Each year, the dog–Toasty–gets to go to the beach. Virginia Beach is our beach of choice for two reasons: proximity and dog friendliness (before Memorial Day, that is). Of course, while the vacation is really Toasty’s, we both enjoy the leisurely walks on the beach, spending hours together with the waves and a very happy pup.
Now, I should clarify at least one thing: while Toasty loves the beach, she hates the water. With a passion reserved normally for children and greyhounds. She got her paws wet twice on this trip, once because she wasn’t paying attention and a wave got her…and once because we connivingly got her to enter the water. As soon as she figured out what we were doing, and her front paws got wet, she tucked her tail between her legs and refused to look at us for a good twenty minutes.
Dogs don’t hold grudges? Ha. Meet Toasty.
Each year I convince myself that this year might be different. That this year she might like the water. I mean she decided that she liked the stream in Rock Creek park after years of refusing to set foot in a puddle. But each year she seems to hate the waves even more than the year before. Whatever. I will one day learn to stop wishing for unicorns.
While we have always stayed at the Residence Inn (beachfront), we opted for the Sheraton this year because it was less expensive, has no dog surcharge, and because I have Gold status (thanks Amex Platinum). Overall we were happy– while we missed the kitchenette of the Residence Inn, we had a great corner room at the Sheraton. Both of these hotels have obviously taken some wear and tear over the years…I mean, it’s hard to keep things dry next to the ocean. But our room was clean and the bed was soft. Toasty obviously loved the balcony (we had an oceanfront room) for yelling at children and skateboarders.
We’re skeptical of sandcastles as they are built by children…
We both really needed some relaxation with sand between our toes and, of course, a fluffy monster who loved chasing a crab and making us smile with her ridiculous antics.
