Interviewee:
Julie Gordon (she)
In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative.
Tails of Salem is my love letter to the dogs of Salem—both past and present. I lead small dog tours (humans welcome!) that explore Salem through canine eyes, sharing little-known and often surprising stories about how dogs have been part of the city’s past, from colonial times to today. It’s a fun mix of history, storytelling, and a whole lot of dog love and treats along the way! Beyond tours, I host pop-up events and seasonal gatherings for dogs and their people. I also run the Tails of Salem website, which serves as a resource for all things dog-friendly in Salem—places to eat, shop, stay, and explore with your pup. It’s all about making Salem welcoming and fun for dogs and the people who love them.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative.
I’m a dog writer and storyteller who has spent the last 15+ years writing about the human-animal bond—specifically, how people can better connect with their dogs and enrich that relationship. It’s something I’m deeply passionate about. And after all those years of writing, I found myself wanting to take it further—to do something more hands-on, more community-based. That’s what led me to start Tails of Salem.
I was so inspired by the dog community here. A lot of places say they’re dog-friendly, but Salem is different—it doesn’t just allow dogs, it embraces them. Water bowls on the sidewalks, treats behind the counters, events that include dogs as part of the fun—it’s truly special.
Through my own dogs, I’ve made amazing connections. A relaxing Friday morning might be walking around Winter Island with a friend and their dog, or Friday night might be a human-canine group gathering at Couch Dog or listening to music at The Landing with some neighbors and all our pups. I wanted to celebrate that spirit and share it with others—whether they live here or are just visiting. That’s what Tails of Salem is all about: honoring the history of dogs in Salem, creating dog-friendly experiences, and helping people feel even more connected to their dogs and their community.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that had an impact on you?
The last thing I watched that really stuck with me was Inside the Mind of a Dog on Netflix. I’ve spent the past 15 years writing about animal behavior and training, so I already knew how much dogs are capable of in terms of learning, problem-solving, and communication. But this book went even deeper—it opened my eyes to the incredible complexity of their minds.
What really astonished me was how attuned dogs are to us—not just to our words or cues, but to our intentions and emotions, even when those signals are subtle or ambiguous. It’s humbling, honestly. It reminded me that our dogs are constantly watching, interpreting, and responding to us in ways we often take for granted.
It reinforced why I do what I do. That bond between humans and dogs isn’t just emotional—it’s deeply cognitive and cooperative. And I think the more we understand and appreciate that, the better companions we can be to them.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
People are often surprised to learn that I’m not a history buff. I never imagined myself starting a historical tour business—I’m much more into dog walks than dusty archives. But once I started exploring Salem’s past through the eyes of dogs, everything changed.
Suddenly, history wasn’t just about old buildings and dates—it was about companionship, instincts, bravery, and all the quirky ways dogs have shaped our lives. It made history feel alive, relatable, and honestly, kind of irresistible. I guess you could say dogs tricked me into loving history.
What is Creative Collective?
Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
