Can We Pretty Please Have Dog-Friendly Beach Hours In New Jersey?

We are less than 2 weeks away from the start of Memorial Day Weekend which means the Jersey Shore's peak season is around the corner.

Get our free mobile app

This area of the Garden State comes ALIVE during the Summer months.

Seasonal businesses open up, outdoor and waterfront dining at restaurants and bars is the standard and most well-known among locals, it is jam packed

But with more people comes more mess and responsibility which also means that the Jersey Shore becomes a much stricter place.

One of the biggest rules that goes into affect when beachgoers make their way down is dogs are no longer allowed on the beach whatsoever.

Yes, there are multiple dog-friendly beaches scattered throughout the Shore.

But I wonder why it is needed for Carolina and I to travel to one of the dog-friendly beaches when I live a few blocks from one??

Personally, all Carolina and I need is a small area near the water for us to play fetch and she is the happiest little pup you ever did see.

I think I have come up with a solution that all parties are satisfied.

In case you weren't aware, my dog, Carolina LOVES the beach. It is indeed her happy place and her pulling towards the beach when she can't go breaks my heart.

When the beaches are packed during peak sun hours, I totally understand.

There isn't the space for a dog to run around.

But once the sun starts to go down and the temperature starts to drop, the beaches substantially clear out.

So....may I suggest....

What about dog-friendly beach hours at the beginning and end of the beach day when the beach will be a lot less crowded??

The hours would have to be tinkered and adjusted based on each town and the lifeguards' schedules.

But if you, for example, welcomed leashed dogs and their owners before 8:00 AM and after 7:00 PM, the beach going crowd wouldn't be affected and our fur babies still get to have their time to roll in the sand.

Let's be real: very few people are up and at the beach by 8:00 AM.

For those late risers, getting to the beach by 12:00 PM would most definitely leave by 7:00 PM because seven straight hours in the sun is a lot.

I know what a lot of you are going to say in response.

"There is going to be poo and pee everywhere!" 

"Dog owners don't clean up after their dogs!" 

"Owners don't pay close enough attention to their dogs!"

"This new rule is asking for problems!" 

There are times dogs are not picked up after. You are 1000% right. The few do ruin it for the many in a lot of situations.

But I have already spotted trash and wrappers on the island and peak Benny season hasn't even begun.

To me, this no longer feels like a valid excuse for the doggy limitations because I am convinced the dogs are not the problem here.

I think there are people who are anticipating a lot more problems than there will actually be.

I still haven't convinced you?

How about some cuteness overload?

I get the hesitation because if you give people an inch, there are those people who will take a mile.

But one of my favorite things in this world to do is to leave my phone at my apartment and head to the beach and play fetch with my pup in the sunshine.

I think I love it just as much as she does because seeing her so purely happy and ready to play is some of the best therapy I've ever had.

[video width="720" height="1280" mp4="https://townsquare.media/site/393/files/2021/08/attachment-video-1627928472.mp4"][/video]

I know I am not the only one.

There is totally a way to safely implement a rule like this at the Jersey Shore!

PLEASE tell me you agree!

Email me with your thoughts at Nicole.Murray@townsquaremedia.com. 

Happy Summer to my fellow humans and puppers.

I bet once you and your finish up at the beach, you will be STARVING!

No problem. We got you covered.