As you might have guessed – I love dogs and Florida! Apart from making wonderful companions, dogs are often the unsung heroes involved in solving many mysteries. In my Hunt for Justice Series books, the main character Judge Willa Carson lives in Tampa Bay and has two adorable labradors, Harry and Bess.
It’s no coincidence that I gave Willa Carson two dogs, as Tampa ranks amongst the top pet-friendly cities in the country. According to a 2019 survey by Wallethub, Tampa ranked 3rd out of 100 dog-friendly cities. Tampa also ranked #10 most affordable city to own a pet and #17 for pet health and wellness.
Such high rankings are not surprising considering Tampa’s wide array of pet-friendly amenities. The city is home to a large variety of dog-friendly parks and beaches. Popular destinations include the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which offers a fenced-in dog park filled with fun obstacles to keep your furry friends entertained. Davis Island dog park provides the perfect opportunity for dog owners and their dogs to relax and enjoy the waterfront view and sandy beach.
Doggie clubs and training academies around Tampa work on everything from behavior to agility. Academies such as the Tampa Bay K-9 Solutions offer jumpstart programs for puppies and canine camps for busy dog owners. They even offer an advanced canine college course designed to train dogs to be “off-leash” and avoid distractions.
Image courtesy of The Dog Bar
Tampa offers many dog-friendly eateries. The open-air Sail Pavilion is the perfect place for dog owners to unwind and dine with their dogs. The venue offers a special dog-friendly menu as well as complimentary doggy treats. The Dog Bar is another popular hangout for dog owners. Aptly named, the bar offers an outdoor play area where owners can sip on a glass of wine or beer while watching their dog play.
For those looking to spoil their pooch even more, Downtown Dogs is Tampa’s award-winning doggie boutique. Located in beautiful Hyde Park Village, the store offers high-quality toys, natural dog treats, and much more.
Image courtesy of Downtown Dogs
Of course, there are also numerous dog-centered events that cater to both dogs and dog-owners. The annual Bark in the Park pet festival features food and drinks in addition to doggie costume contests. Owners can enjoy the fun and festivities while strolling their dogs down the 1-mile waterfront.
Ps. You can read inspiring stories of pets who became heroes here!
If you enjoy reading about dogs, join USA Today Bestseller Judge Willa Carson in her Hunt for Justice for a solid mystery, a few thrills, and quite a bit of suspense and humor along the way.
Willa Carson finds herself dispensing Due Justice, exposing Twisted Justice, uncovering Secret Justice, lamenting Wasted Justice, observing while Jenny Lane reveals Raw Justice and remains unaware of Mistaken Justice. And that’s not including a few exciting short reads featuring Willa Carson.
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