There was research done by the Minnesota Stroke Institute; 4,000 cat owners were studied over a ten year span, and is tells us owning a cat can dramatically reduce a person’s chance of dying from heart disease. Specifically, people who owned cats were 30 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. Although those researchers cannot make the same conclusions about dogs based on the data they gathered, they suspect a dog study would provide similar results.
That study merely adds to the existing evidence that shows how animals can benefit human health. For example, psychologists have found reason to believe that owning a dog helps lower your blood pressure and your cholesterol [source: BVA]. And other research shows that pets help us feel better overall and help us to deal with stress, which can be a source of illness
So if you are planning your retirement and traveling around the country, its stands to reason you are going to want to bring your pet with you. I know Gail and I love to have the dogs with us. In fact, we are going to rent a home in Hayesville next month. We found the home on www.VRBO.com, they have a special filter that you can turn on that will only show you homes that are pet friendly.
There are also hotels that are pet friendly throughout the state, and many that will still take a dog if asked nicely (and offered a healthy pet deposit). I suggest traveling with a collapsible kennel that you can keep your pet in while you are out of your room, although some hotels will provide you one.
You can buy travel kennels HERE.
Try one of these great hotels:
Aloft Asheville Downtown , Asheville
Abbington Green Bed and Breakfast Inn, Asheville
Barkwells, Mills River
Dogwoods Retreat, Brevard
The Park on Main Hotel, Highlands
Green Park Inn, Blowing Rock
The Fearingtron House Inn, Pittsboro
The Westin Charlotte. Charlotte
The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary
Otway House Bed and Breakfast, Beaufort
Atlantis Lodge, Atlantic Beach
Oak Island Accommodations, Oak Island
Innerbanks Inn and Restaurant, Edenton
Athol Plantation, Edenton