I think Chatt was closer since ppl are coming from Georgia and some South Carolina and maybe Flordia. And Alabama.

Ok. We won't try The Ark. What about Renaissance park? Is that a good place? We can try to book their pavilion. If not, then we can go to an outdoor dog park. Also, do you mind talking to the owner of PDX? If they know you maybe they will let us rent the room later in the day.

excitted
 

Well pigeon forge can be an option....i have talked to my parents and we can have it there and pet friendly for everyone....have the heaters,location,availability for everyone....let me know....i can have it all ready the first weekend in dec. beautiful that time of year there. rentals are homes the same price as motels...lots of room for our furry babies. hope this might help. if venders are comming..can advertise at the office for you also.also have pavillion out doors or can get an indoor invirement if needed. they have alot of pull in that area.

tricia

tricia

crime rate is high in chatt. do we really want to stay with our fur babies in a high crime area?

Where ever we meet, it's gonna be close for some and further for others and I'm gonna be there irregardless of where. Pigeon Forge is very, very nice. It can be pricey but if you bring your own food and get cabins, which can sleep LOTS of people it can be cheaper than a motel. It's kinda hard to get them at this time of year too. Imagine all the gorgeous pics you could get of your fur babies in the Great Smoky Mountains in the fall!

Chattanooga is like all cities, it has its bad areas. As long as you stay out of those areas, you'll be fine. For example, one rule of thumb to use there is never cross McCallie :eek:
The city has been doing a lot in the past few years to clean up some of the bad areas and Chattanooga is a big tourist area so I'm not too concerned.

Do you work at Bone Appetit? I love that place, great treats and such cute stuff! That is one of my must stop places when I'm in town! I really miss living there.

Who ever told you that?! I've never had a problem here, ESPECIALLY on the North Shore. If this was a high crime rate area, I wouldn't live here in the middle of it with all six of my dogs.

If Bev told you 9-12, she probably has something else going on that afternoon. More than likely agility. They stay extremely busy up there, even on weekends. It's too bad it wasn't held here when they first opened and no one really knew about them yet! lol We could have had any time of day!

I used to work at both Groomingdale's AND Bone Appetit, but once Andrea (The Groomer) bought Groomingdale's from them, so they could focus on the boutique and not have to worry about handing dogs out for grooming all the time, I started working full time for Andrea at Groomingdale's bathing, primping, and finally learning to actually cut and groom dogs. It's fantastic. I take my guys with my just about every day!

I'm going to try and remember to go walk over to Renaissance park either tomorrow after work or Thursday and scout it out and see if I can find some info on renting the pavillion there and if it's heated and all that good stuff. Whatever place we do plan on having it, let's make sure we get a for sure head count and I'll bring some bakery treats from Bone Appetit for all of our babies to enjoy!

The reason that they couldn't give us the room later is because someone isn't there past 12, but that's ok. That would be great if you could look into the pavilion. I wasn't sure if I could find the number and call this week. If the pavilion doesn't work out the we could still go to a park. Let's all hope for an unseasonably warm day on Dec. 1:hands: :hands: Too bad the training center I know in Knoxville that rents their room isn't located in Chattanooga:rolleyes: It would have been the perfect place.

Sorry...I'm joining the thread late and didn't read through all the posts...

Has the place/time/date for this meetup been set?

I see Chattanooga....that would be really nice since it's only 2 1/2 hrs from me.:D (Depeding on the details, of course.)

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days guys! I've been sick with a cold so I have yet to make it down to the park to see about the pavillion. Since PDX probably won't work b/c of the early time, the park is probably the next best shot. It may be chilly, but we can set up some x-pens (for those who have them) and let our babies all play and feel safe that they are secure. And if the pavilion is a possiblity then that is even better!!

Chattanooga is a safe place and a beautiful tourist city. As in any growing city there can be high crimes in certain areas. The city has really worked hard to make downtown Chattanooga a welcome place to tourists as well as native Chattanoogans. It has gone for a place where no one went after dark to a total safe and beautiful experience 24 hours a day. Downtown Chattanooga is totally safe and a very popular and busy area. Along the Riverfront...there are so many breath-taking scenes. It is a beautiful city with everything to offer.

There is an outdoor dog part on Broad Street by Finley Stadium. It is divided into two parts...one for small dogs and one for larger ones. The park next to Coolidge Park would be an interesting place. The last I knew you could walk your dog on Walnut Street Bridge as long as you cleaned up after them. Don't know if you can still do it or not. I liked the suggestion of contacting Parks and Recreation for information about where dogs can go and can't go.

Chattanooga does have Four Paws and a Tail, a wonderful bakery and boutique. There is also a bakery on McCallie Avenue and the doggie shop on the North Shore.(Bone Apetit)

If you wanted to find a sitter for your dogs Chattanooga has the Tennessee Aquarium which is well worth the visit. There is Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Riverpark. Chattanooga is becoming more dog friendly but I am not sure right now exactly where dogs are allowed and where they are not welcome. The North Shore (north of the Tennessee River) is like a city in itself. It has a lot of quaint little shops and places to visit that you would not find just anywhere.

We live l5 minutes south of Chattanooga and spend most of our "doggy time" in North Georgia. If the Meet Up is held in Chattanooga Alyssa and Emily Kate would love to come. Look forward to finding out when and where it will be.

Nice post! Chattanooga is one of my favorite places! I've always wanted to move back there. You're right about downtown. I remember when you wouldn't dare go downtown after 6:00. But now the area is just gorgeous with renewed life and I never worry about my safety there as long as I stay out of certain areas but even those areas are becoming better every day thanks to the city's hard work.

The riverwalk is amazing and is a must to do! Rock City and Ruby Falls are just so so IMHO. It would be nice to go if you've never been before esp for families. I adore the walking bridge (walnut street bridge), it is easily my favorite place in the city. My favorite thing to do is walk down the bridge and then shop at all the cute little places on the other side. They have wonderful little eclectic shops there with unique items that are great for Xmas gifts. I would love to know if dogs are still allowed on the bridge. I know that dogs are not technically allowed at the park below though I have seen small dogs there before and think that it may be the same thing with the bridge. Not that we could have the meet up there but it would be a really fun thing to do with the babies while you are there. (If you go there, you have to see the carousel which is over a 100 years old and has hand carved horses. It is amazing!) I'll most likely make a weekend of it and shop for Xmas.

Unfortuantely, dogs are no longer allowed on the Walnut Street Bridge nor are they anymore allowed on the Riverwalk. We're fighting that HARD though!!

The riverwalk too! Thanks for the info, that was another one of my planned stops while I was there :(