Where to pamper your dog on Long Island
Jackie Barbour adjusts a tie and collar on Jazz, a Finnish lapphund, at The Classy Canine in Southampton, Dec. 17, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan
There's always the dog park, but pups have many other options for spoiling and socializing — a day at the spa, a guided group walk, catching up with other canines at a "yappy hour."
On a recent Thursday morning, Tinkerbelle, a 5-pound papillon/Maltese from Hewlett is getting pampered with a blueberry facial (good for mouth stain) and a deep-cleaning paw treatment at The Classy Canine in Southampton. A former shelter dog, she's landed modeling gigs and appeared in Harper's Bazaar and In Style magazines — and thus, is accustomed to the VIP treatment. Just don't call her a diva.
"It was a wonderful experience," says the dog's owner, Sam Carrell of Hewlett. And social, too, with time to schmooze a Shih Tzu and Finnish lapphund also in for treatments.
Here are upcoming workshops, events and places that you and your four-legged friend can experience together in the New Year.
WHEN | WHERE 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday at Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead.
INFO 631-298-0075, marthaclaravineyards.com
ADMISSION Donation of a nonperishable dog or cat food item
Grab the leash and take your furry friend on a 2-mile guided walk through the vineyard with like-minded pals. You'll see the property's stately main house — The Entenmann Estate — and the various farm animals that live on the grounds, ranging from Clydesdale and other thoroughbred horses to donkeys, emus and llama. Walks cover "what changes can be seen in the vineyard and the changes to come. Whether the vineyard is in its dormancy or the heart of harvest," says the organizer, Kelly Tuthill. Post-walk, owners and their dogs can stick around for live music and wine tastings (strictly water for the furry-folk).
DAY SPA
WHEN | WHERE 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays at The Classy Canine, 468 County Rd. 39, Southampton. Appointments required.
INFO 631-283-1306, classycaninehamptons.com
COST $5-$25 per treatment
Owner Kelly Scammell offers pooches spa treatments fit for humans. There's a "fur butter" hot towel wrap that opens pores and penetrates hair shafts to deep condition the coat; a mineral mud scrub removes dirt but also soothes itching and shedding.
YAPPY HOUR
WHEN | WHERE 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at The Harbor Pet, 10 Front Street, Greenport. Walk-ins welcome.
INFO 631-477-1518, harborpet.net
ADMISSION Donation
Harbor Pet's "Yappy Hours" are a place for pets (and their people) to meet and mingle. Treats are served — think Bark-Scotti for dogs (a crumbly peanut butter pumpkin treat) and cheese with crackers for humans. "It's like a cocktail hour for dogs," says shop owner Kim Loper. And there's always a charitable bend. This month's event is a coat and blanket drive for the shelter dogs at North Fork Animal Welfare League's Southold and Riverhead locations (sizes 22-inches and up are needed).
DOG THERAPY
WHEN | WHERE By appointment.
COST $165 private 1-hour session
INFO 631-768-9172, pattygibbons.com
If you've ever wanted to know what your dog may be thinking, Islip-based animal communicator Patty Gibbons is willing to translate. For the past decade, Gibbons has worked with all kinds of animals in hopes of helping owners sort out problems. Says Gibbons, "Most people call on me when they are dealing with health and behavioral issues or want to connect with the animal that has moved on and want closure."
A GYM — FOR DOGS
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends at The Martial Arfs: Dog Training & Fitness Centers, 251 Voice Rd., Carle Place.
INFO 516-280-8331, martialarfs.com
ADMISSION Classes start at $30.
This is a place to get your dog panting. The 4,200-square-foot facility is a full-on gym for dogs. Fido can take classes in obedience, agility training or socialization — and yes, there are programs for pups that need to shed a few pounds. The venue's equipment includes a heated exercise pool, a treadmill for dogs (owners can walk beside them). Founder Jeris Pugh gets pooches moving in classes featuring moves inspired by martial arts. For a true splurge: Consider hosting a two-hour doggy birthday party for your pet — and his friends (from $299 for up to 10 dogs).
A previous version of this story gave a wrong hometown for Tinkerbelle, the 5-pound papillon/Maltese.