Dog-Friendly Long Island: Dog Days @ Old Westbury Gardens

I recently found out that Old Westbury Gardens, the former estate of a super rich guy in the early 1900s, has Dog Days when dogs are permitted on the 200-acre grounds. They happen two weekends a year (spring & fall), and the spring Dog Days take place this weekend, so of course we had to go!

We packed up a picnic basket so we could enjoy lunch outside in the nice spring weather, Chewy included.

Salmon rice balls with cucumber garnish for Chewy

That's for me!

Look how nicely I'm sitting. Can I have some right now?

Chewy was super excited to get going. He had been sniffing Chewy-friendly food all morning and he only got to eat a few accidental droppings, so he probably knew something exciting was happening.

Let's go!

When we got there, there were dogs EVERYWHERE. The most dogs I have ever seen in one place (in person). Of course, that meant we had to greet almost everydoggy there.

Please don't give me kisses...

Sneak attack of butt sniffing!

Chase me!

Martial Arfs, the doggy school we just started going to, had an agility course and some other dog fitness equipment set up, and in true Chewy fashion, he cheated at the first obstacle.

I'll just go around this jump...

The second time around, he did jump over it.

Horse jump!

The tunnel, on the other hand, was just not gonna happen.

This does not smell right...

After Martial Arfs, we explored the grounds. There was a pond, many flower gardens, and lots of fresh grass for Chewy to roll around on.

And lots of walking meant lots of water breaks.

At first, my parents wanted to eat at the picnic tables. Chewy decided the best spot for him was under the table.

But Chewy was finding all sorts of things to chew, so we got him out of there...

Lots of dirt on his nose!

...and laid out our picnic blanket.

There are so many rice balls over there and I only get this one?

After finishing his lunch, Chewy decided it was snuggle time on the blanket.

PET ME!

When we got home, Chewy could barely keep his eyes open. It was a great day!