Woof! Fido’s Welcome in Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is cute, intimate and filled me with warm fuzzies. This a-DORA-ble town gave me the same feeling seeing a sleeping puppy emits. That feeling of releasing an “awwww” when seeing a cuddly canine.
Downtown is charming with boutique shops and independently owned restaurants. There’s a small-town ambiance with an undertone of unpretentious big-city sophistication.
I visited Mount Dora yesterday to attend the Central Florida Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) chapter meeting at One Flight Up Cafe followed by a wine (or in the case of Travelin’Gringo, a beer) tasting at Maggie’s Attic & Wine Cellar.
While sipping a lovely Columbia Winery Riesling from Columbia Valley, Wash., and chatting with fellow TBEXers, in walked the happiest and most lovey-dovey dog I have met in a while.
His name is Oakley, a black and white Shar-Pei, and his “mom” was promoting the monthly PAWS for Mount Dora event. Held the second Sunday each month, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., people and their pooches can enjoy Mount Dora’s pet-friendly eateries, shops and lodging accommodations. Participants can pick up a map at Mount Dora Sushi & Steak and visit listed businesses, get it stamped and be entered to win prizes.

Janet Craig of Mount Dora Sushi & Steak with Oakley, Speaks with Beverly of PlacesAroundFlorida.com, Jan. 23, 2011, Maggie's Attic & Wine Cellar, Mount Dora, Fla.
The second Sunday isn’t the only time Fido can strut his stuff along Mount Dora’s sidewalks. While walking the downtown, I noticed several water bowls near restaurants with al fresco dining. There are also a handful of accommodations who welcome dogs.
Visit WhatToDoinMountDora.com to learn more about Mount Dora’s pet-friendly accommodations and services and stay tuned for additional posts about Mount Dora.
One Flight Up Cafe
440 North Donnelly Street
Mount Dora, FL 32757
Tel: (407) 758-9818
www.oneflightupmtdora.com
Maggie’s Attic & Wine Cellar
237 W 4th Ave # 2
Mount Dora, FL 32757-5599
Tel: (352) 383-5451
www.maggiesattic.us
And be sure to check out these posts by fellow TBEXers about Mount Dora:
A Sunday afternoon…. Mount Dora Style! – The Active Explorer
Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaways: Mount Dora – City’s Best Orlando
Mt. Dora May Be Close to Orlando, But the Difference is Miles Apart – Places Around Florida
Lake Dora – Central Florida Pics
Interested in more pet-friendly travel? Check out my recent article Florida Travel: Dog-Friendly Sarasota.
January 26, 2011
Hi Jennifer, great seeing you there! Wine is OK, but I’m more of a beer guy…
January 27, 2011
Thanks for coming out. GREAT job on the article..Hope you can make it out to PAWS for Mount Dora sometime 🙂