The Privileged Pooch in California

Travel Journalist and Her Pampered Pooch

Find the Pet-Friendliest Places in Southern California

About 45 million households in the U.S. have dogs and 21 percent of them travel with their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. Southern California, with its year-round mild weather, miles of beaches, and multitude of sights and activities, is a frequent destination for vacationers. It’s also considered one of the most pet-inclusive regions of the country.

Dog Fancy magazine named San Diego “America’s Best City for Dogs” due to its dog-friendly beaches. Not every hotel, open-air restaurant, or shop welcomes dogs, so San Diego resident Maggie Espinosa and her dog Marcel set out to find the best ones that do. The result is The Privileged Pooch: Luxury Travel with Your Pet in Southern California, a guide to 69 hotels, 55 bistros, 56 fun-in-the-sun activities, and 36 trendy shops. The book covers San Diego, Palm Springs, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara.

There is a photo or a map on every page, and price ranges for the hotels, restaurants, and activities. “I rated the hotels with one to four wags for pet friendliness,” says Espinosa. “If a hotel or resort’s pet regulations were too stringent with weight limit and access to certain areas, or charged exorbitant fees, I didn’t include it in the book.” An award-winning travel writer, Espinosa provides a thorough description of the setting, décor, and services at each location, written in an entertaining commentary style. She mentions each hotel’s special services for pets—from welcoming toys and doggy menus to spas and dog sitters.

Examples of the amenities and treatment travelers can expect for their pets: · The Casa Laguna Inn & Spa welcomes dogs at breakfast and at the afternoon wine hour. Owners and their dogs can partake in a “Togetherness Massage.” A licensed canine masseuse treats the dog, kneading its back legs and shoulders, stroking its ears, and checking paws for proper circulation. ·

Pups at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel can enjoy the “Grrrreen Dog” package with a recyclable rubber chew, in-room meal, and an organic cotton bandana. At check-in, food bowls, treats and a placemat are delivered to the room. · The Healthy Spot, one in West Hollywood and one in Santa Monica, provides blueberry and plum pet facials, milk and honey baths, and moisturizing paw rubs. Organic and vegetarian canine cuisine, Fou Fou brand toys and K9 art fill the shelves. A grassy play area includes a red fire hydrant. ·

Many of the high-end shops at Fashion Island, an outdoor mall in Newport Beach, welcome pets. A Betsy Johnson Boutique treats pups to water and doggie snaps. Pets join their owners at the outdoor seating area at a number of stylish cafes and restaurants. Accommodating dogs is the focus of The Privileged Pooch, but Espinosa features hotels, boutiques, and eateries that would appeal to dog owners whether or not they were traveling with their pets. If more information is needed, she included the website and phone number for almost every location.

The Privileged Pooch; Luxury Travel With Your Pet In Southern California

by Maggie Espinosa

http://www.travelwithmaggie.com/

Best Shampoo for Yorkshire Terriers

We used this shampoo last fall and really loved it! Then my bottle got misplaced and we tried a couple other brands that were just OK. I found my bottle of Yorkie Splash today and was so excited, gave Trixie a bath this afternoon.

I remembered right away why I like it. It lathers up nicely and rinses out faster than anything I have ever tried. Her hair was squeakly clean! And had a nice soft gentle scent.

The owners say, "Yorkie Splash is made of organic ingredients. There are no man made chemical soap products (it is a castille soap) or artificial ingredients (with the exception of some parts of the fragrance oil). Because of this, it will take some time for your Yorkie to “adjust” to being cleaned naturally.

The first time you wash your Yorkie with Yorkie Splash, the immediate reaction after rinsing will be a “waxy” feeling. This is normal, and the waxy feeling will fade as the hair dries.

Shampooing with man made materials strips the skin of natural oils. So, the more often you wash with regular shampoo, the more oil the skin has to produce to keep the skin balanced. Once you start using a natural shampoo, there will be a transition process as the body tries to “rebalance” the oils. At first, your Yorkie may continue to over produce oil.

After about 3 – 4 weeks you will start to notice a big difference in your Yorkie’s coat. You will be amazed at what your Yorkie’s coat really feels and looks like – naturally! "

You MUST try these products! We love them! Yorkie Shampoo.

Audrey Hepburn and her Yorkshire Terrier Mr. Famous

Mr. Famous was Audrey Hepburn's first beloved Yorkshire Terrier, and actually appeared with her in a scene in Funny Face. DID YOU KNOW? It was Audrey Hepburn, who actually introduced Yorkshire Terriers to the world of celebrities, this big fashion to have a lap-dog started in Hollywood exactly from Audrey and her little friend Mr. Famous.

For Audrey, Mr. Famous was the object of her love, who shared with her the place on the magazine's covers. The tiny dog became an integral Audrey's companion, and the great actress was giving him all her love and devotion.

During the shoot of The Children's Hour, Mr. Famous was run over on Wilshire Boulevard and killed.

After the death of Mr. Famous, Mel Ferrer gave Hepburn another Yorkie named Assam of Assam.

Is This Cat Cuter Than a Yorkie?

OK - that kitty is REALLY CUTE!

But is she cuter than me???

The Yorkshire Terrier vs the Micro Pig

(micro pigs by Geoff Robinson Photography)

Should Yorkies be worried of the rising popularity of Micro Pigs?
They are cute, I will give them that. And their size is perfect.

Iguanas had their day but reptiles are so '80s.

There have been so many trends that holding the title of pet-du-jour for longer than five minutes is harder than finding a lost Yorkie at doggie daycare.

Pet micro-pigs are gaining popularity it seems. Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, gave her husband two last Christmas. Paris Hilton has added one to her collection of pets. Rupert Grint, aka Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" movies, recently brought two home.

Should the Yorkie be worried? or is this another passing trend?

They say they are loving. They will lay with you and watch TV.

And they seem to have feelings....

When it comes to pigs, of any size, I have to admit that I think of bacon, pork sausages or a good pork sandwich. And I also think of STINK and MUD! I also believe that dogs truly are man's best friend, not a pig. A dog was placed on this earth to be the perfect companion and, in my mind, history shows that they have fulfilled their role exceptionally well. A dog will play with you, go running with you and, when called upon in a time of need, will even protect you. I think movies like Charlottes Web and Babe are giving pigs a good name!

Well if you are thinking about a micro pig, remember this......Sure they can live a little longer than Yorkies. A pig can live to be 19 or even 20. But when they grow up, a fully-grown micro-pig can weigh between 40 and 65 pounds and can be over a foot tall.

I will never be that big!

So there!