This article is part of our Road Trip for Good series with the incredible humans behind the popular 2 Traveling Dogs! Each week they will share their adventure in a new state, and their pups, Peanut Butter Brickle and Digby Pancake, will pick their favorite “Marked Territories.” Each state will highlight one special rescue organization that is doing fantastic work to help the dog community. For more detailed coverage, be sure to visit 2TravelingDogs.com!”
New York State has so much to offer dogs and their travel companions! Sure, New York City is a must see, but venture beyond the hustle and bustle to find a New York experience unlike any other. With beautiful farmlands, challenging hikes, waterfalls and wineries, this is a Brickle and Digby approved itinerary! First, check out the deserving adoptable dogs at There’s Hope Dog Rescue in Freeville, New York to adopt a new travel companion! They will appreciate it in a New York minute!
Brickle and Digby’s Paw-Picked New York Rescue: There’s Hope Dog Rescue, Freeville, New York
It has been said that home is where your heart is. And There’s Hope Dog Rescue is ran out of Diana Niemi’s home in Freeville. What a great combination! Diana exudes love, and told us about why she started her rescue with the support of her husband. She wanted to help dogs that other rescues would not take in because of breed discrimination or behavioral issues. Many of their dogs were to be euthanized due to space or other challenging circumstances that deemed them unadaptable. She doesn’t believe that all dogs can be saved, but she tries her best to make sure she does everything in her power to TRY whether that be behavior training, physical therapy or socialization. She believes that in most cases, there IS hope. And it is the driving force behind her rescue.
Everyone has busy lives, jobs, families, and obligations. Imagine all of your responsibilities, and then add running a foster based animal rescue to your day! We were beyond impressed when we met Diana. Even though she just had a baby and holds down a job as well, her network of volunteers and fosters keep this extensive operation going seamlessly.
There’s Hope Dog Rescue has relationships with shelters in the south including Kentucky and North Carolina, but also concentrates on their local needs as well. Diana told us of local rummage sale ads offering free dogs with “no questions asked” and how they often race to rescue these dogs. We met some of them in her care, some of whom had been used as bait dogs for dog fighting. We saw before and after photos and proof in person that in most cases, there IS hope. Happy go lucky bully breeds playing freely on her living room floor, foster parents laughing at their antics, all while telling us what these dogs had been through brought tears to our eyes. How special people can be when they band together for the love and care for animals AND each other!
With a sense of humor as you will see in our latest episode of “Stop Hounding Me”, Diana graciously answers some of our questions, like the pressing issue of how a dog would replace a hand shake greeting.
Again, when it comes to daily lives, we all struggle with trying to balance work, family, home and our love of animals and what we can do to help. Diana does this in a way that makes it seem effortless, but we KNOW that she gives her all. As she told us about the “family” of her fosters, and what they mean to her, we implore you to consider fostering in your own community, and certainly helping Diana in this way if you are in the Freeville or Ithaca, New York area.
There’s Hope Dog Rescue has some wonderful dogs up for adoption, each with their own story.
Thank you to Diana and her fosters who were there even helping watch her beautiful, new baby. The love in her home, along with the love for and from her own dogs touched us. And we only hope that it will touch you to follow Diana’s example and follow your heart. Diana’s long term goals include having a facility to be able to take in more dogs. Let’s help her by donating.
After you adopt a deserving dog from There’s Hope Dog Rescue, head out with your travel companion and see how much the state of New York has to offer!
1. Take A Trail Deep Into A Gorge
Located near Trumansburg, Taughanock State Park offers persons and dogs the opportunity to enjoy a unique hiking experience. Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge! Trails here offer spectacular views. With numerous trail options of varying length, watch your footing as the trails can become slippery. The main entrance to the trails here can be found just off the parking lot on the opposite side of Route 89 from Cayuga Lake. This trail is especially enjoyable during summer when the mist from the waterfall cools you down.
2. Go On A Winery Trail With Your Dog
The Finger Lakes region of New York prides itself on being dog-friendly, and this is great news for wine lovers! Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to three distinct wine trails, each offering exciting wine and food, and most ARE dog-friendly, many with their own winery dogs. Check the official Finger Lakes Wine Country website to confirm individual winery policies on dogs.
3. Take A Stroll In Central Park
No trip to New York State would be complete without a visit to Central Park. With 23 areas in Central Park that are dog-friendly, take a break from sightseeing and truly enjoy this unique, New York experience. Take a picnic, sit down and people watch for awhile. This park is truly a timeless oasis for residents and tourists alike, with two legs or four!
4. Have A Spa Weekend In A State Park
In beautiful and relaxing Saratoga Springs, you will find the Gideon Putnam located in the Saratoga Spa State Park. With a whirlwind trip through New York, you need to relax. Book one of their first floor dog-friendly rooms and give yourself a break. With their extensive spa services and mineral baths, allow your dog to take a nap in your beautiful room so that you can come back feeling refreshed to finish up your New York trip!
5. See Niagara Falls With Your Dog
The oldest State Park in the America, Niagara Falls State Park allows your leashed dog to enjoy the beauty of this natural wonder with you. In addition to the Falls, explore miles of hiking trails and truly appreciate this New York treasure!
6. Visit A Dog Park With Views
In Ithaca, you will find one of the best examples of a well-maintained, beautiful dog park. Located in the Allan H. Treman State Marine Park at the head of Cayuga Lake, this park offers the opportunity for dogs to run free with other friendly pups. This large park is beautifully and safely fenced, has child-sized swimming pools for the dogs, beautiful shade trees, benches and picnic tables for people and dogs too! With views like this, you may never want to leave this spot.
7. Make Your Dog A New York Treat!
When you think of food in New York, you most likely think of great pizza and bagels! Your dog asked for a taste, so we combined both of these favorites into one, dog-friendly version! A New York Pizza Bagel for dogs? Yes, you can share!
Be sure to check 2 Traveling Dog’s pupcoming schedule to see if Brickle and Digby will be in your neighborhood!
Next stop…Pennsylvania!
