“Run, Spot, run!”

Residents and visitors used to hear (or shout) this quite often along the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach shorelines. When laws were drafted to require our little and not-so-little four-legged friends to be kept on leashes and away from the public beaches, state park, Fort Morgan and wildlife refuge, that command faded away. But now both cities offer a welcome alternative.

Let your best friend play freely at a dog park in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama.

Recently opened is a fenced area near Sportsman Marina on Canal Road. The Orange Beach Dog Park makes it possible for your pet to enjoy unleashed playtime within its boundaries, thanks to the many folks who donated money and/or time to make this possible. Those in charge obviously had a sense of humor, as the park boasts strategically placed fire hydrants!

Just across the street from the Adult Activity Center and just south of the Bodenhamer Recreation Center in Gulf Shores is the Beason Wilkes Dog Park. Water is available in the small fenced area that will accommodate dogs of all sizes, with smaller dogs in the front and larger dogs just behind it. And yes,  fire hydrants are available there, as well.

If you are planning to bring your dog with you when you visit the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast, Meyer Real Estate will be pleased to help you locate dog-friendly vacation rental properties.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.