Must Love Dogs

I've been telling friends about this great little coffee house a bit west of Weaverville since I visited the place last summer.

Patrons walk in to a great room with deep set windowss that look out to the patio and river, rustic walls with nooks for local art, candles and a jar containing doggie treats for 25 cents.

In fact, the first time I visited - there was an older dog wandering out on the patio. Immediately, I felt comfortable - taking in the summer morning with my coffee in hand, overlooking the river. Simply gorgeous. While I was not traveling with a pet - I liked that the Straw House seemed quite pet friendly - the doggy treat jar, my canine friend on the patio, even poop bags in a tidy container in the parking lot - a few feet away from a grassy area where it would appear that you could take your dog if you wanted to.

So months pass - - I tell Scalder about this place on the side of the road, a little bit west of Weaverville. Knowing that Ms. Greta P. accompanies Scalder much of the time - I figured, this would be an ideal place to go for a drive.



As I said, months have passed. I'm not sure if the Straw House has changed owners - or it was an "off" day. Scalder walks out onto the patio before coming in to ask the woman behind the counter if she can have Greta on the patio. The woman snaps "dogs have to be a leash!". Okay, but can they be on the patio? "dogs have to be on a leash". Um...so I go in and ask..."Is it alright to sit out on the patio with the dog, she is leashed?" The woman says "there are no dogs allowed on the patio". Okay.
So, Greta waits (on a leash) outside by the entrance. Patrons stop and talk to Greta, petting her and inquiring about her breed.


Finally, it's time to go. Scalder wants to let Greta run around before the drive back to Redding. Spotting the poop bag container on the tree right next to the gate leading to the grassy area....she heads for the gate. Before Scalder sets one toe past the threshold - the woman of "dogs must be on a leash" fame RUNS out and frantically says "dogs are not allowed on the grass, you can't have your dog out there". Okay, and we're off.

The Straw House is still a delightful place for a cup of coffee by the river - especially if you're camping in nearby Helena and want to cheat and go grab coffee out versus the rustic camping method. BUT - this place is sending a lot of mixed messages regarding dogs. I suggest a sign that says "dogs allowed in parking lot only" if that is even the case. It is unclear if they are even welcome there.