Paw Prints in the Sand

By Jennifer Michaels
Published: September 11, 2008
Last Updated On: March 10, 2011

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St Petersburg

Tampa

Pets on vacation? Fido and Fluffy get pampered, too, at TradeWinds Island Resorts.

"We miss Lexi, mommy," is a common phrase I hear when we travel throughout Florida. I've even noticed a tear or two when saying goodbye to our newly rescued puppy. On occasion, our family finds solace by searching our vacation destinations for a gourmet pet bakery or fancy rhinestone collar to bring home as a souvenir.

The real gift to our kids would be letting our dog tag along and put paw prints in the sand. Now, we can – thanks to TradeWinds Island Resorts. At TradeWinds Island Grand, one of two TradeWinds properties in St. Petersburg, canines and cats are as pampered as families.

The real gift to our kids would be letting our dog tag along and put paw prints in the sand. Now, we can – thanks to TradeWinds Island Resorts. At TradeWinds Island Grand, one of two TradeWinds properties in St. Petersburg, canines and cats are as pampered as families.

And that's not all. The city of St. Petersburg and its surrounding beaches have also rolled out the red carpet for pet owners and their furry friends. Visitors can take a sunset dog-stroll through Fort De Soto Park (home to a Paw Playground) or spend the day at Honeymoon Island State Park. (Just remember to follow the posted rules and keep dogs on a short hand-held leash.) Then, travelers can leave pets behind in comfort at the hotel for a night of family fun.

With hands-on museums like Great Explorations, The Children's Museum, Tampa Bay Rays baseball games, beach barbecues and more, families will be assured the whole clan is entertained on a visit to St. Petersburg on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Chow Time

Pets, as we all know (and many owners) have one thing on their minds: Treats with a capital "T." I know my kids, dog and husband, of course, are all happiest when their tummies are full. TradeWinds Island Resorts' properties have many restaurants, including Palm Court Italian Grill and Bermuda's, which features everything from steak to fresh Gulf seafood.

My kids skipped the fancier fare and chose to grab a quick slice of pepperoni on-site at Pizza Hut Express and topped it off with dessert from the Old Meeting House Ice Cream Shoppe. They spent a quiet hour playing outdoor pool while my husband and I relaxed poolside nearby.

For traveling pups and kitties, the property offers a pet-only room service menu that includes specialty meats, gourmet dog and cat food and special to-go treat packs. Your dog can try such delicacies as Fido Fajitas or Mutt Meat Loaf. For "doggie dining" al fresco with pets, guests can also head downtown to Beach Drive's Parkshore Grill.

Playtime

During the day, Fido and Fluffy can enjoy the Pet Play Zone at TradeWinds Island Grand. The area features doggie drinking fountains, umbrellas for shade, benches, a doggie rinse and drying station with towels, a sitting area for owners, fire hydrants and more. Pets are free to enjoy some downtime or playtime unleashed in the Zone, and thanks to a double gated entrance, access in and out of the park is safe and easy.

There is also a special dog walking zone along the resort's meandering waterways and beachfront dunes. The path even skirts by a hammock, perfect for some snooze time for people and pooches. We logged a few hours on the hammock, trying to get the perfect shot for our holiday card. The kids ran to the adjacent people-playground in between takes.

With seven swimming pools, beach volleyball, water sports, pirate parties and "Dive-In movies," the resort has plenty of planned activities for families with or without pets. We also love renting surreys and bikes at Wheel Fun Rentals on The Pier in St. Petersburg. And, we can never resist trying our hand at fishing.

For some quiet Mom and Dad time (which we always like to sneak in on vacation), TradeWinds Island Grand has a KONK Club (Kids Only, No Kidding!). My boys loved playing ping pong and hunting for Red Beard's treasure; they also spent supervised time making bracelets.

Naptime

The name "trade winds" comes from an old sailing term meaning you could count on the winds to blow steadily from the same direction at a constant speed. And just like its name suggests, you can count on a consistent flurry of activities to keep your family busy throughout the day, and in turn, a restful sleep at night.

TradeWinds Island Grand has 48 pet-friendly suites. For a fee of $30 each night, guests may bring up to two pets per room, with a maximum weight limit of 80 pounds per pet. Guests even have access to a Doggie Accessory Center, where canines and their companions can choose from a variety of dishes, leashes, toys and towels for use during the furry friend's stay.

Whether you're playing putt-putt, water sliding on the beachfront, swimming or paddling boats through the property's canals, everyone will stay busy.

Florida residents can enjoy savings with packages like "Fido's Fabulous Adventure," "Girlfriends Beach Getaway" or "Kids Just Wanna Have Fun." Any way you go, you'll be happy you did. And, you won't have to wipe away the tears when the kids miss their "best friend."

To plan your own getaway to TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Petersburg, call 800-360-4016 or visit www.tradewindsresort.com.

Jennifer Michaels is the Family Travel Expert for VISIT FLORIDA® and owns her own website, FamilyTravelPlanet.com, where she helps take the hassles and hurdles out of travel with kids.