Dog Mountain was one of the highlights of our recent 12-day New England road trip, and in fact, it…read morebecame our No. 2 favorite destination, and only surpassed by Acadia National Park in the No. 1 position.
If you are a dog lover and/or dog owner, this is a place for you. First, you can bring your dog(s), on a leash or without, and let them run free (except in the gift shop... there, they must be on a leash)... but outside where the air is so fresh, the terrain is beyond beautiful, they can run around to their hearts' content. In addition to the breathtaking grounds, there is also an exceptional gift shop filled with all kinds of things from clothing to furniture and everything in between... all about dogs and all designed by Stephen Huneck, the creator and owner of Dog Mountain.
In addition to this great gift shop is a Dog Chapel, also created by Mr. Huneck. It is a very beautiful, spiritual homage to dogs... a place where people of all faiths and walks of life can gather to reflect on the love of their dog(s)... living or departed. When I say there were THOUSANDS of post-it notes and pictures of dogs, I think I may be way off... maybe MILLIONS, plastered on all of the walls of the interior of the chapel. Truly amazing and inspiring. I felt bad because I didn't realize we could bring our own photos to affix, but maybe if we ever return, I certainly will bring some. I did, however, write a message to our dearly departed doggies in a big notebook. I couldn't help it, but I cried buckets while there. It's okay cuz I wasn't alone, to be sure. It is DEEPLY moving, and while it was very sad for us, it is also very uplifting, too, because it's a place to honor your loving dog(s).
I heartily encourage you to visit whether you live locally in St. Johnsbury, in the State of Vermont, on the east coast, or from wherever you reside, if you are a dog lover, you need to go !! Such an amazing place, and one we will NEVER FORGET.