Luxury Is: the Perfect Place for Your Pampered Pet
Morgantown makes a great hometown for dog lovers
It’s often been said that Morgantown has everything on the home buyer checklist: natural beauty, top schools, varied entertainment, great restaurants, and convenient shopping. However, there’s another quality that’s just as important. With 69 million households in the U.S. counting dogs as family, many home buyers seek to enhance the quality of life for their furry friends. In today’s blog, White Diamond Realty gives you the lowdown on why lucky dogs live their best life in Morgantown.
Dog approved dining
Ditch the bowl and gobble down some treats at one of several area restaurants that welcome dogs at outside tables! Whether it’s the gastropub fare at Table 9, crave-able favorites at Black Bear Burritos, or scratch-made delights at Terra Cafe, options abound. For a more complete list, including reviews, be sure to read BringFido’s guide to dog-friendly restaurants in Morgantown.
Dogs have their days
Looking for a social activity that includes your dogs in a major way? Morgantown’s beloved minor league baseball team — the West Virginia Black Bears — invites dog owners to take their dog out to the ballgame during their annual Bark in the Park promotion. This canine pleaser is a home run of fun that also supports the local nonprofit shelter, Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia.
If a cool dip is more your style, the same shelter also benefits from the Dog Day in the Pool event, scheduled this year for August 21 at Marilla Pool.
On the leash
From the spectacular footpaths of Cooper’s Rock State Forest to mile after mile of well-maintained trails throughout Monongalia County, the Morgantown area is a hiker’s delight. Dogs are welcome, too — just remember to bring your leash.
For a challenging hike, we recommend visiting Raven’s Rock. It’s moderately difficult (you’ll want to pack some water for yourself and your pet) but provides a spectacular view at the halfway mark. For something a bit easier, check out the Westover Park Loop. Here you’ll find plenty of wild natives from squirrels to deer but beware, this place gets muddy on rainy days.
There are also lots of dog-friendly hiking trails within the city limits. Be sure to explore the extensively paved Mon River Rail Trail System. Note that the city requires a leash no longer than six feet in public places, along with a city tax tag and information listing the name and address of the owner.
For full a list of on-leash trails near Morgantown, check out this handy list from AllTrails.
Off the leash
Playing fetch is welcomed at Stanley’s Spot and Krepp’s dog parks, both of which are cooperative ventures between Morgantown’s Board of Parks and Recreation (BOPARC) and the Morgantown Dog Owner’s Group (MDOG).
Stanley’s Spot features fenced areas for large and small dogs to socialize. It’s located along the Decker’s Creek Trail. For guidelines, check out BOPARC’s Stanley’s Spot info. The Krepp’s dog park is a large, wooded area for fun with your best friend. It’s located within the Krepps Park trail system, just inside the trail head behind Krepps Shelter. For more information, visit the Krepps Dog Park BOPARC webpage.
Leash optional
Do you own a large breed of dog that needs to work up a lather each day? One of the best-kept secrets for dog owners near Morgantown is the lightly travelled Toms Run Preserve, just south of town. One professional dog walker told White Diamond Realty that he runs his dogs there several times a week and seldom sees anyone else using the spot. Leash rules here depend on how much you’ve worked with your dog, since they must either be kept on a leash or under voice command. For directions and the rest of the rules, visit the Toms Run Preserve website.
World-class dog care
Morgantown is home to multiple pet health and wellness facilities with stellar reputations. Whether you visit the Animal Medical Center across from the airport, Paw Prints Veterinary Center in Westover, Morgantown Veterinary Care near the Coliseum, or Hillcrest Veterinary Clinic just outside the city limits, you’ll find quality care for dogs of all ages.
For example, the Hillcrest clinic alone has seven full-time veterinarians on staff. Hillcrest also has an app where clients can schedule appointments, access pet vaccination records, request medication refills, and ask questions via a two-way chat feature. They are also a proponent of the “Fear Free” initiative, providing education on emotional well-being, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Dog-friendly hotels
Do we hope you move to Morgantown? Of course, we do! But if you are planning a visit with your pet to check out some spacious White Diamond properties, check out this list of pet-friendly hotels at BringFido. Sniff around Morgantown and you’re sure to agree with White Diamond Realty when we say, “Morgantown makes a great hometown for dog lovers!”
