The Dog Days of Summer, the Day After Labor Day

Local news

As restrictions on Cape beaches are lifted, dogs are taking over.

There are strict restrictions in place on most Cape Town beaches: dogs are not allowed from Remembrance Day to Labour Day.

So, with the sun shining and the weather still warm, locals flock to the beaches to let their dogs enjoy the last of the summer rays once the bans are lifted on the Tuesday after the holiday.

For many people, it’s an annual countdown until they can take their dog to the beach.

That’s why Boston.com decided to capture the moment Tuesday afternoon at West Dennis Beach.

“It’s a great day,” said Caryn Reardon of East Dennis, who took her daughter’s dog, Bromley, out to smell the salty air on Tuesday.

During the summer she took Bromley in the car, but today he was able to get out and stretch his legs.

“I can finally smell the seaweed,” said Mary Keefe of West Dennis, Sophie’s owner, during a walk along West Dennis Beach.

Carly Giacchetti and Connell MacClean, who came from Boston for the weekend, were happy to be able to take their dog to the ocean.

“We were so excited,” Giacchetti said when they learned they could take their dog, Rudy, to the beach.

Karen and Paul Healy from Dennis couldn’t drink water because their dog Roxie couldn’t get enough of it.

“We don’t know who loves the beach more,” asked Karen Healy as she threw a ball to her dog.

Stormy had a great time. Covered in sand and enjoying his Kong alongside his parents Dawna and Nick Oliva of Dennis Port, he was happy to finally set foot on the beach for the first time this summer.

“We’ve been counting down the days,” said Dawna Oliva. “He loves the beach.”

Scroll down to see more photos of dogs at the beach.