Real Estate by Sarah Lynch

If you didn’t know, now you know:

Bend is a dog town.

Dogs are at breweries, school pickup, floating the river, riding shotgun, waiting outside shops, and generally woven into daily life here.

It is part of the culture.

But one thing people moving to Bend sometimes have to learn is that dog-friendly does not mean off-leash everywhere.

And it definitely does not mean everyone wants to meet your dog.

Not every trail allows dogs off leash.
Not every dog is friendly.
Not every person wants a dog running toward them.
And not every mountain biker coming around a corner has time to react.

This is less about being uptight about rules and more about understanding shared space.

Read the signs.
Know the off-leash areas.
Pick up after your dog.
Pay attention when trails are crowded.

One of the reasons Bend’s outdoor culture works is because most people try to be considerate.

That is worth protecting too.

-Sarah 🌅