Dog Star Wash and Shop
Address: 8125 W. Manchester Avenue, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 (Map It)
Phone: (310) 306-1090
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Price: $
Parking: Parking Lot

It is that time again…Katsu’s bath time! I would not say that this is Katsu’s favorite activity.  However, with that said Katsu easily forgets about bath time when he is offered some peanut butter cookies from the staff at Dog Star.  The staff is very friendly and helpful. We usually take Katsu here once a month and we do the self-wash. They also have a S’Paw Menu if you prefer to have your dog groomed by them.

For the self-wash, they provide you with soap and all of the other essentials you will need.

They have 6 different spa suites. In each of the spa suites, there is a waist-high bathing tub and easy load ramp for your dog to walk up into the tub.

Step 1: Lather up and Rinse!

Step 2: Dry off!

Step 3: All done and smelling good!

We would love to hear from you! Go to our Facebook Fan page and post up some pictures of your dog’s funny bath time moments!

Cafe Brasil
Address: 10832 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034  (Map It)
Phone: 310-837-9506
Hours: 11am – 10pm
Price: $$

Cafe Brasil is a hidden gem with delicious food and a unique outdoor eating area perfect for lunch or dinner with your four-legged friend! There are two locations in West Los Angeles, but I tend to frequent the one on the corner of Venice and Westwood Blvd. At first glance the place looks like a mish-mash of tables and overgrown plants, but the quirky atmosphere is part of the charm of this cafe!

The food is great, and most dishes are served with rice, beans, plantains, and a soup or salad. My favorite is the breaded chicken, or milanesa, while M prefers the salmon dinner. And I always get the freshly made lemonade, delish!

About half of the seating is outdoors, which is perfect when Vinnie comes along. The staff is friendly towards dogs as long as you sit on the outer edges of the restaurant. And I always bring snacks for Vinnie so he can enjoy some tasty treats while M and I enjoy dinner!

Do you and your pup have a favorite outdoor restaurant?

Healthy Spot
Address: 1110 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (Map It)
Phone: (310) 458-2004
Other location: West Hollywood, CA 90069 (Map It)
Hours: Monday- Friday: 8am-9pm, Saturday, Sunday: 9am-8pm
Price: $$$
Parking: Spaces behind the store

This past week was Katsu’s 4th birthday so we decided to take him to “healthy spot” to get some delicious treats to celebrate!

Healthy spot is a dog boutique that not only has a wide variety of goodies for your dog but they also have a day spa, styling salon, and a small dog daycare.

Decisions, decisions…it took Katsu awhile to pick out his birthday treats.

Finally, he decided on the birthday cupcake, squirrel (one that he can eat), and a heart (for love).

Share with us some of your dog’s favorite shopping spots!

Petco Park
Address: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
(Map It)
Phone: 619-795-5000
Hours: The park is open daily, except on game days when it is closed to non-ticket holders 2 1/2 hours before games.

As we were walking the streets of downtown San Diego on our latest trip there, we came across the park at the Padres baseball stadium, Petco Park. Living up to their namesake, the area immediately outside of the stadium has been built into a park friendly to dogs and humans alike!

The park is surrounded by condos and hotels, providing an escape from the urban scene.

That morning we strolled into the Padres team store with Vinnie in tow. We also took some time to walk through the grass and even catch a family and their kids playing on the little league field.

What makes this park really unique is its access to the stadium. You and your pooch can get pretty close to the outfield and get an exceptional view of the stadium.

The park is closed a few hours before baseball games. But on non-game days, it’s a great place to walk your dog and enjoy the scenery! Vinnie and I were true Padres fans, if only for a day!

What are some of your favorite parks? We’d love to hear about your dog’s favorite spots!

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop

Address: 609 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291 (Map It)
Phone: (310) 399-4888
Hours: Monday- Friday: 9am-9pm, Saturday: 9am- 8pm, Sunday: 11am- 6pm
Price: $
Parking: Private Lot
Prices/Stylists

*This location allows dogs inside the waiting area. Please call and check other locations prior to your visit to ensure they have the same dog friendly policy. Policies may change or can be different in other locations.

Check out Floyd’s 99 in other states such as Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Massachusetts.

Is it your turn to get groomed? If so, why not have your dog watch or wait for you while you get groomed? Isn’t it normally the other way around? But not at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop!

This is definitely not your typical barbershop!

Posters of Nirvana to The Rolling Stones are plastered all over their walls. The shop’s unique garage door is fully open to let in a cool breeze of air while you get your haircut.

The Floyd’s 99 shop that we frequently visit is the one in Venice, Los Angeles.  It is a one of a kind dog friendly barbershop. Your pup is allowed in the waiting area and can wait for you while you get your haircut.

If you were wondering, the answer is, yes, those are paws that you see on their ground around where Katsu is laying.

The paws actually lead you to their stand of doggy beauty fur products! Yes, that is how dog friendly they are! Why not also pick up some great fur products for your dog while you get your haircut?

Have you been to the Floyd’s in your area?

Three Dog Bakery

Address: 14545 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA  91403 (Map it)
Phone: 818-304-0440
Price range: $
*Check out the Three Dog Bakery website for other Southern California locations and locations across the US.

Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks has several pet friendly shops, but the Three Dog Bakery is one of Vinnie’s favorite. Somehow, Vinnie always knows there is food inside as we approach the store. He starts pulling on the leash, getting us to hurry up. There is a small patch of grass in front and a big bowl of water, kind of like a rest stop, but for dogs. After Vinnie takes care of business, we go in for the good stuff.

Vinnie’s usual fare is dry dog food, with some extras sprinkled in throughout the day such as table scraps, apples, or general dog treats. But every now and then Vinnie gets a real gourmet treat from the Three Dog Bakery. While the treats are a bit pricier than your regular boxed treats, I usually get about two or so of the baked goods, spending only a couple bucks. Since Vinnie only gets these a few times a year, it’s definitely affordable.

Three Dog Bakery sells an assortment of dog-related treats and products. They have pre-packaged treats that you can buy and save for later, as well as a serve yourself station with different dry snacks that you can mix together.

They also have toys, bowls, clothes, and welcome mats, among other unique items.

The best, though, are the baked goods behind the glass counters, or at least that’s what Vinnie tells me. They have tons of different treats, from peanut butter cups, to pupcakes, to cookies. They also have cute cakes perfect for your dog’s next birthday party.

On this last visit, we bought Vinnie a handful of baked goods, including a pupcake  (a mini cupcake with frosting) and a peanut butter cup. The treats will stay good for a couple days once you get them home, so we space them out across a couple of days. Of course Vinnie would be happy to eat them all at once!

Does your dog love the treats from Three Dog Bakery as much as Vinnie? We’d love to hear about it!

Ever wanted to fly with your pet but not sure what their policies and fees are? Well, here is some information that we found.

Certain airlines require you to make reservations ahead of time. We recommend you call each airline directly and get to the airport early when traveling with your pet.

Have you ever flown with your dog? We would love to hear about your experience!

Airline	Policies	Costs (costs change often)	Airline Website
Southwest	Cabin only 5 pet carriers allowed per flight (1 pet carrier per passenger/each carrier may contain two cats or dogs and must be of the same species per carrier) Pet weight limit: Please call airline to confirm.	$75 each way (cabin)	Southwest Website
Jet Blue	Cabin only 4 pets allowed per flight (1 pet per passenger) Pet/Carrier combined weight limit: 20 lbs or less	$100 each way (cabin)	Jet Paws
Delta	Main Cabin: 4 pets allowed (1 pet per passenger) Pet weight limit: Please call airline to confirm. Cargo: available	$125 each way (cabin)	Delta Website
United Airlines	Pets are not permitted on certain flights. Please call airline for more information. Pet weight limit: Please call airline to confirm. Cargo: available	$125 each way (cabin)	United Airlines Website
American Airlines	Cabin: 7 pet carriers allowed per flight (1 pet carrier per passenger/each carrier may contain two cats or dogs and must be of the same species per carrier) Pet/Carrier combined weight limit: 20 lbs or less Cargo: available	$100 each way (cabin)	American Airlines Website
Continental	Cabin: 4 pets allowed per flight (1 pet per passenger) Pet weight limit: Please call airline to confirm. Cargo: available	$125 each way (cabin)	Continental Website

Hilton- San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Address: 401 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (Map It)
Phone: 619-231-4040
Price Range:  $$$ (plus $75 extra for pets, entire stay)
Pet weight limit: 75 lbs.

Even Vinnie needs a break from the routine. Never mind that he spends most of his days sleeping, eating, and lounging at coffee shops in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. It’s hard work being a bulldog! To help Vinnie relieve some stress, M and I decided to get away for the weekend to sunny San Diego. We wanted to relax, but still be close to the action, so the Gaslamp Quarter was our destination!

Downtown San Diego is made up of several blocks of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops, known as the Gaslamp Quarter. I love that everything is nearby any time of day, whether at 1pm in the afternoon or 1am in the morning. While it can get pretty rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights, the downtown area can also be a place to just relax and hang out, or catch a baseball game at Petco Park.

For this trip we stayed at the Hilton hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel is in a great location and very welcoming to dogs.

Although I made the reservations online, I also called to ask about their pet policy. Each hotel has different weight restrictions and pricing, which are often not listed on the hotel’s website, so it’s always best to call. The Hilton had a 75 lb weight limit and charged $75 extra for pets.

In our hotel room we were welcomed with a hand written note and a goodie bag with dog food and coupons. The staff member who checked us in was also able to get us a room with a small balcony overlooking the grassy area.

I loved that there was a park right in front of the entrance, which served as an impromptu dog park for nearby pets. One morning a nice group of about five dogs gathered in the park, so Vinnie made plenty of friends that day.

The restaurant on the first floor of the hotel did not allow dogs inside, but they were happy to have four legged customers in their patio area. Right outside the Hilton you will find plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating, so there is always somewhere to go with your furry friend.

We spent much of our time exploring the nearby shops, eating, and relaxing in the hotel. Vinnie especially enjoyed the king sized bed with the fluffy covers.

Vinnie was treated like a king at the Hilton! What have been your experiences staying at hotels with your dog?

Bark in the Park
Event Date: August 21, 2010 at 5:10pm
Dodger Stadium
Address: 1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Map It)
Phone: 323-224-1500
Parking: $15 (regular parking)
Price: $25/person and $25/dog
Bark in the Park Website

Highlights

Seating: Right Field Pavilion

$25 Ticket: includes UNLIMITED Dodger Dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, Coke products, and water.

For your dog: Goodie bag, unlimited fresh water, and potty grass area.

Environment: Clean, but crowded.

__________________________________________________________________________

Dodger Dogs. No, not the kind you eat. The kind that take walks, chase balls, and sit at your feet. Yes, hundreds of dogs at Dodger Stadium! It was the first ever Bark in the Park at Dodger Stadium, where our four legged friends could join us in the stands. The event started with look-a-like contests and Tillman the skateboarding bulldog putting on a show.

There was also a red carpet, where the dogs were the stars….and boy did they know it! Everyone was excited to be there, and several dogs dressed up for the event in Dodger gear.

An hour before the game started, the dogs and their owners were allowed onto the field for a parade around the park. This was, by far, the best part of the night! The stadium is amazing from the field, giving you a tiny glimpse of what the players get to see.

Vinnie and Katsu strutted their stuff on the field, along with the other dogs, as fans in the stands looked on. We made our way around, with security telling us to stay off the grass. I was waiting for a dog to make a potty stop on the grass, but luckily everyone followed orders. I’m not sure who enjoyed the parade more, the dogs or the owners!

We finally got to our seats in left field, also known as the all you can eat section! Here we finally got a real Dodger dog, along with nachos, popcorn, and peanuts. Vinnie spent much of his time begging for food and looking cute, hoping for a piece of hot dog to find its way to his mouth.

Katsu, on the other hand, was super tired from a long day out and about. He found his way to his parents lap and enjoyed a long nap!

With so many cute looking dogs making a scene in the stands, it was hard to keep track of the game. But we definitely saw the four consecutive home runs made by the Dodgers that night! I think the pooches brought a little bit of luck to the Los Angeles Dodgers that night, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5.

A long night for both humans and dogs, but definitely worth it! Check out your local team for future dog games. Currently only a few stadiums are doing the dog events, but with so much success, more are surely to join the pack!

For the lucky dogs who were able to attend Bark in the Park, how was your experience?

Or have you been to a similar event in your city? Drop us a line in the comments section!

Runyon Canyon
2000 N. Fuller Los Angeles, CA 90189 (Map It)
Phone (LA Parks): (323) 666-5046
Hours: Monday – Sunday: Dawn to Dusk
Off-leash: Yes
Parking: Street
http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks…

During one of those sunny afternoons in Los Angeles, D and I decided to take Katsu to Runyon Canyon, a 160 acre park with tons of hiking trails. The park has a liberal dog policy, allowing dogs to be off-leash in 90 out of the 160 acres. At Runyon Canyon, you will never know when you will run into a celebrity, whether it is Brad Pitt exercising or Cesar Millan running with his pack of dogs.

Before you start your hike, if in case you forgot your water or just need a power bar to help you get up the hill, have no fear, there is a box of goodies waiting for you at the front entrance (Vista Street and Fuller Street). There are also recycled plastic bags for your dog to keep the park clean.

On this particular day, the weather was warm with a gentle breeze. We started at our usual entrance (Vista Street and Fuller Street) and made our way towards the direction of the evil steep stairs. Right before the stairs, we stopped to admire the beautiful view.

As you make your way up the stairs, you will find that your furry friends will be passing you, making their way up effortlessly. Once you reach the top, you will see many fellow humans and their furry friends taking a break at the rest stop.

All and all, this is a great hiking trail to take your dog. (The only one con is parking; be sure to allow extra time for finding a parking space).

As you can see, Katsu is exhausted from a full day of exercise and meeting many new friends along the way.

Where is your favorite hiking trail?

If you have been to Runyon Canyon, how was your experience?