Creature Feature

I've stalked moose in Maine, hiked with llamas in Massachusetts and even hugged a beluga in Connecticut, but my New England Animal Adventures have been relatively tame compared with the wild encounters some of my colleagues in About.com's Travel Channel have experienced.

Honeymoons/Romantic Travel Guide Susan Breslow Sardone, who shot the Big Five on an African safari (with her camera, of course!), recently compiled a blog carnival featuring our favorite animal attractions, and when I saw that Hawaii Guide John Fisher has waddled right into a penguin soap opera, Hotels Guide Charlyn Keating Chisholm has swum with stingrays, and Cruises Guide Linda Garrison has set sail with killer whales, I felt a bit sheepish about my contribution: a visit to Vermont's Dog Chapel. Then, I remembered: Feathered, finned and furry creatures don't need to be big, bickering, prehistoric-looking or deadly to enthrall us. The Dog Chapel, which makes a great fall day trip, reminds visitors of just how individual--and beloved--our canine companions can be. Plus, you can bring your dog along. That's not an option on safari or at Stingray City.

> Discover All 27 of Our Favorite Animal Adventures

Photo of dogs visiting Stephen Huneck's Dog Chapel © 2004 Kim Knox Beckius.