Sheep Dung Estates

September 2003

Re: Pet-friendly Getaways

I'd suggest Sheep Dung Estates (www.sheepdung.com) ... a couple of cottages with down comforters, kitchenette (stocked with a bottle of local wine from Anderson Valley), bathroom ... all on about 300 acres where your dog is free to romp! A wonderful little pond for pups to swim in, too. It's beautiful any season, although it can get pretty hot in the summer. About 45 minutes to an hour west of Cloverdale. You really feel like you've gotten away -- moss-covered live oak and rolling hills in every direction. In the dry season, it's wall-to-wall burrs as far as the dogs are concerned. If that bothers you, I'd wait till fall, when the fog rolls in and out magically anyway.

I haven't been myself, but have read glowing reviews of Sheep Dung Estates and The Other Place, dog-and-kid friendly ranches with cottages to rent up in the Anderson Valley. The website for both is at: http://www.sheepdung.com/ Happy trails! Caroline

Well, here's a suggestion that will be more like a romantic getaway for your pet, than for you, but it's fun for humans too. Sheep Dung Estates in Sonoma County is a great place for pets, has individual cabins with the kitchen setup you're looking for-- great setting in oak woodland/chapparral with lots of trails to explore-- but definitely a rustic getaway, not urban. The people that run Sheep Dung also have another place (called ''The Other Place'') in Anderson Valley that is a little closer to a town-center. You can look at all their accomodations on line at their website. Have fun! Luisa

My husband and I love Sheep Dung Estates in Mendocino--if you can get past the name, you will see it is paradise for vacationing with your furry children-- it is about a three hour drive away--it is doggie heaven. 600 secure acres for dogs to go crazy. Dogs are not just tolerated, they are encouraged.

They have two different sites, one is more rustic (and less expensive), solar powered, no tv, phone, full kitchen and bath, just peace and quiet and lots of hiking, and a swimming pond for the pooches. The other side has all the amenities (tv, etc..). I have never been to this side because we love the other one so much.

Check out their website at www.sheepdung.com Kate

Please note that Sheep Dung Estates is indeed a swell place, but there are a few other factors worth considering: 1) It is very doggy, and so if your own pooch is barky and territorial, you might have a rather noisy stay. 2) In warm weather, SDE is quite hot and dry. 3) The road to SDE is steep and ROUGH; I wouldn't recommend going there without 4-wheel drive. (My poor Honda Civic sedan overheated, and I ended up leaving her by the side of the road and accepting a ride from another guest, the only time I've ever been happy to see an SUV.)

Having said that, in all fairness I must mention that the accommodations are tasteful and comfortable and that the big hammocks under the oak trees are utter bliss, one of the best places in the world to relax with a book. Melanie