Dog-Friendly Days of Summer

Q. In addition to two children, we also have a 4 year old labradoodle, Ginger, who is just as much a part of our family. We can't imagine going on our annual beach vacation without her, and in the past, that's meant a lot of smuggling her into hotels and such. It's surprisingly hard to find a good pet-friendly resort. Any suggestions in the New England area?

A. You're asking the right people! The thought of being on a family vacation, cheersing our margarita glasses on the beach while one family member has been left home, behind bars in some kennel, has never sat well with us either. In the New England area, you may want to look into the Inn by the Sea in Crescent Beach, Maine, which is just a short drive from Portland. Animal guests receive their very own amenities kit, full of toys and treats made from local ingredients, and are allowed to go wherever you go. Not only are they nice to pets, but the Inn also scores points with environmentalists by building with eco-friendly materials, and made the Forbes 2007 list of Top Ten Green Hotels in the US. You can visit their website www.innbythesea.com, or call 207-799-3134 for reservations.