
Getting There: There are parking lots at PJP Park and another off of Hilltop Street — across from the Martin playground.
Overall Vibe: Primarily paths where dogs should be leashed (because of large numbers of people running/walking/biking by throughout the day) but there are a couple of open fields where we’ve seen people playing fetch.
2.) DorchesterPark:
Type: Paths & open areas.
Time to Congregate: Early morning (around 10 AM on weekends) and evening though you’ll probably run into a dog or two anytime of the day.
Getting There: Dogs & owners tend to congregate by the baseball field most easily accessed by parking on Dorchester Avenue and walking down the paths.
Overall Vibe: Dogs tend to be leashed on the paths but are able to run and congregate at the baseball field. And we’ve heard rumors about fun weekend “Happy Hour”-style evening romps…complete with cocktail shakers.
3.) Garvey Playground:
Type: Primarily leashed sniffn’ pee.
Time to Congregate: Early morning & evening
Getting There: Easily accessed by either Morrissey Blvd or Neponset Ave.
Overall Vibe: It’s pretty low-key; dogs tend to be leashed…although there are the occasional ball-and-frisbee crazed canines about as well.
4.) Tenean Beach:
Type: Beach & water.
Time to Congregate: Early morning
Getting There: Just off of Tenean St. which can be accessed b Morrissey Blvd heading North.
Overall Vibe: Good place for an early morning beach/water game of fetch; there are never a ton of dogs so there’s plenty of room to romp.
5.) Victory Park:
Type: Paths, open areas & water.
Time to Congregate: All day.
Getting There: Parking lot is accessed off of Victory road (accessible from Morrissey Blvd NORTH) and exit 13 off of 93 North)
Overall Vibe: A popular dog haven with open areas and easy water access right near the famous gas tank. People & dogs tend to congregate in the open field towards the southern tip of the“island” and it’s a fun atmosphere (rumors of “Happy Hour” style late afternoon romps abound here as well). Beware the trips at low tide…the smell can be strong and it will cling to your dog!
6.) Malibu Beach:
Type: Beach& water.
Time to Congregate: Early morning/evening though there will likely be 1-2 dogs there at any given time of the day.
Getting There:
Overall Vibe: Good place for an early morning beach/water game of fetch; primarily leashed on the beach and paths.
The paths at Dorchester Park
Dot Spots 