:) I hope we aren't making you feel rushed....you all just made this years look like so much fun, we can't wait to find out about next years. But, we will wait happily and patiently.:D

Me too :)



If you Do Florida I would Love it to be the Tampa area then I can Visit family and maybe even get them to come ;) That would be at least 9 more yorkies to attend :)

No fair, using bribery!;)

I just hope its close enough that we can drive, I would like to come and bring more than 1 yorkie.:D

LOL well :cool: And Hey I know that town Really well... and they are really pet friendly :)

ditto:D (fingers crossed)

same for me too!! I'm willing to drive up to 9 hours away so hopefully it will be East coast, lol! :) But where ever it ends up, I know a lot of YT'ers will have a blast and thats all that metters :D

This is absolutely not true, all you have to do is search on YT and find that the idea of doing a YT meet up was first discussed here like 3 yrs ago and there was a poll on what part of the country to have the meetup in. That poll showed that the Midwest won out by huge margins.

I live in a neighboring state and was thrilled that it was so easy to go. I was disappointed by so many who didn't come even though it was close.

Not to be rude, but a lot of people are all talk about coming to a big meetup. They say they want to come, but don't save or make any plans to follow through. Go back a year and read the thread about the meetup being held in June in KC - tons said they would be there - most never showed :confused::(

Lori, I'm going to have to disagree! I have spent a lot of time in Nashville in the last 2 yrs and dirty is the last word I would use to describe Nashville. It is a very up and coming city with lots of green space and friendly people.

Ok - 3rd post in a row ;) - I've been AWOL for a week from YT as I was dealing with life :) -- But I did read every single post in this thread! :cool:

But here's my input - I'm not definitely sold on it has to be one coast or the other, because regardless of where it is - the majority of us would have to fly or spend 12-plus hrs driving. So if flying is an issue than I say look for the most affordable cities.

My 1st Choices are:
Chicago
Nashville
Elsewhere in TN

East Coast
Tampa-Sarasota-Clearwater - somewhere on the beautiful Gulf coast of Florida that is dog friendly
South Carolina
Georgia

West Coast
Seattle - it would be comfortable temp there

I'm not a big camper, but I do like the idea of some big resort with cabins or something - a nice place would likely have a lodge or meeting place that could be used to do the big meetings

Actually I have been thinking all week, the biggest problem with the hotel setting, is everyone goes to their room and closes the door and it closes off interactions and conversations. If we are in a hotel we need some type of suite or party room we can have access to anytime where folks can just hang out

I agree...we need to be where we can just go and sit and let the furbabies play and interact....why come all that way and spend all that money to sit in a room with maybe at the most 3 other people when everyone else is in other rooms and you still dont get to maybe even speak to some that you would have liked to speak to before the weekend is (too fastly...i know probably not a word) over with...JMO

I sure hope you make the next one...I'd love to meet you and Bella!!

I second that ryorkies :D...but I may be partial!!!!

Tampa is extreemly pet friendly....even a large variety of the top resturants are very pet friendly and accomodating.... plus, we have a dog beach here :)

Good idea :thumbup: Finding the most dog friendly city would the place to start! Regarding location, Ive been reading a lot of the posts... and it seems most are wanting to vote for a city/state nearest to them... But I really think we have to focus on the most centrally located areas, to ensure a good turnout. TN & Oklahoma dont sound bad :aimeeyork

Also, wanted to add that I think the current date 6/21 is great! Its after school is out and before the really hot weather begins, cant get better than that :) It'd be great to keep that date and just change venues every year. And lastly, someone posted about doing it where there's a resort or camping/beaches... And I think thats a wonderful idea! We all love to do outdoor activities with our pets....so to have a place where we can go for walks on a trail, to beaches, etc...not to mention, I'll probably have my 6 yr old traveling with me and I would hate to go anywhere that I'd have to be concerned about our safety....

And Yes! A small fee should be paid to vote :D

The hotel we stayed in provided a shuttle that would take you anywhere you wanted to go. The doggies were allowed in the shuttle, they didn't have to be in a carrier, they would even helped me a few times with mine, since I had 3 babies with me. They would hold one while I got in and then hand him/her to me.

As far as meals, the registration included breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, so you only had to pay for 3 meals on Friday, 1 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. It all depends on where you eat, we ate very light Friday morning and afternoon since we were on the road, I think we did McDonald's, Friday night we ate at a restaurant on the Plaza, I think my meal was $10. Saturday during the day, me, Michele and Gayla split a panini at the hotel, I paid for it, $10. Sunday we ate lunch at Panera Bread, $10 and Sunday night we ate at the hotel, $10. We didn't leave till Monday morning, we stopped at Einstein Bagels, $10, for me and the kiddos, the kiddos had a scrambled egg. So all in all, I spent around $60 on food for 4 days.

I like the idea of TN. Its beautiful, They have beautiful cabins that are just like a home. It would be relaxing, etc.

I love Chicago, but the truth about Chicago and I'm sure with NY is that is so expensive. I know when we went to Chicago, you have to pay a really good price for your hotels, or else you are in a really bad part of town. Plus parking is right...a killer. Maybe the big cities wouldnt be the greatest place for our babies.

If you went with TN (Gatlinburg) is awesome! Lots to do, Beautiful scenery and so relaxing. I think more for the doggies to do. If we did the beatiful cabins (not like roughing it Jodie, but the really nice ones) you can get several people per cabin, the babies could have more run of things, and you don't have to worry about being so quiet (barking, etc) The cabins my sister stayed in for her honeymoon was awesome and not too expensive if you're splitting it several ways. I do agree $10 to vote plus it would be raising money for things. I'm sure most of these places have banquet rooms also or a banquet facility

Also, wanted to add that I think the current date 6/21 is great

i didnt know a date had been set....i thought that was all in the poll post that we are all waiting for

DogFriendly.com's Top 10 Cities To Visit in the United States and Canada:

1. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Vancouver, British Columbia is our top city in North America for 2006. Visit Historic Gastown, Granville Island and the Capilano Bridge and Park with your pooch. Many ferries allow leashed dogs of all sizes and the city's public transportation allows small dogs in carriers. The city has many outdoor restaurants and cafes and quite a few of the stores allow you to shop inside with your dog. When in Vancouver consider taking a dog-friendly trip to the Hell's Gate Airtram and to Victoria on Vancouver Island. While on Vancouver Island be sure to see the beautiful Butchart Gardens. There are numerous beaches and parks that welcome you and your dog. Last fall, Vancouver removed its requirement that certain breeds be muzzled in public.


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La Quinta Hotels .. Over 300 Dog-Friendly Locations




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2. San Francisco, California - For an upscale vacation with your dog, consider the City by the Bay. There are many first class hotels as well as economy hotels that welcome you and your dog. Try the W Hotel, the Serrano Hotel or the Palace Hotel. Dogs are allowed on the public transportation, including the famous Cable Cars, Muni buses, trains and some of the ferries. Small dogs are allowed on the regional BART trains that run to the East Bay. Most parks and beaches in the city allow leashed dogs and many allow off-leash dogs. If you visit San Francisco in August, you can attend the annual Dog Day at a San Francisco Giants major league baseball game.

3. Chicago, Illinois - The Windy City has many things to do with your dog while visiting. Stay at the pet-friendly Loews House of Blues Hotel, W or Hilton in the downtown area. Take a horse and carriage ride, a boat tour on the Chicago River, or take your leashed dog to Navy Pier or to visit the world famous Buckingham Fountain. Chicago ranked number one on this list a year ago. While still very dog friendly, over the past year, Chicago enacted a $35 annual fee and requires health records for use of its dog parks and dog beach. While this may work for locals (we are not sure that they really like this either) it makes these parks difficult for tourists to use. The city offers no options for pay as you go use of their dog parks.

4. Boston, Massachusetts - Getting around Boston with your dog is easy as the Boston T (subway) allows leashed dogs of all sizes during non-rush hours. An abundance of parks, including Boston Common, Minute Man National Historical Park, the Arnold Arboretum and Back Bay Fens give you and your dog an escape from the busy city. You can also stroll the 2 mile Freedom Trail with your dog (follow the red arrows on the sidewalk), take a ferry boat ride together, visit the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, or take a horse and carriage ride through the historic areas. While in Boston, visit nearby Cape Cod (which you and your dog can get to by ferry) or Salem for some spooky fun.

5. Austin, Texas - While in Austin you can stay at one of the numerous dog-friendly La Quinta Hotels, Red Roof Inns or Holiday Inns throughout the city. You and your dog can visit the Botanical Gardens, take a walking tour of downtown or let the horse do the walking for you and your dog on carriage tour. Austin has a large number of dog-friendly parks as well as off-leash dog parks. Don't forget to show your dog the most interesting tourist attraction in town, the Congress Street Bat Colony. Around sunset from around March to November the bats all fly out looking for food. This spring, Austin clarified in the city code that leashed dogs may eat at restaurants that serve outdoors, removing the uncertainty of city regulation on restaurants that have been serving outside for years.

6. Seattle, Washington - In Seattle, you can take your leashed dog with you on the cities buses and trains as they allow well-behaved leashed dogs. The Washington State Ferries, the state's number one tourist attraction, also allow leashed dogs. Take your dog to Bainbridge Island on the ferry for a great view of downtown Seattle. Your dog will love the parks throughout the city and the Sand Point Magnusion Park off-leash beach area. You can take a carriage ride through Pioneer Square or visit the Sculpture Garden in Seattle Center.

7. New York City - The Big Apple has a large number of upscale dog-friendly hotels. Try one of the many W Hotels in the City, the Pennsylvania Hotel across from Madison Square Garden, or for a small dog, the Trump International Hotel. You may be able to get around the city with your dog by taxi as some, but not all, drivers will pick up people with dogs. There are also a number of Pet Taxi services in the city that you can call. You will see many dogs, some fully decked out in their winter outfits, walking around Manhattan. Many of the famous stores and department stores in Manhattan will allow leashed dogs to accompany you. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan, a carriage ride at Central Park or a ride on the Seastreak Ferry to New Jersey with your dog. New York has 30 off-leash dog parks and areas scattered throughout the city. While there are, unfortunately, no dog-friendly beaches in the city there is now a man-made swimming area for dogs at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

8. Long Beach (Los Angeles Area), CA - On your next visit with your dog to Southern California, consider visiting new and improved Long Beach. Long Beach, the fifth largest city in the state, recently became home to the first off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County in decades. The three acre "Dog Beach Zone" is the only legal off-leash beach for dogs in the approximately 70 miles of Los Angeles County's coastline. The beach was the result of the efforts of Justin Rudd and his Haute Dogs organization. Long Beach is the site of numerous annual, nationally-famous dog events including the Haute Dog Easter Parade and Howl'oween Parade, the Bulldog Beauty Contest, an Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, the Haute Dog Poetry Contest, Operation Santa Paws and Super Pet Adoption Fairs. Long Beach is also a central site between many dog-friendly attractions in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County and Los Angeles.

9. St Louis, MO - St Louis has a large number of attractions to keep you and your dog occupied for days. St Louis is home to the dog-friendly AKC Museum of the Dog, a Transportation Museum and Purina Farms in Gray Summit. In addition, you can take in a riverboat ride on the Mississippi, view the Gateway Arch from outside, and visit many nearby wineries with your dog. There are numerous pet-friendly hotels in the area. Of the dog parks in the city, only the Quail Ridge Dog Park in suburban Wentzville allows free access to visiting dogs.

10.Northern Virginia (Washington DC Area) - During the summer months you may cruise the Potomac with your dog on the Potomac Riverboat Co. Canine Cruises. Visit the outdoor areas of historic Mount Vernon, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial on Roosevelt Island. Hike the Mount Vernon Trail from Washington DC to Mount Vernon or visit over twenty off-leash dog parks with your dog. In historical Alexandria you can treat your dog to a carriage ride or attend the Doggie Happy Hour at the Old Town Holiday Inn Select during the summer months on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While in Northern Virginia you can visit the National Mall in Washington, where you and your dog can see all of the monuments from the outside and enjoy a visit to Georgetown and the C&O Canal.

Honorable Mentions - While these five cities did not make our top ten this year, they are also excellent places to take your dog on vacation.

- Charleston, SC
- Indianapolis, IN
- Philadelphia, PA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA





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found this, thought it might be helpful, if we do want a big city...Chicago is lots of fun and the Navy Pier is really cool too....To to mention shopping, but doggies wouldnt be allowed in those shops in the Magnificant Mile. The coach shop there cracks me up,,,,guards at the door. lol

just checked and June 21st 2009 is on a Sunday...are we only having it one day this year?

Not to be rude, but perhaps people aren't "all talk" but truly had difficulty making it work out. I can only speak for myself. With gas prices up to $4.00/gallon here, and other expenses, etc....dh and I made a choice not to go anywhere on vacation this year. First time in 15 years. In addition, the trip to KC was too far to drive for a two day meet-up. For me it would have been two days on the road, two days in KC then two days on the road. 6 Days gone for two days vacation??? Maybe 20 years ago, now that's just too much. That does not mean that when we luck out and the event is closer (say, within 10-12 hour drive one way) we won't be there. Was I excited when the idea first came up? Absolutely!!! Would I have loved to be there. Definitely!

Also, the knowledge that the planners will hit the East coast eventually made it easier to decide to wait until it was more affordable. I thought that was the reason for changing the venue? To make it possible for different members to have a chance to attend at least once every three years.

Please don't look down on those who for whatever reason couldn't make it this year.

Ok...so maybe i'm wrong. everytime i put in 2008 top dog friendly cities...there all big cities. here is from a diff. place. I say we pick 3 places off the top 10 and vote. I mean they've already been researched.

here is from another site.

THE TOP TEN DOG-FRIENDLY CITIES IN THE USA AND CANADA ARE:

1. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

2. San Francisco, California

3. Chicago, Illinois

4. Boston, Massachusetts

5. Austin, Texas

6. Seattle, Washington

7. New York City

8. Long Beach, Los Angeles

9. St Louis, Missouri

10. Northern Virginia Area of Washington DC

Here's a quick run-down on what your dog could get at a stay in
a high-end hotel in The Big Apple:

* Personalized ID tag plated in 22 carat gold

* Spritz treatments for the dog's coat in a choice of
aromatherapy fragrances

* Luxury dog pillow in the shape of a bone

* Home-baked dog biscuits and treats

* 300 thread count sheets on a special dog mattress

* Room service for dogs offering appetizers, entrees and deserts

The hotels can't control the weather but they can make life more
bearable for your dog with the loan of a trench coat (rainproof,
naturally!), a leather jacket or if it turns chilly - a cashmere
sweater. It's a dog's life!

I say we do....

Chicago IL
Austin TX
New York

They are located around and lets see what we get.
$10.00 to vote and then go with what ever has the most vote

out of those 3 i'd pick chicago, just cause i've been there and there is alot to do, just expensive

Bottom line is.........we either pick a middle ground for everyone, or do two meet-ups, one on the east coast and one on the west coast. We can't be pulling each other back and forth simply because certain states are "closer" to you.

I agree. I'm happy to wait until it makes it to this coast. If it's West Coast in 2009, I'll love the pics and toast your great time!!! Eventually it'll make it here. But, it's still exciting to think about. I'm sure Jodie will be posting a list soon, then we'll see...

Yeah I think it definitely needs to rotate so that different people can attend. Since we did it in the middle of the country this time I say we do it on the East or West coast next time and then the next time maybe somewhere in the South (Texas) and then some place up North (Chicago) so something like that. I think that then each time there will be some people that can drive and some people that can fly, etc. There will always be some place that is too far for some and really close for others!

I do think at this point the discussion portion of the thread has run it's course and time for an initial poll of East Coast or West Coast. Once that is decided, take it from there to decide on the city/state. If I remember correctly it was agreed that it would be either east or west coast for 2009. It is also my understanding that this is for people to come from all over to meet in places they wouldn't otherwise likely visit. I know here we have State/city based meet ups and I think that is what those are for. Not everyone is going to be able to make it no matter what the final choice. I think that splitting this particular "International" meet up contradicts and defeats what it is meant to be "people from all over the United States". If it splits then it isn't the same meet up it was intended to be.
Maybe a poll (no money required) just to decide east coast or west coast would help. It shouldn't matter who has the most members where.

I so agree with you and would have loved to have gone this year. We usually take a 2 week vacation every year. Thiis year will only be one week and we are scraping by for that

I am not looking down on anyone. When I said, not to be rude, I meant please don't take this negatively. I realize that people have their reasons and yes, it sounds like you had your reasons. But a couple hundred people said they would come and the majority never followed thru. I know all about tight budgets - I'm a single mother, and many would be shocked by my low income level. I know about making sacrifices and picking and choosing what to do with my time and money.

This year, I made the sacrifice to come, used my vacation time, time away from my daughter and put aside money to make the trip.

What I'm referring to is people saying they will come because it sounds like a nice idea to participate, but they never make one plan to follow through - and there were plenty of them that fit that description. And this was after they knew it would be in KC. There were those saying they were coming right until it was time to pay up even. The people who were all gung ho just disappeared - that's my issue. Because if we knew there would only be 30 or so people there, I'm not sure the event would have happened this year.

But I'm so glad it did, because I had a great time.

And if it is across the country in the future, I'll have to reevaluate this for myself whether I can participate - so I am definitely not judging anyone.

I agree with every word you wrote!
If I remember correctly,the KC meetup happened because YorkieFair 2007 in Michigan was such a success .This years YorkieFair got cancelled because they didn't have enough vendors booked.I know some vendors that went to KC chose to go there instead of the Michigan one this time around. They didn't want to do both.I'm sure it had to do with the expense.