San Fran

What does dog friendly mean?  To me; it means that dogs are allowed.  Not only small dogs; or two dogs, DOGS.    San Francisco is a very dog friendly place; most hotels take dogs.  Some take small or medium dogs, which is nice if that is what your family consists of.  Size shouldn't matter; a small dog can make a huge mess; a large dog can be the best canine guest and visa versa.  A few hotels take them all; big or little and however many dogs you happen to have in your family.  The Argonaut in San Francisco is one that takes the whole family as is the Monaco.

The Argonaut is in a great location with lots of places to walk and a park right across the street.  They are situated in the heart of the Fisherman's Wharf.  Touring around San Fran you notice water bowls everywhere; I love a dog friendly town.   Taking your dog on a trip with you can be great; if they are prepared.  There are a lot of things out of the ordinary day to day when you go on a vacation.  Has your dog been in an elevator?  Would they mind all the hustle and bustle that can come with a trip?  What about being left alone in a strange hotel room?  I know my guys would not like this one bit; they would feel abandoned and more than likely bark their heads off until we returned. 

If you have prepared your dog to accompany you on a trip then having them join you is wonderful.  But you must consider how your dog would deal with all the different things that might arise.  If you think that they might be upset or not be able to handle the change then the best thing may be to leave them at home.  We have a sitter come into our home or have one of our children stay with the dogs.  We have found a wonderful dog sitter who just moves in; she's our replacement while we are gone.  The dogs retain their routine; they are in their own home as well.  Of course they miss us when we are gone but that is the only thing different for them to deal with. 

I miss the dogs the second I'm out of the house; I find myself searching for dogs to talk to on my trips.  The Golden in the image is the resident dog at the Hotel Monaco in San Fran.  What a hunk of a boy; Oliver and as sweet as they come.  The most important thing is that your dogs be comfortable and relaxed.  So that may  mean that they join you on your trip or they stay home where they feel at home.  And just think; absence makes the heart grow fonder.