Bucket List for Your Pet

Bucket lists are always fun to make for ourselves, but shouldn’t your dog have one too? There are so many opportunities to have fun with your pet in Miami-Dade, so FoMA has compiled a beginners list of pet-friendly activities for you!

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Everyone loves a beach day and your pup will too! There are numerous pet-friendly beaches in Miami-Dade County with more to offer than just the sand and sea.  When visiting a dog beach or other recreation area for your pet, be sure to actively supervise your pet and others in the area so you are ready to intervene if your pup starts to get in trouble.  Our pets count on us keeping them safe, even when they’re playing and having fun!

Haulover Beach Park offers a beautiful beach as well as a “bark park” (an enclosure for small and large dogs). Dogs are allowed off-leash from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm so your pooch will get the chance to play in the sand, meet other dogs, and maybe even learn how to swim!

North Beach Oceanside Park offers a dog park and a dog-friendly beach, the “Bark Beach.” There are jogging/walking trails, shady spots, and picnic areas to relax in. While the entire park is dog friendly for leashed dogs, there are enclosed spaces where you can take your dog off-leash to roam.

Hobie Island Beach Park is another dog-friendly beach that is most popular for different beach activities like windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It’s also a completely dog-friendly beach. Play in the sand and let your furry friend socialize with the other dogs in the area!

Photo Source: californiabeaches.com

Go Shopping

The Doggie Bag Cafe & Pet Boutique is an adorable shop with awesome supplies for your pup. They carry organic treats, pup-cakes, grass-fed beef sliders, chicken or beef dinners, and even doggie beer – but make sure your doggie is old enough for this, too! Have a pet birthday or adoption anniversary coming up? The Doggie Bag Cafe is the perfect place to get them a cake! 

Brickell City Center allows leashed dogs to roam and window shop with you (Just make sure to ask the stores if your pooch is allowed inside with you). Brickell City Centre is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Taking your leashed pet to a local pet store to choose a toy is always a great option, too. There is no better way to ensure you are getting the perfect toy than letting them pick it out themselves!

Photo Source: chicagotribune.com

Hiking and Walking Trails

A day outside may be exactly what your dog needs for a classic bucket list experience.

The Virginia Key Outdoor Center is pet-friendly: Everything you expect from the Florida Keys but only minutes from anywhere in Miami. Enjoy white sand beaches, nature trails, and mountain trails with your pooch. The Virginia Key Outdoor Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban park, has trails for mountain biking and water sections swimmers. You can bring your pooch for a picnic at Biscayne Bay or for a quick swim and a walk along the trail. Oleta River State Park is open every day of the week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Throw A Birthday or Adoption Party

If you’re housebound due to COVID-19, don’t fret! Celebrate an adoption anniversary or birthday at home to show them how much you love and appreciate them. There are numerous barkeries in Miami-Dade County where you can buy a doggy-safe cake or treat to celebrate. 

Places like The Woof Gang Bakery, Doggie Bag Cafe, and The Waggin Barkery are all home to delicious dog-friendly and approved treats. These barkeries will have your pup remembering their party for years to come!

Photo Source: care.com