Wonder woofers

This column article is in the Cedar Street Times this Friday… thanks to Wanda Sue Parrott

 

http://www.cedarstreettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/8-19-16-cstweb.pdf

see cici on page 14, article about wonder woofers

 

photo by Mark Anderson, Monterey County Weekly

Wonder woofers and owners who won’t live without them

“Housing First!” If you were a homeless woman, or on the verge, housing would be your top priority.

Alas, affordable housing is so lacking in Monterey County, that “housing first” is the slogan all agencies, both public and private, use in dealing with affordable housing across the board.  (Note: Cici and I wish this were true)

A special category of need exists that involves homeless women with pets, a few being cats and the majority dogs. The exact number of Monterey’s homeless pet owners is unknown.

Overnight dog housing needed

Landlords don’t want pets and agency-housing doesn’t usually allow them.

Homeless women don’t want to give up their dogs, so they sleep in their cars or on the street to be with their animals.

One reason for temporary suspension of the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program for Women (I-HELP) was the fact female guests weren’t willing to give up their canine  companions in exchange for food, personal amenities and shelter.

Suggestions have been made that an I-HELP for Pets program be devised through which pets can be sheltered at a designated location, then reunited with their owners during the daytime hours.

Between 400 and 500 homeless women were estimated to live on the Monterey Peninsula before the Soberanes Fire dislocated residents who were burned out over the past three weeks. Of this number, an unknown percentage includes pet owners who consider their four-legged friends as more than just canines. They’re their Wonder Woofers.

A few words about Wonder Woofers

Cici is a poster-dog for this column. She’s a loving Dalmatian-Pit Bull mix seen here celebrating her 10^th birthday last month. Cici is a Wonder Woofer. Along with her Wonder Worker owner, Cici is homeless.

 

 

Since Cici can’t define Wonder Woofer, I’ll try.

A Wonder Woofer is a warm-blooded furry friend who speaks from the heart in arfs, ruffs and woofs we humans call barks. A Wonder Woofer is on the job 24/7, never complaining.

A Wonder Woofer likes to snuggle and wiggle and lick, as well as serenade his or her human with  love songs sung unconditionally through squeals, whimpers, whines and hums.

A Wonder Woofer’s vocal range is extensive, also being capable of issuing protective warnings by yipping, growling and snarling if danger exists.

CeliaSue Hecht, Cici’s loving owner, is a former journalist who’s so devoted to her pet that she defines herself as a “dog traveler.”

Unlike many homeless women who don’t know where to turn or how to get started to solve the housing crisis, CeliaSue is a 66-year-old articulate activist. Despite having survived breast cancer and being in need of medical care and housing, CeliaSue is seeking solutions to the housing crisis. A current example is this ad in Craigslist:

RVs for Seniors with Dogs

 

 

 

If you live on the Central Coast of California and have an RV, camper, or trailer or know someone that does and would like to provide a home for a senior or veteran, please call CeliaSue at 702-225-8206…we have a list of those in need of housing.

Hundreds of senior women have been displaced with their pets. Single women without children, women who are not mentally ill, not drug addicts, not alcoholics, with low income, not working or cannot find work, veterans, and other seniors with dogs, over 50 years of age, some ill and whose health has deteriorated without shelter. 

Thank you for your kindness.

http://monterey.craigslist.org/rew/5728749956.html

 

my dog training tips

here is our contribution to dog training tips:   sit, stay, fetch, move, lie down…

http://animal-health.co.uk/news/dog-training-tips-uk.html

Beach baby bungalows

Beach Bungalow Inn Morro Bay

Six reasons your dog’s haircut costs more than yours!

1. Your hairdresser only cuts the top of your head, not your whole body.

2. Your haircut doesn’t include a pedicure.

3. You don’t wiggle, spin, or try to jump out of your  hairdresser’s chair.

4. You don’t go for four weeks without washing or brushing your hair.

5. You don’t try to bite the scissors, brush or the groomer.

6. Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a bath.

Pamper your Pooch – Morro Bay Style!

Pamper your Pooch Mobile Grooming Getaway – Stay the night in one of Beach Bungalow Inn’s pet friendly signature guest rooms and let them pamper your pooch. Fido’s pampering will begin with a full service bath and trim by Pampered Paws Mobile Pooch Grooming, extra fee  for these services.  All dogs are groomed using GREEN products only. * A portion of the sales from your pet grooming reservation will go directly to Woods Humane Society in our community, so book today by calling the Bungalow at: 805-772-9700. 72 hour advance reservations required for these extra services, some restrictions apply, not valid with other discounts, other promotions or during holidays and special events.

Room/Accommodation Price Range: $129 to $319

Dog-friendly policies:

•Size: Maximum 60 pounds

•Maximum number allowed: 2

•Cost per dog: $20 Per Night

•Deposit: $0

•Percentage of rooms that are dog-friendly: Over 50%

•Breed restrictions: Dogs only andtwo2 per room

Dog-friendly property amenities:

•Dog Waste Bags

•Pet Packages

•Dining/water bowls

•Special treats

•Dog-friendly hiking/activity/attractions guide/listings at front desk

•Property will assist in making dog-sitting arrangements

•Doggy blankets and mobile pet grooming available on site for extra cost

Cici and I LOVED staying at the Bungalow. It did get cool at night and the fireplace (not real wood, the  kind that turns on via the wall) was just nice and cozy. Cici did not get a grooming but she did enjoy eating some tortilla chips on the patio with me at MiCasa, a wonderful nearby Mexican restaurant. I had a gigantic chicken burrito with rice and beans on the side.  I had breakfast (compliments of the Beach Bungalow) at a nearby family restaurant that had about six tables and a few outside. The country fried potatoes with cheese and egg on top were delicious and too much for one meal.

This Boutique 1940’s motor Inn has been restored to its mid-century charm with modern conveniences. Each room offers, complimentary full breakfast, free Internet and parking, fireplace, flat screen and cable TV, Turkish robes, slippers, In-room coffee, refrigerator and premium amenities. All rooms are non-smoking; some include full kitchenettes and are Pet Friendly too. Trip Advisor, AAA and Mobile highly recommended. Locatedtwo2 blocks from the Bay, Embarcadero Harbor, beaches and majestic Morro Rock.

http://www.morrobaybeachbungalow.com/index.php/category/specials/

http://www.morrobaybeachbungalow.com/index.php/category/attractions/

Visit Website

Reservation Phone: (805) 772-9700

Local Phone: (805) 772-9700

E-mail: info@morrobaybeachbungalow.com

Address:

1050 Morro Avenue, Morro Bay, CA 93442

take 101 south to 41 morro road exit 219, turn right, to 1050

Dogs Gone Green

Earth Day is a good day to support eco friendly and green companies and organizations. Fido,  your best friend, will appreciate putting on the green, too

Share Earth Day with Your Dog:

Attend a dog-friendly Earth Day event

Organize a dog park clean-up

Take a nature hike on a dog-friendly trail

Shampoo your furry friend with an eco friendly shampoo (organic, biodegradable) in a bone fido bottle, squish squish, even if your dog doesn’t like a bath, they’ll enjoy the suds, www.organicoscar.com

Cook your hound one of the 125 yummy healthy homemade meals from the Healthy Hounds cookbook which includes raw recipes, grain-free and Paleo by the folks over at dogtipper.com   http://www.dogtipper.com/books/healthy-hound-cookbook

Compost your dog’s waste

Share pet food with pets of the homeless   http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/

Put Dog Rocks into your dog’s bowl of water and save your lawn from urine burn, easy to use,   http://dogrocks.org/about/

Use an herbal flea prevention powder and drops such as Earth Animals Herbal Internal Powder

Clean the dog’s bed and crate (and spring clean your home) with Miracle II Soap (all natural and refreshing)

Pour an ounce of your liquid nutritional supplement filled with redox signaling molecules (ASEA) into her bowl every morning and watch Fido’s energy soar to new heights, zoom, zoom, zoom     http://asea.myvoffice.com/suemagic/

Love bites

love bites. Ok not talking about vampire romances or zombies dating. Am talking about the fact that there are people who get love marks on their necks (and other body parts) and I cannot think of the name of them at the moment. That is how out of touch I am with a love life.

My day revolves around a certain dog who wanted an encounter with a skunk this morning. No, thanks. Been there, done that. And in Cici-ville, you know all is upside down since that is her perspective from lying on her back looking at the world.

Anyway, romance is not supposed to be dead for those of us over a certain age (50 or even 60). In fact, I wrote a press release for Dr Christiane Northrup, a wonderful woman’s doctor, who had proof that women get hotter and sexier as they age. And our peak sex lives are supposed to happen as we enter our Golden Years.

OK. well, as usual I guess I am missing out on the trend.  I never did get REALLY married (well, I did for four years) but I am talking about FALLING IN LOVE, TRUE LOVE marriage for 10 years PLUS with my Prince Charming, I have been divorced for 15+ years now and Cici has been my only companion. That is sad, don’t you think?

So to add a little spice to my life (and yours maybe), I am going to write about my romantic life or lack thereof, attempts to write about romance and singlehood as a pet guardian. I will also include travel into the mix. Just thought that I would warn you that I am going to be taking this left turn into a new topic arena. Just in case you are interested, have tips, advice and/or are offended by romantic/sexy topics. Not graphic nor erotic stuff. Do not want to invite voyeurs, perverts or child molesters onto this blog. Anyone with an unhealthy appetite can leave now. Thank you very much.

But if you are willing to go along on a new track with me, hop on the bus, Gus. And don’t fuss about it. And if you think Baby Boomers, seniors and old people do not have a love life, think again. Valentine’s Day is soon upon us and we expect flowers and chocolates. We will be posting about love gifts for your dog and for the pet guardians as well as romantic retreats that are also pet friendly (our annual Valentine’s Day gift guides).

I have been trying to get through writing ONE romantic comedy book for awhile now. Think Jennifer Crusie meets Janet Evanovich meets Ciciville. Well, I had some of the elements down that I want in the book. But so far, I have changed the locale four times, from Las Vegas, to a made up town in Arizona based upon an actual town in Arizona, to 29 Palms and now we have landed on Virginia City, NV. Back to Nevada.

The setting is because it is about a romance blooming in the desert. And it has ghosts, a haunted B&B, that was a former house of ill repute, and a dog that goes humping everyone’s leg in the night. The heroine has two romantic interests. One her boss, Editor/Publisher of the newspapers she works for. Oh no no, you did not. Yes I did. And a new reporter. The two of them are to write dueling columns about a topic, to bring the gender wars into focus, gin up controversy and to sell newspapers. She is not sure how she feels about any of it. And she has two old aunties, who raised her, who think she is getting married to a dog. She IS planning a BIG gala dog wedding to raise funds for the local animal shelter. But her aunties are Lucy and Ethel on steroids. So what do you think? Would you read a book like this?  If I can get passed Chapter 3, perhaps you will be able to do so.

I am also working on the format for the California Travels with Cici guide I wrote, a new travel guide (much smaller) for the Southwest USA, and a chronic pain guide with a pit bull perspective. Perhaps one of these days, I will actually complete ONE of them or ALL of them. It would help a lot to have an agent. But in order to get an agent, I have to complete ONE book. Self-publishing is probably my best option.

In the meantime, if you have any thoughts about dating a dirty old lady (never mind), seniors dating, dogs dating, over the hill writers writing romance novels, (Grandma Moses was in her 90’s when she painted her first painting), then please feel free to comment below (keep it clean). thanks.

oh yeah, love bites… hickeys.  That is what I was trying to remember, the word hickey. Do you think it will be in the dictionary? When you were a kid did you look up all of the dirty words in the dictionary like we did?  what do you know, it was in the dictionary. Bad dictionary. Sit. Stay. Now Go Fetch me the rest of the plot for this book I am writing. Now I definitely have to include hickeys in it, don’t you think?

Doggone Spring Break 2013

Our pet policy here at Have Dog Blog will Travel is that we will feature places we like that have Dogitude, (go above and beyond to welcome dogs and their people) and even places we have never been if they allow ALL breeds of dogs, do not restrict pets based upon weight nor size, do not charge enormous pet fees, and are generally pet friendly and dog tolerant (although we prefer places that really welcome pets with big open arms and hearts).  If your venue does NOT allow dogs like my Cici, then naturally we prefer that you find another blogger to write about your place. Thank you.

Five hotels in New Mexico in three cities that are

pet-friendly and have custom pet-friendly packages and amenities. Note:  The ONLY hotel in Santa Fe that does NOT restrict based upon weight is the St. Francis and we applaud them for that. The other two hotels accept dogs up to 50 pounds. What happens after 50 pounds? Do the dogs woof more, shed more, become a nuisance, are real dogs?  We do not get it, but let it slide since these two hotels would allow Cici to visit. However, for our friends with dogs that weigh 60, 75 , 100 or 150 pounds, we do not condone this nonsense and suggest that you let the hotels know and go stay at the St. Francis.

Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque:

http://www.nativolodge.com/special-pkg/albuquerque-pet-friendly-pkg.aspx

Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe:

http://www.hotelchimayo.com/special-pkg/santa-fe-pet-pkg.aspx

Lodge at Santa Fe:

http://www.lodgeatsantafe.com/special-pkg/santa-fe-pet-pkg.aspx

Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe:

http://www.hotelstfrancis.com/santa-fe-pet-hotel.aspx

Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces:

http://www.hotelencanto.com/special-pkg/las-cruces-pet-pkg.aspx

 Oregon

Lincoln City OR has a reputation for being a pet friendly place to visit. From lodging options, to activities, Lincoln City has a lot to offer travelers and their furry companions.

Check out pet resources here:

http://www.oregoncoast.org/pets/

A few hotels in Lincoln City that offer pet friendly options:

http://www.lookingglass-inn.com/Dog_Friendly.html

http://www.thecoholodge.com/packages.html

http://www.theshearwaterinn.com/Dog_Friendly.html

More Lincoln City, Oregon info… Cici and I LOVED staying at the Capt. Cook Inn when we were there… it was a small motel, with LOTS of pet friendliness, privacy, clean and quiet at a very affordable price. We felt welcomed, it was charming and truly nice people in the midst of a very busy city. A hidden treasure.

THINGS TO DO

http://www.captaincookinn.com/Things-To-Do.html

http://www.oregoncoast.org/pets/

Other pet friendly hotels along the Oregon Coast…

http://www.oregoncoast101.com/lodging/pets.html

 Washington

The Woodmark Hotel is located on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland, Wash. The Woodmark Hotel is dedicated to providing all guests with a home away from home, which for many means travelling with their faithful canine companions.

Amenities for four-legged travelers are available upon request, and are offered free of charge. The shoreline paths, nearby city parks and beautiful scenery are perfect for a leisurely dog walk or invigorating run, ensuring a restful night sleep for all. The Woodmark provides everything needed to pamper pups with complimentary use of a cushy pet bed, food and water dishes, plus Woody’s walking map, bottled water, leash, tennis ball and doggy biscuits. Simply request a pet friendly stay upon booking and all the items will be waiting in-room.

First to welcome two- and four-legged travelers to the property is Woody Mae, a black Labrador retriever and the hotel’s “Director of Barketing.” In June through September, Woody Mae also hosts Yappier Hour on the Beach Café lawn, where pups and their people can enjoy the lake views, warm weather and a cocktail.

The Woodmark requires no additional fees to travelers with pets. For more information about The Woodmark’s pet policy, go to… http://www.thewoodmark.com/seattle-pet-friendly-hotel.php

New York and DC 

Pet-friendly Affinia Hotels, has properties in NYC and D.C. The boutique hotel collection caters to man’s best friend with Happy Tails which includes:

• Good Karma Rope Toys^TM by Jax & Bones for the pup to chew, play, tug, or fetch
• Plush, eco-friendly dog beds by Jax & Bones
• Delish dog treats by Dylan’s Candy Bar
• Food and water bowls (offered in deep and shallow depths)

Additionally, extra services can be arranged including pet psychic, grooming, walking/pet-sitting services, and much more.  Some Affinia hotels even go above and beyond:

·        The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel in Washington, DC invites your pup to enjoy their famed restaurant, Art and Soul, established by celebrity Chef Art Smith, where Fido can crack open a “Bowser Beer” (a non-alcoholic canine brew), enjoy a “Hungry Dawg” six ounce grilled steak and linger on a “Raw Deal” frozen dog bone. All of these items are on the restaurant’s Pooch Patio menu:  http://www.artandsouldc.com/images/Puppy_menu.pdf.

·        Affinia Manhattan is an official host hotel of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and was the home to the Best of Show winner for two years in a row!

·        TripAdvisor rated Affinia Dumont, located in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood, as the number one pet hotel for the second year in a row.

There is a $25 surcharge per stay.

More about dog friendly NYC and Wash DC

http://celiasue.com/2011/03/02/spring-break-for-bicoastal-pets/

http://celiasue.com/2012/04/02/spring-break-dog/

 

Achy breaky joints

Keeping your dog mobile

Traveling with your dog can be one of life’s greatest pleasures, so it’s vital to keep your pooch in prime condition for all the adventures that lie ahead.

A healthy dog is a happy dog but sometimes, even with the best of care, problems can arise. Just like their owners, many dogs can develop joint problems as they age. Thankfully, it is possible to manage conditions like osteoarthritis to make sure those special trips with your pooch don’t become distant memories.

You remember the song Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus? No one wants their dog to suffer with achy breaky joints.

Help prevent joint pain

Prevention is always better than cure so tackling possible joint problems before they start is the best strategy. If your dog is overweight. it is more likely to be affected by osteoarthritis or similar complaints as excess weight can put stress on joints.

Cutting back on food and treats, and making sure regular exercise is part of your dog’s lifestyle, is the first step to keeping your pet in top travel condition. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for dogs because it puts very little strain on their joints. Games which involve lots of running and jumping can have the opposite effect and while fun, could eventually do more harm than good.

Even though joint problems are usually associated with older dogs, you may wish to consider adding joint protective supplements to your dog’s diet before achy and painful joints set in. Strengthening and protecting the cartilage inside the joints can help maintain your dog’s mobility and enable them to get the most out of life.

Signs of poor joint health

If your dog begins to develop joint problems, you may notice they have slowed down and prefer shorter periods of exercise. Other signs to watch for are limping, difficulty in climbing stairs and taking more time than usual to get up from a sitting or sleeping position.

Glucosamine-chondroitin is one of the best-known supplements for dogs as well as humans. Glucosamine has been found to help build cartilage, the spongy material which works as a shock absorber inside joints, while chondroitin helps fight the enzymes that cause cartilage to break down.

Giving your dog glucosamine supplements can not only help ease pain, it could also help prevent the problem from getting worse.

Top tips for joint care

Utilize these top tips for good joint care while traveling and joint problems need not mean the end of the journey:

If you’re taking long drives and traveling long journeys, take regular stops to allow your dog to stretch her legs.

Provide soft cushioning for your dog to travel on, even if you are just going to your favorite local walking area.

Don’t forget to pack your dog’s glucosamine supplement to take while on holiday.

Ensure your holiday accommodation is dog friendly without too many stairs for your dog to climb.

Make sure your dog is at a comfortable temperature while travelling. Cold temperatures, even from a car’s air conditioning, can cause joints to become achy and painful.

Dogs on the road and swimming

washington wineries going to the dogs

If you are traveling to Washington state with your pooches, you might want to check out http://www.visityakima.com/wine-doggies/

for info on pet friendly activities and wineries in Yakima valley, Washington’s wine country… do Washington wine country with your four legged friends!

there is a winery walking doggie tour, events, doggie stories, a blog and more…

http://visityakima.com/wine-doggies/pet-friendly-attractions.asp

The wine doggies site does list a few places that offer pet friendly lodging, and if you click on some of the wineries and go to their sites, you may find listings of lodging like this, not all specify whether they are pet friendly or not…

http://www.maryhillwinery.com/lodging.asp

Teepee lodging…

enjoy an evening around the campfire before snuggling into your own private 20-foot tall teepee. Experience the romance of the West in cloud-like beds with fluffy down comforters and turn “roughing it” into a luxurious experience.

Barbeque grills, compact refrigerators, separate super-clean and private water closets, along with an open-air shower round out the amenities.

http://www.cherrywoodbbandb.com/lodging.html

pets welcome… guest house provides comfortable, spacious accommodations for up to six adults.

http://www.tefftcellars.com/GuestHouse.htm

pets allowed

http://www.canyonriver.net/accommodations.html

dog on duty

http://www.cavebinn.com/cuvee.php

Walla Walla Valley, WA
Vineyards in the Walla Walla wine region grow in both Washington and Oregon. More than 100 wineries are in the region, get a listing of close to 40 that are dog-friendly. Be sure to take the pooches to Durham Cellars  … their red and white wines are named for their beloved winery dogs and ‘hospitality committee’, Konnie and Maysy, two border collie mixes.

http://www.winesnw.com/walla.html#Dog-Friendly

http://www.seattleite.com/wine-o%E2%80%99clock-wednesday-barking-wine-tastic/

a thriving pet friendly economy

Popular consensus holds that the recession is negatively affecting most Americans (the 99%). Yet pet owners are still managing to spoil their pets even in this economy. Approximately $50.84 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S. in 2011. That’s a lot of dog cookies and bones. A majority of the money will be spent on boarding, health care (vet bills), and pet travel including stays at pet friendly hotels.

When traveling with pooches, many pet parents are concerned about items such as fees, amenities, policies, location location location, as well as pet friendly hotel chains that cater to Fido.

Pet friendly accommodations include low or no pet fees, lots of amenities including pet tags, beds, treats, lots of room to walk the dog, potty waste bags, pet menus, and lodging that offers pet friendly perks such as pet massage, yoga (doga) classes, doggie gyms, a pet mascot, pet friendly concierge and other hotel employees and a location nearby to dog parks, dog beaches, dog friendly wineries, and/or other dog friendly places and activities. Other amenities offered at pet friendly hotels include Spa treatments for dogs. And high-end toys, jeweled collars and their own wardrobes. Even camp, gourmet treats, a water bowl and fresh bottled water.

Hotels that are pet tolerant (as opposed to friendly) with restrictive policies (weight and breed restrictions), high pet fees, and low on amenities do not get as much pet traffic as pet friendly hotels.

Spending on pet services, such as grooming, boarding and day care, is expected to top $3.65 billion. Brands from Old Navy to Paul Mitchell and Omaha Steaks all have pet lines now, according to the American Pet Products Association.

For more information, visit our pet friendly travel blog posts here at Have Dog Blog Will Travel. Some are listed by the city (Las Vegas, Half Moon Bay, for instance). We share our experiences at various pet friendly hotels/venues as well as make recommendations in our free online pet travel resources for pet parents traveling with Fido and Fluffy.

Visiting another city/town for the howlidays? Have Dog Blog Will Travel offers a directory and online guide of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline policies, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

https://celiasue.wordpress.com/free-guide-to-pet-friendly-cities/

some pet friendly lodging from miami to arizona

http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/gallery/0,,20543528,00.html

this Great Dane dog is ready to roll… 🙂

http://www.northrup.org/photos/random-dog/?page=2

a slice of dog heaven: Santa Cruz

DOG FANCY magazine (http://www.dogfancy.com) has named Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the winner of the 2011 DogTown USA competition, saluting it as America’s most dog-friendly city.

This year’s contest also named four regional winners:

·         Northwest: Bend, Ore.

·         Northeast: Doylestown, Pa.

·         Southeast: Knoxville, Tenn.

·         Southwest: Santa Cruz, Calif.

Congrats to our friends in Bend, Oregon and Santa Cruz. Uh oh, what happened to Carmel????  It did not even make it in the top five. Santa Cruz is nearby. Seems like Carmel should be at least in the top ten. But apparently the magazine did not include Carmel at all.  They did not say why.

The criteria used to select the winning city included plenty of dog-friendly open spaces and dog parks, events celebrating dogs and their owners, ample veterinary care, abundant pet supply and other services, and municipal laws that support and protect all pets.

Dog Fancy editors traveled to Coeur d’Alene to present the city with this top honor and present $5,000 to the Kootenai County Dog Park Association. Additionally, Natural Balance Pet Foods will donate 1,000 pet food meals to Kootenai Humane Society on behalf of Coeur d’Alene, and 500 pet food meals to each of the regional winners.

For the complete story on DogTown USA, pick up the October issue of DOG FANCY (http://www.facebook.com/DogFancy), on newsstands August 23, 2011.

Labor Day weekend is almost here, so a good place to visit with your pooch(es) would be Santa Cruz. Sun, sand and fur.

More about Santa Cruz:

Dog Off Leash areas

http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=934

Hikes with dogs in Santa Cruz county

http://www.naturedogs.com/hike.php?id=59

Dogs parks

http://santacruz.patch.com/articles/santa-cruz-dog-parks-are-not-just-for-dogs

Dine and shop with dogs and more

http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/dog-friendly-directory.html

Charmer of the week from the SPCA in Santa Cruz  (good karma to adopt not shop)

http://www.santacruzspca.org/