Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Blog – Adventures in the Life of a Super Dog

How I Became Ammo

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Ammo

With a name like Ammo I always get questions about how I ended up with such an explosive name (for such a small dog). So I figured it was high time I shared the story of how I got my name.

A is for Ammo // Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero

I like to think I’ve really grown into my name over the past 6 years that I’ve had it, but my parents thought long and hard before they landed on “Ammo”.

In fact, it might help to show you a video of the VERY FIRST time I ever met my parents.

As you can see I really wasn’t too shy about asserting my personality! 😉

Throwback Thursday: Sweater Weather // Puppy Photos of Ammo the Dachshund

After meeting me, falling in love, and deciding I would get my forever home with them, mom and dad went home to contemplate what my new name would be.

How Ammo Got His Name - Trooper and Ranger - Puppy

Mom had picked out the name Ranger. She thought it was a strong name that sounded super cute with my soon to be best buddy’s name….Trooper! (Mom still says Trooper & Ranger would have been cute names).

Dad picked out the name Ammo. He said I looked like a little bullet because I was so long.

How Ammo the Dachshund got his name - And the name that almost was, Robot!

The wildcard name that almost came to be….Robot! Hehe, I like to think that would have been a pretty funny name to have too.

Ammo the Dachshund // Puppy // Farmwork

In the end I became Ammo. Mostly because my dad had never had a dog before (mom had) and it seemed only fitting that he get to name his very first fur kid (at least according to mom). So Ammo it was! And you know what, I think it’s pretty fitting. I’m fast, powerful, and explosive. I even found out later on (via a Facebook fan) that Amo means love in Italian. How cool!
Ammo the Super Hero Dachshund

Even though my name is Ammo, I’ve got lots of little nicknames around the house that mom and dad like to call me:

Amee
Am
Amer
L’Amee (short for Little Amee)
Ween
Weenie
Monkey
Peanut
Miami (short for My Amee)

How did your dog get their name? Does he/she have any fun nicknames too? Do tell!

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway are brought to you by Doggie Days Boutique. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Have you heard of the Doggie Days Boutique? If you haven’t then you are in for a treat! The Doggie Days Boutique is a local, to my home state of Pennsylvania, online shop that carries unique, high quality products for pet lovers everywhere.

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Recently they sent me this made in the USA, Gooby Luxury Aqua Leather Dog Collar to test out.

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Now first, let me just say, “Gooby”, what a funny name! If only that, I was super excited to wear something around my neck stamped with the name Gooby!

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Aside from having a silly name this collar is made of the SOFTEST synthetic and durable lamb skin material. This is great for dogs that might have really sensitive skin – in which a traditional collar might irritate their skin.

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Or, ahem, dogs like me that have “dachshund pattern baldness”. (It’s a real condition, look it up!)

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Now I know what you’re probably thinking, for a farm dog like me this pretty aqua collar is going to be RUINED on the farm. But guess what, it’s actually machine washable for all those time you roll in pony poop or dead animal smell (not that I would EVER do that).

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

You can fetch the Gooby Collar in several sizes and lots of fun colors from the Doggie Days Boutique. And as a bonus, use code AMMO for 10% off your next order!

And now for the best part…

Doggie Days Boutique Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

ONE WINNER WILL WIN A $30 GIFT CODE TO DOGGIE DAYS BOUTIQUE

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

No purchase necessary. To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget (see below). Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read our full list of Terms & Conditions for this giveaway.

Oh the Places You Sleep: Vol. 3

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Ammo

Because sleep is highly underrated, I couldn’t leave you hanging this month without sharing my new collection of places that I like to sleep. Here’s a few of my napping spots from the past month…

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh The Places You Sleep: Vol. 3 with Ammo the Dachshund

Sleeping Super Hero at Ryerss

Waterfront Dining // Ammo the Dachshund

Dachshund in Hotel

Ammo the Dachshund naps at BlogPaws 2015

PetSafe at BlogPaws 2015 with Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Friendly Cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Friendly Cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

Oh the Places You Sleep // Ammo the Dachshund

Kinda gives you that groggy feeling doesn’t it? Can you spot the item that shows up the most in all of my napping pictures? (hint: it’s black and yellow*)
*affiliate link

In case you missed any of my favorite spots from last month, be sure to check out my “Oh the Places You Sleep” Series!

Adventures at the Ryerss Farm Family Fun Day

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Ammo

Over the weekend my pal Minnow the Painting Pony and I attended the Ryerss Farm Family Fun Day.

Painting Pony & Ammo the Dachshund at Ryerss

The Ryerss Farm is a non-profit that cares for aged, and abused or injured horses by providing a home where they can spend their golden years out to pasture. The horses at Ryerss are never worked, go to auction or are used for experiments. They simply spend their days grazing and enjoying life with their friends on the farm.

Painting Pony Paints for Charity

My pal Minnow (who is an aged equine himself at 21 years young) was thrilled to be able to show off some of his painting talents for this organization.

Painting Pony Paints for Charity

Minnow drew quite a crowd when it came time for him to paint and show off a few of his tricks. Check out the video of Minnow painting at Ryerss on instagram.

Trick Dachshund Performs for Charity

I couldn’t let Minnow one-up me with his crowd, so every time I performed I tried to draw an even bigger crowd than him.

Trick Dachshund Performs for Charity

Dachshund Jumps through Hoop at Ryerss

Dachshund Plays Dead at Ryerss

I pulled out all the stops by jumping through hoops and even showing off my most popular trick, playing dead!

Dachshund Jumps through hoop with Helmet at Ryerss

I even dove through a solid hoop while wearing my stunt helmet! I think Minnow was impressed (don’t let his look of boredom fool you).

Sleeping Super Hero at Ryerss

Eventually all that performing caught up to me – and this little super hero had to squeeze in some afternoon naps between shows.

Full Moon Dog Treats for Super Dog Ammo at Ryerss

Don’t worry though, my mom has a secret arsenal of Full Moon Real Bacon Treats* in her pocket (that we received from BlogPaws), that were just what I needed for revival before my next show.

*contains an affiliate link

Clicker Trained Dog at Ryerss

I’m never one to disappoint my crowd!

Painting Pony at Ryerss Farm

Painting Pony at Ryerss Farm

Even though my crowd might have been just a wee bit bigger than Minnow’s, we were both thrilled to be supporting this good cause….and generating a few smiles along the way!

If you’d like to check out some of my pal Minnow’s artwork, be sure to visit him over at PaintingPony.com

Pet Friendly Road Trip Adventures: Knoxville, Tennessee

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Ammo

I know what you’re probably thinking….how can I STILL be recapping my week long road trip? Well, the fact is, there was so much to see and do that I’ve had lots to share. Like my adventures in; Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park, The Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN, Nashville, Tennessee and the 2015 BlogPaws Conference. Well, today is the last adventure of my road trip, and it was one of my favorites! On the way home to Pennsylvania I stopped at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Knoxville Tennessee Convention Center with Ammo the Dachshund

Being that it was a Sunday, the convention center was closed, but that didn’t stop me from exploring around.

Sunsphere in Knoxville Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

Just outside the Knoxville Convention Center is the Sunsphere……the main purpose of my visit! The Sunsphere was constructed for the 1982 World’s Fair and served as the symbol to the Fair. It wasn’t until 2007 that it was renovated and reopened for the public.

Visit Knoxville Tennessee to see the Sunsphere

Since there was no signs to say otherwise, and no one around to ask, I rode the elevator up the Sunsphere to the 4th floor observation deck to check out what all the fuss was about.

Dog Friendly Sunsphere // Ammo the Dachshund

Dog Friendly Sunsphere // Ammo the Dachshund

Not gonna lie, it was a long way down! I was more than happy not to get too close to the edge, just in case.

Dog Friendly Sunsphere // Ammo the Dachshund

The 5th floor of the Sunsphere contains a restaurant and bar called the Icon Ultra Lounge. I didn’t attempt to go up there because the sign said reservations were needed – and I’m not even sure if they were open on a Sunday. And the 6th floor was for events.

Dog Friendly Sunsphere // Ammo the Dachshund

Honestly I was thankful to have all 4 feet back on the ground, but there was a lot more to see in the World’s Fair Park, which had signs saying leashed pets were welcome as long as you picked up after them.

World's Fair Park // Ammo the Dachshund

There was some beautiful waterways and according to their website it looks like they hold lots of fun events in the park.

Amphitheater in the World's Fair Park // Knoxville Tennessee // Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually I made my way to the Amphitheater, it was also constructed during the 1982 World’s Fair and was home to both country music and classical music concerts. The Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater are the only structures that remained after the World’s Fair. I would have put on my own show for everyone, only I forgot to pack my trick gear, and sadly I had no spectators.

Outdoor Fountain // Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually I came across an outdoor fountain where lots of kids were enjoying it on a nice hot day. I wanted to join in too, but sadly it was one of the few areas off limits to dogs.

Calhoun's in Knoxville Tennessee // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

After exploring the World’s Fair Park it was time to get something to eat! So I found a pet friendly restaurant on the river, Calhoun’s!

Waterfront Dining // Ammo the Dachshund

Their deck overlooking the water was the perfect spot for a relaxing nap before my long long drive back to Pennsylvania.

Waterfront Dining // Ammo the Dachshund

And just as we were finishing up our dining experience, a big storm came rolling in. I have to say, the entire time I was gone I lucked out with all the weather. Every time I found something fun to do any storms seemed to clear and I had nice sunny days every time!

Tennessee Road Trip // Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually it was time for my fun to end and I headed towards home.

Home Sweet Home // Ammo the Dachshund

Even though my road trip adventures have come to an end, it’s always nice to be back in my home sweet home!

So what was your favorite part of my week-long road trip? Maybe it was the Bears in Shenandoah National Park, or the Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains, or perhaps my red carpet event in Nashville? What did you like best?

Earth Rated Poop Bags Review & Giveaway

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This review & giveaway is brought to you by Earth Rated. All opinions are my own, but I only share products I think you will love!

Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags // Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Everyone poops. (including me) And thanks to my new friends over at Earth Rated my mom and dad now have an arsenal of poop bags to make clean-up a breeze.

Earth Rated bags are bigger, thicker, and totally leak-proof!

Earth Rated Scented Dog Poop Bags // Review and Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Earth Rated’s green colored bags contain an EPI additive, which helps them break down better than traditional plastic bags and are rated Biodegradable in Canada. (fyi these bags are not considered biodegradable in the U.S. due to new labeling regulations, read more to find out why). And the extra cool part is that these particular ones are lavender scented too!

Earth Rated Scented Dog Poop Bags // Review and Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

The scent in the Earth Rated Bags is made from various types of plants, including spice plants, flowers and fruits and comply with standards set forth by the International Fragrance Association. Mom claims they smell much much better than the poo they will be holding, but being that I’m a dog, I may beg to differ on that one. Agree to disagree.

Travel Poop Bags for Dogs from Earth Rated // Ammo the Dachshund

I also received a cute Earth Rated Dispenser, which has a handy loop for attaching to any type of leash, for on the go poop pickup!

Travel Poop Bags for Dogs from Earth Rated // Ammo the Dachshund

There is a clip on the back that could be used to attach to a pocket in a pinch, but is actually designed to hold used bags.

Now before you read any further, if you might be eating breakfast, lunch or dinner (or any meal for that matter) then you may want to skip ahead to the end (where I have a fun giveaway), because how could I confidently recommend the Earth Rated Bags without testing them out myself….

Horse helps test Earth Rated Bags // Ammo the Dachshund

To help me with the testing I enlisted the help of my pony pals!

Earth Rated Poop Bags // Ammo the Dachshund

Because both Trooper and I agree, pony poop smells a whole lot better than dog poop! (Plus mom thought pony poop might be a little less cringe worthy in photographs….but I guess it depends on who you’re asking!).

Picking up Poop with Earth Rated // Ammo the Dachshund

Now Trooper and I would probably prefer to do pony poop pick-up on our own (if you catch my drift), but for the sake of this review we allowed mom to test out the Earth Rated Bags. She found the bags to be much easier to open than some of the more traditional black bags you see on the market and could tell they were much thicker than the bags we had been using.

Picking up Poop with Earth Rated // Ammo the Dachshund

While I think in the future mom and I will probably be using a wheelbarrow and pitchfork to do most of the pony poop pickup, it’s nice to know I now have some bags that are strong enough for even the biggest messes!

You can grab your own arsenal of doggie doo bags from Earth Rated by checking out which of your local stores they are stocked in and they’re also available on amazon!

And now for the best part….

Enter to Win Earth Rated Bags & Dispenser at AmmoTheDachshund.com

ONE WINNER WILL WIN AN EARTH RATED DISPENSER + REFILL ROLLS
(in scented or unscented) + some swag!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

No purchase necessary. To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA and CANADA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kickstarter Campaign for THE SOFTEST Dog Bed

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: this post if brought to you by my friends at Peach Pet Provisions. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!

Peach Industries Kickstarter Campaign for a Puffer Dog Bed! with Ammo the Dachshund

You may remember my friends over at Peach Pet Provisions from their Park It Mat that I reviewed on the blog last year. Well recently I was thrilled to hear they were launching a brand-new product with the help of a fun Kickstarter Campaign!

Peach Industries Kickstarter Campaign for a Puffer Dog Bed! with Ammo the Dachshund

Peach Industries sent me over one of their new Peach Pillow Beds in grey to take for a spin.

Peach Pillow Bed Kickstarter Campaign with Ammo the Dachshund

Peach Pillow Bed Kickstarter Campaign with Ammo the Dachshund

As you can see I barely made it all the way onto the bed before I was overcome with it’s super softness. Pillow Bed for sure! This thing is extra soft and comfy, so much so that mom and dad tried to steal it from me. Not gonna lie, I’ve already caught mom lounging on it in front of the TV.

Peach Industries 2015 Kickstarter // Ammo the Dachshund

Some fun facts about Peach Pillow Beds:

Available in four sizes (from kittens and teacup pups to Great Danes)
Top quality materials and construction
Machine washable cover
Made and sourced in the USA
Self-contained, channeled insert
Environmentally friendly RPET fiberfill made from recycled plastic bottles

Peach Industries Kickstarter Campaign for a Puffer Dog Bed! with Ammo the Dachshund

Not only that, but it also comes in 12 fun colors! Which one is your favorite?

Peach Industries Kickstarter for a Peach Pillow Bed

The great news is that Georgia & Mike (the makers behind Peach Pet Provisions) have already reached their funding goal through the Kickstarter Campaign to get these beds into production!

You can still get in on the fun, help support a small business, and grab yourself some Peach Pillow Beds at a fantastic cost by funding their Kickstarter! The campaign ends June 30, 2015 at 7:00pm PDT – so don’t delay!

Pet Friendly Road Trip Adventures: Gatlinburg, TN

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Ammo

If you’ve been following along with my adventures lately then you know a couple weeks ago I went on an epic road trip. My week long travels have already taken me to some wonderful places; Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park, The Great Smoky Mountains, and now Gatlinburg, Tennessee!

Pet Friendly Cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

My mom and dad had found a cute little cabin tucked into the mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for me to spend two nights in during my road trip.

Gatlinburg is nestled at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and has great access to many of the hiking trails in the Smokies, but also has a bustling downtown area. The Downtown Parkway is essentially a boardwalk of sorts without the beach!

Pet Friendly Gatlinburg - walking downtown with Ammo the Dachshund

After a day of hiking in the Smokies I decided to check out the activity down town and headed out on an evening walk.

Pet Friendly Gatlinburg - walking downtown with Ammo the Dachshund

Many of the shops had open-air type attractions, and I started to gather just as much attention as the fast and furious cars and the cotton candy and the haunted attractions (if you catch my drift).

Pet Friendly Gatlinburg - walking downtown with Ammo the Dachshund

While I didn’t meander into any shops (and I’m not quite sure if there were any that were pet friendly or not), I had some fun checking out some of the more wild attractions – like this Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Super Heroes in Gatlinburg with Ammo the Dachshund

Heck, I even got to meet some of the Avengers! I’m pretty sure they were wondering where my super hero costume was, but I assured them that it was safely packed in my travel bag should any funny business arrive.

Pet Friendly Dining in Gatlinburg with Ammo the Dachshund

After exploring the town for a bit I stumbled across a pet friendly patio for dinner at the Back Alley Grill.

Pet Friendly Dining in Gatlinburg with Ammo the Dachshund

At this point after a day full of hiking, and exploring the town, I was pretty beat. So while mom and dad ate I snuck in a quick nap.

Bears in the Smokies with Ammo the Dachshund

On the way back to my cabin I got to meet my SECOND BEAR of the trip! Only this one must have been pretty tried like me, because he was in a deep deep sleep and couldn’t even be bothered to say hello to me. (I left him my business card for when he wakes up)

Pet Friendly Cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Friendly Cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee with Ammo the Dachshund

After so much excitement for one day I spent as much time as I could relaxing at my cabin while mom and dad packed up for my next adventure. My next stop would be the BlogPaws Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and I was going to need all the rest I could get!

Rest Stop with Ammo the Dachshund

And after a few more hours of driving, and a couple rest stops (where I left a few of my signature calling cards), I was almost in Nashville!

Make sure you stop by my blog tomorrow to hear all about the adventures I had the BlogPaws Conference, where I even got to meet Elvis!

P.S. Don’t forget, for you local Pennsylvanians, I’ll be at the Ryerss Family Fun Day this Saturday from 12 – 4pm with my friend Minnow the famous Painting Pony. Hope you’ll stop by and meet me! I’ll be performing some of my favorite tricks too!

Glucosamine Joint Supplement for Dogs Review & Giveaway

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: this post and giveaway is brought to you by TaylorHappy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dogs will love.

Product Review: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler // Ammo the Dachshund

Have you met my best friend Trooper? If you haven’t, you’re really missing out! Trooper is the happiest and hardest working dog I know. While I spend a lot of my time on the family horse farm, my pal Trooper lives there, and his main goal in life is to help with the horses and ALL OF THE CHORES.

Product Review: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler // Ammo the Dachshund

Trooper is 8 years old, and because of his breeding (he’s an australian shepherd/labrador mix) and his very hard working nature he sometimes has joint pain and arthritis that slows him down more than he would like.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Thanks to my new friends at TaylorHappy I was able to give him a little secret weapon against that pesky joint pain with the TaylorHappy Glucosamine supplement.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Supplements such as Glucosamine can help to decrease inflammation and improve the the dog’s ability to repair and strengthen tissues. No supplement will ever be able to reverse structural changes in a joint (like torn cartilage, calcium deposits, or advanced scar tissue), but it can help your pet lead a more comfortable life.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

When my buddy Trooper isn’t taking a Glucosamine supplement he has a noticeable limp, but when he is on a supplement such as the TaylorHappy Glucosamine his limp disappears and he appears more comfortable.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

TaylorHappy Glucosamine is shellfish free, so even dogs with allergies can benefit from taking this supplement. This formula also contains chrondroitin sulfate and MSM to help protect and strengthen the cartilage. Manganese and boron are also added to assist with the production of joint fluids and healthy bone tissue.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Trooper has had a small amount of the liquid added to his daily meals (which he happily scarfs down) for the past month (since May 9th). And he’s pretty happy about it because it means his limp won’t keep him from joining in on all the chores around the farm.

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

When my best buddy is feeling good, I’m feeling good, because that means he’s never in too much pain for a wrestling match!

You can check out TaylorHappy Glucosamine on Amazon and see if it’s something that might benefit your dog. And as a bonus you can SAVE $5 OFF with coupon code TROOPER1 *valid until 08/31/2015 (one redemption per customer)

And now for the best part…

TaylorHappy Glucosamine Supplement for Dogs // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

THREE WINNERS WILL WIN A BOTTLE OF TAYLORHAPPY GLUCOSAMINE!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pet Friendly Road Trip Adventures: Great Smoky Mountains

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Ammo

My week long road trip recap continues on the blog this week! Last week I shared my adventures in Washington, D.C. and the Shenandoah National Park and then headed on to today’s adventures, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pet Friendly Road Trip // The Great Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park // Pet Friendly Travel // Ammo the Dachshund

The Great Smoky Mountains straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and the drive is beautiful with an amazing view of the Smokies.

Skyline Drive // The Smokies // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

The Blue Ridge Parkway made my drive that much better, and I couldn’t get enough wind in my face!

The Great Smoky Mountains // Dog Selfie // Ammo the Dachshund

Of course I couldn’t help but stop along a few overlooks to take some selfies. Who doesn’t love a good selfie?

Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

My first stop in the Smokies was the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where I shared a picnic lunch and met up with my Uncle Taylor, who lives in North Carolina, for the day.

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

After lunch I set out to hike the Oconaluftee Trail, one of the two pet friendly trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

This 1.5 mile trail (one way) is relatively flat and follows along Oconaluftee River. I probably would have enjoyed a bit more challenging hike, but unfortunately most of the more scenic trails in the park are off limits to dogs. But I’m always one to follow the rules, because they are there to keep everyone safe.

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

I still had a blast taking dips in the river to cool off and despite the fact that this trail isn’t as tucked into the wilderness as I typically like, I got quite a fill of wildlife….

Elk // The Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

….I met Elk for the first time!

Elk // The Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

Although to me they just looked like smaller than average ponies!

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

After I reached the end of the Oconaluftee trail I was surprised to find myself in the outskirts of a small town, Cherokee, N.C.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

It was quite the contrast from my nature filled hiking trail, and I found myself suddenly immersed in a touristy town.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

I had a blast exploring the town, stopping for ice cream, watching other tourists ride the mechanical bull, and I even met some larger than life farm animals! It was a fun little surprise at the end of my trail that I very much enjoyed.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually it was time to hit the road again, and I headed off to my accommodations for the night in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

I’ll be back to share more about my road trip adventures the rest of this week, so stay tuned!

Any other pups out there hiked in the Smoky Mountains before? I wish I had had time to check out the other pet friendly trail in the park, the Gatlinburg Trail, but perhaps next time!

P.S. for anyone wondering where my super comfy car travel bed comes from – check out my post about Pet Safe Travel.