The Laurel Inn really knows how to make a dog feel welcome.  Water and treats are always on hand at the front desk and the hotel even has a dog concierge working a few shifts each week.  The Pet Package I booked included treats and a toy (which Eko loved) and tokens for free use of the dog wash around the corner (which Eko did not love).

The Laurel Inn has the answer to all of your dog's questions

The hotel is within walking distance of Presidio Park, so after another trip to the off-leash area we swung by the Pet Food Express to get Eko a well-earned bath.

The Marking Our Territory Motto

Have I ever mentioned that Eko is not a big fan of baths?

With dogs walking in and out of the store, I had to use some serious reflexes to keep Eko from jumping out to say hello

Eko disagrees

Between the pet-friendly amenities and the hotel's location between a pet store and an off-leash park, the Laurel Inn has everything a pet-owner could ask for.  Be sure to check it out if you and your pup ever visit San Francisco.

If your pup likes people watching, be sure to ask for a room facing the street

Word on the street is that dogs are welcome on the city's famous trolleys, so Eko and I are looking to hop aboard one as we explore downtown.  If you're around after work, Eko and I will be headed to Allyne Park around six.  Come stop by for a romp!

With so much going on in our lives, it's easy to forget things.  We forget to go to the store, we forget where we put the keys and we forget to pay the IRS (sorry about that one, Uncle Sam).  But above all else, it seems like we too often forget to play, have fun and enjoy ourselves.  Thankfully, dogs never forget how important it is to play.  Yesterday, I was distracted by a number of things, but Eko ran to the door and gave me a look which said, "As long as you don't spill coffee on it, your computer will always be there, but we only have one shot to live this day to the fullest!"

And so I laced up my shoes and we set our course for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Our first stop was Presidio Park - we hit the trails and wound our way up and over to the bridge

Sure beats sitting in the hotel room 

We cut down the trail and found an off-leash area in view of the bridge 

And just when it seemed like things couldn't get any better, we found an off-leash beach with views of the bridge and Alcatraz.  Talk about prime real estate!

Eko causing mischief in the shadow of Alcatraz

After we made it back, Eko came up with a creative solution to the problem of how to sunbathe and sleep in the dark at the same time

Thanks to Eko, I got my butt in gear and we had a great afternoon that I otherwise would have wasted.  So next time your pup gives you a look like he or she is ready for adventure, lace up your shoes and follow along!  You'll have fun, feel great and the world will look a little brighter when you get back. Dogs are good like that.

No, this photo is not the result of an Eko cloning experiment.  On Thursday afternoon we met up with Marci, a local LA resident and Ridgeback owner.  I met Marci thanks to Barbara, another Ridgeback owner who posted on the blog.  Marci also happens to be a casting director, so hopefully she can get Eko a part in the next blockbuster she casts for!

On our our way out of LA LA we stopped by Three Dog Bakery and saw this for sale. Did I have any idea what it was? No. Did I buy it? Obviously. Turns out that it's just pure beef broth with some glucosamine and vitamins - Eko loves it as a treat!

 Before we hit the Pacific Coast Highway we spent Friday Night in Morro Bay at the Bayfront Inn.  They really knew how to make their guests, both human and canine, feel right at home

The squirrels in Morro Bay were entirely unconcerned that Eko was just a few bounds away from their Friday night dinner party. Luckily for them I had a tight grip on the leash

Gracious as always, Eko allowed me to join him for dinner at Dockside Too in Morro Bay

I need to figure out where Dockside gets its signs

We started off Saturday with a trip to the Morro Bay Dog Beach - you can see Morro Rock half-lost in the morning fog.  I managed to momentarily subdue Eko for this stoic shot...

...and then he went right back to his usual happy-faced romping

Our next stop was the Elephant Seal Rookery. Although it appeared like these seals may have partied a bit too hard the night before, we learned that they were actually just resting before their northern migration.

"Hey seals, meet me at dog beach!"

It may take longer to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, but the views are well worth it.  The road had plenty of points where you can pull over and get some amazing photos. 

The views are so incredible that you'll just feel like hugging the nearest creature

And so after an adventurous few days we find ourselves in San Francisco.  The first order of business is to buy an external hard drive so I won't have to worry about losing all my data again.  After that, we're off to find the best Bay Area pet-friendly adventures.  We're finishing up our time in California this week, so if you have any last minute suggestions be sure to let me know.