I’ll start by saying we are dog people. We love (loooooove) our dogs. So yes, Beach, Love & Happiness is one of the pet friendly St. George Island vacation rentals. 

Our pups are both Brittanys, also referred to as Brittany Spaniels, however the AKC dropped the ‘spaniel’ years ago because the breed’s working characteristics are more akin to those of a pointer or setter. Brittanys are highly energetic. This is good because it means we all get plenty of exercise. They’re also very, very friendly (which means they fit right in on the dog friendly beaches of St. George Island).

Our oldest is 2 years old. His name is Harvest Moon. He was born under that big, gorgeous September moon. We thought calling him “Harvest” would signal the universe to gift us with abundance. In reality, I think we spoke him into being a garden harvester (thief). Spinach, blueberries, broccoli… he’s delighted to eat any of my hard grown veggies.

Our youngest dog is 7 months. Her name is Luna Bella or “beautiful moon”. We stayed with the moon theme and felt the name was peaceful and pretty. Secretly I think we knew that what we’d end up with was a lunatic. And we did… in fact one of her pet names is Looney Tunes (or when we’re at the beach, Looney Dunes).

“Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.” – Franklin P. Jones

Pet Friendly Beach

We work from our home office so our dogs are with us all the time. They join us on most trips to the park or hiking or to a local coffee shop (for puppachinos).

When we travel we never liked to leave the puppies behind in someone else’s care (mom guilt) which is just another reason the dog friendly beaches of St. George Island were a great fit for our family when we decided to buy a vacation house.

Go for a walk along the beach and you’ll pass many people out for an afternoon walk with their dog. I’d estimate 5 in 10 golf carts carry a dog passenger, and 2 in 10 have a dog driving (no, I made that last bit up).

Our dogs immediately took to the beach. Brittanys are bird dogs and have highly sensitive noses. Harvest spends every moment on the beach tracking birds, and there are plenty as it’s also a popular birding beach. You’ll see herons, egrets, ibis, oystercatchers, sandpipers, seagulls, pelicans and so many more. And little Luna who’s still a puppy tracks tiny flies and gnats. You wouldn’t even know they were there if it weren’t for her frantic zigzagging.

There are frequent stops to meet other dogs and people, check out what the waves are washing up, and digging some impressive holes.

BTW, if you look closely, you’ll see my husband Steven flying his dual line parafoil kite in the background.  It looks like he’s doing tai chi – but no.

St George Island Dog Rules

Speaking of digging holes on the beach, while St George Island is dog friendly there are a few rules you need to know.

• Dogs must be on a max 6′ leash at all times
• You must pick up after your pup so bring bags. You’ll also find bags at public beach access points.
• Fill in any hole your dog digs (also any hole your kids dig, or your wife digs)  🙂

If you’re staying at our dog friendly St George Island rental house, we also have a few rules.

• Wash your paws at the paw station by the shower. Your pup will appreciate it and so will you when they don’t track sand all over your living room
• Pickup any pet waste and put it in the trash. 
• Dog bowls are provided (you’ll find them in the laundry room)
• No pups in the pool area or in the pool
• If you’re going out for the day it’s better to take your dog but if you can’t you’re welcome to use one of our dog crates. (Better to crate them then have an anxious pup chew up something expensive and be charged.)

These are the dog crates we have as loaners so you can double check sizes and dimensions, or bring your own.

• • 1 x Medium Dog Crate
  • 1 x Large Dog Crate

Our plan this Fall is to build a dog run by the pool area. We’ll pick a shady spot where pets can have some outdoor time and be close enough to join in the fun while you’re swimming or grilling – but not close enough to steal a burger.

Check back in late October for more on the pet fence project at Beach, Love & Happiness.

🌟🌟   UPDATE: We added a fenced dog yard! Click here to see the Sun Run >>>  

Harvest Moon, Luna Bella & your Beach, Love & Happiness Host, Renee

P.S.  Yes, the shelling on St. George Island is good! See them scattered along the shore in the picture above? It’s different everyday and a lot of fun to collect. If you stay at our rental house you’ll see the shells and oyster shells I’ve collected around our palm trees and around both the grills.