The Plateau is Pawsitively Perfect

Having fun with your four-legged friends this winter

By BRITTANY CONLEY

If you are a dog person; a true dog person, like I am, then you probably plan things to do with and for your dog well in advance and with contingency plans for things like illness or unpredictable weather. Bored dogs are not the easiest housemates to live with, but there is no way we could live without them. Dog people not only cannot live without their canine companions, the desire to travel with the family pet is increasingly popular. With the promise of white capped vistas, nearby skiing and snow tubing and award-winning spas and restaurants, the Highlands-Cashiers plateau has long been a popular wintertime destination for snow-seekers from places such as Atlanta and Charlotte which typically do not see much, if any, snowfall. While options for entertainment and indulgences are limitless for us, what about for our precious pets? I took my recently adopted best boy, Quigley, out and about across the plateau to check out some of the things he would most enjoy.

Wag-Worthy Eats

There are plenty of places along the plateau where you can enjoy a delicious meal and without worrying about your dog being shooed away. Whiteside Brewing Company in Cashiers is one of the most popular places for those who want to bring along their dog while they catch a bite to eat or relax with an expertly crafted brew. While you and your pooch will understandably have to sit outside, as soon as the weather gets a bit nippy, the staff turns on overhead heaters to keep things comfortable. And, if your dog gets a little restless, there is an incredible open space just beyond your table where you are free to walk and play with your pooch–just please keep them leashed.

Other wag-worthy restaurants in the area are Slab Town Pizza and the Cashiers Valley Smokehouse in Cashiers, The Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers and Highlands, Blue Bike Cafe, Highlands Dive and Highlands Smokehouse in Highlands.

Play The Day Away

If your pooch is high drive like my Australian Cattle Dog, aka Blue Heeler, finding a place to play and burn off some of the zoomies is paramount. Days out with Quigley are not nearly as enjoyable when he is burdened with an excess of pent-up energy. So, we make good use of an abundance of gorgeous trails to get out and stretch my legs that Quigley undoubtedly loves as well. The recent expansion of the Cashiers Ramble trail is a great place to exercise your pup before sitting down to eat. Spring Street in Highlands has ample parking and is a quiet place with sidewalks on both sides.

But there’s a lot to be said for letting them cut loose, off leash, and romp around with other dogs. The Cashiers Dog Park located at the Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center offers a great place for your dog to let off some steam. With separate areas for small and large dogs, every dog has a chance to run around safely and freely. Highlands’ dog park at 600 N 4th Street is also leash free. Bring a ball and have a ball, just please be sure to clean up after your dog, which I hope goes without saying for any place you might take them around town or in any public space.

Other great places to play in the area include the Silver Run Falls Trail just south of the cross roads in Cashiers, Highlands Botanical Station and nearby Sunset Rock Trail just outside of Highlands on Horse Cove Road, Ralph J. Andrews Recreational Park on Lake Glenville and  Gorges State Park in Sapphire.

Pampered Pooch Emporiums

We are not the only ones who enjoy a little retail therapy from time to time. There are lots of places where friendly, leashed dogs are allowed. One place where they aren’t just permitted, but enthusiastically welcomed is Paws on The Mountain in Cashiers. For nearly 15 years, owners Angel and Matt Stanley have provided residents and visitors–and of course their four-legged friends–an unforgettable shopping experience. They stock everything from collars and toys, to grooming supplies and food for the most discerning pets. They even provide a superb DIY washing station to get your pup clean again after a muddy wintertime hike or you can incorporate it into your normal grooming routine if you are local to the area.

Other pup-friendly shops: The Highland Hiker in Cashiers and Highlands and Smoky Mountain Pets in Franklin.

Paws For the Cause

This is far from an exhaustive list of places your pooch will enjoy along the plateau. Each passing year, more and more places are coming to realize how important it is to devoted pet parents to travel with their pets, when possible, which means opening their doors and hearts to pets as well as people. It is important to check with local businesses first before entering with your pet and always follow any rules or laws, such as leashing. If you are traveling with your beloved dog, check out BringFido.com, which is where I found most of the places Quigley and I enjoyed together as we enjoyed the plateau together for the first time since adopting him.