Daisy Dog Swims

Hi Everybody!

Did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to swim! Here I am at Uncle Dan's and Aunt Karen's house.

Napa Trip Last Blog & My Daisy Dog Travel Review

See blogs below for more on my Napa trip.

On the way to Napa we stopped to take a potty break and we saw these BIG things. HM called them "Dinosaurs". The other stops along the way, were not so exciting but HM & HD always managed to find a spot with grass so I wouldn't be walking around on hot pavement.

I've also included a few photos that HM took while we were walking around downtown Napa. I loved all the grass and like to run and play in it.

And finally... the Daisy Dog Trip Review!

Napa gets 4.5 paws! Sonoma is only getting 3.5 paws because the city square has an unfriendly park with No Dogs Allowed signs everywhere. That's an automatic full paw off. I didn't see any of those signs in Napa, plus Napa has the best dog park ever (see my blog about Canine Commons)!

We stayed at the Napa Discovery Inn. They only charged an extra $20 a night for me (and we learned they prefer that in cash) without a huge deposit like other hotels in the area would have charged. Behind our room there was a grassy field which was convenient for HM & HD to take me when I needed to go potty. I am a very good dog when traveling and have never had an accident in a hotel room because my HM & HD have had easy access to a potty place. This is very important when picking a hotel when traveling with your dog. There was a big Mommy deer and her baby that were in the field on a couple occasions when I went out. Mom deer would make it clear to me that I was not to go play with her baby. She stomped her feet at me. The hotel room was conveniently located to downtown Napa and although not luxurious, they didn't seem to mind that I was there. The Element in Las Vegas is still my measurement for hotels so that's why Napa only gets 4.5 paws as the Napa Discovery Inn was not quite as luxurious as the Element but was about the same price.

When traveling with me, my HP sometimes have to forego eating out. We ate at WholeFoods Market both in Sonoma and Napa for most meals as my Humans like the healthy take out meals and they have tables outside with a bowl of water for dogs. However, they had a very nice lunch at the Rutherford Grill and I got to lay under their table. There was another dog on the patio area as well. I highly recommend this place for humans to go and enjoy a nice meal when traveling in Napa-Sonoma area with a dog.

We also went to V. Sattui Winery for lunch after HM ran the Napa to Sonoma half marathon. We met her running friends there and I sat next to the big picnic table under shady trees. I would also recommend this as a dog friendly place. HM says the wine was very good too. They also have a big barbecue area where you can get all sorts of cool human meals.

Napa got "high paws" because overall there are lots of dog places to go, lots of grass, shady trees, places to eat with my humans and, of course, the coolest dog park (Canine Commons).

Me & HD by the City Hall sign. Note the nice green lawn was one of my favorite places to go potty.

Yum! I love eating Napa grass. Tastes better than fake Phoenix grass.

Some art thing in downtown Napa. They have lots of cool art things to look at.

Uptown theatre in Napa. They had lots of cool human entertainment scheduled. The week after we left, Lyle Lovett was playing. If you are traveling with your dog and want an evening out, there are lots of doggy sitting places that charge a small fee to watch your dog during the day. There were cards at Canine Commons for these services.

Ahhh.... nothing like a little cool grass under your feet when you need to take a potty break.

Note to Humans: Always carry little poo bags to pick up after your dog. Places are more dog friendly when dog owners are responsible.

HD & me next to some strange creature thing called a "dinosaur" during a stop on way to Napa.

At the Napa Half Marathon Expo

I went with my Human Parents to Cornerstone Gardens so HM could pick up her running number and stuff for her half marathon. This place had funny little pieces of "art" in different garden areas. I preferred just laying on the grass next to HD.

While we were there some of HM's running friends showed up and I was not very nice to them at first because I didn't know them. I met Darris in Las Vegas but I wasn't sure it was her so I kinda snipped at her (HM said that I was "bad" and I will be getting some training on being nicer to people that want to pet me). After I realized it was her, I felt bad and wanted her to be my friend. She ignored me though— so I had to try and charm her with puppy love to get her to pet me. It didn't take long and Darris is my friend again.

Me and some funny garden art.

Darris trying to ignore me.

Hah! That didn't last long!

I went to Napa!

Hi everybody! Sorry I'm so late updating my blog from last weekends trip to Napa, California. Human Mom (HM) needed to get all my photos off the camera and it took her awhile. She says there are too many photos for just ONE Napa blog so I'm going to break it up into 3 different blog entries. Hopefully, I'll get them all done along with my Daisy Dog Trip Review during the weekend.

I wanted to first blog about my most favorite part of Napa—Canine Commons Dog Park. This by far is the coolest dog park I've been to and I had so much fun running around with other dogs. I went there every morning we were in Napa. Human Dad (HD) took me there when my HM was running a half marathon and I ran my own half marathon! The park has lots of cool stuff for dogs. Trees, big fields (HM said they were "acres") play pools, tennis balls, agility obstacles and really cool Napa local dogs. I don't think we need to wait for my total trip review to give Canine Commons 5 paws!

Look at me go! I could run around in this huge fenced in area as much as I wanted. Those green things along the fence are something the humans called "wine grapes". I wanted to run in them too, but apparently Humans don't want me peeing amongst the grapes.

Me and HD by the grapes. I'm panting from running around so much.

This is my BFF at Canine Commons. Her name is Abbey. HM said I'm part Corgi, which is what Abbey is. Abbey has short little legs but she is SUPER fast and we had fun playing together.

Yep! I have some Corgi in me!

Here's the gate to Canine Commons. Once you get through the gate, your home free! You can run around as much as you want!

I LOVE to Swim!

Human Mom (HM) took me for a car ride today. Of course, I went to sleep and woke up when the car came to a stop. I was soooooo excited to be at my cousin, Jackie's house. Why?? Because I love my cousin and I love chasing her when she is catching all the tennis balls. I'm still too clumsy to get to the tennis balls before she does. I hope I can be a tennis ball catching pro just like her one day.

That was fun, but swimming was MORE fun! I figured out how I could get to the tennis ball before Jackie. When HM threw a tennis ball in the pool, Jackie went to the steps to get into the water. I just ran around the pool so I was right across from the ball and jumped in! HM says that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Worked for me! I had so much fun that I kept jumping in and getting out and then jumping right back in again. My Uncle Dan is gone on a trip, but he will be happy to know that I can get out of the pool on the steps now and don't have to swim all over the place before I find them. I can't wait to show him and Aunt Karen how I dive right into the pool now.

Me and my cousin, Jackie. She is a really good swimmer and I like to swim next to her.

Check out my form.

Swimming with sharks. They are not scary at all.

Me & Jackie again.

Thanks Everyone!

My Human Mom said I didn't make it into the final round for AZ Top Pet contest. But she said I'm way cuter than the mouse that made it and most of those other dogs too. She doesn't have to tell me though, because I look in the mirror and I just know I'm a "hot" dog (he-he). Just wanted to thank all my family and friends that voted for me everyday.

My Trip to Lake Tahoe!

Last weekend I went with my Humans to Lake Tahoe. Boy did I have fun! I have never seen so many trees, water and there were so many new smells. Here is my Daisy Dog Review and photos for everyone.

The Car

This was a much longer car ride than going to Las Vegas. Human Mom (HM) said it was 14 hours. I mostly slept and my Human Parents (HPs) stopped to take me for little walks and go pee every now and then. I liked stopping at In & Out Burger in Kingman because Human Dad (HD) got me a hamburger patty.

Where I Stayed

We stayed across the street from the State Park where HPs had friends camping. The hotel is called Lake of the Sky Motor Inn. My HM said it was getting a little "weathered" but the humans there were really nice to me and I slept on the bed next to HM because it was cold at night.

What I Did

HM was there for the Lake Tahoe Rowing Regatta. It got postponed until Sunday because there were big waves and was windy the morning of the race. She decided not to row on Sunday because HD had to be at work Monday morning. With a 14 hour drive on Sunday, HM said we would get home really, really late. That was good for me because I got extra "me" time with my HPs!

Saturday, I got to ride in the back seat of Dave's (HM's rowing friend) truck and we had lunch at a cool general store. I laid on the grass under the picnic table. Then we went to see something I had never seen before. It was lots of water and HM called it a "Waterfall". The waterfall was by Fallen Leaf Lake. That was really cool! There were so many good smells, beautiful places and things I have never seen before. There was also something called "snow" on the mountains.

I loved playing with a toy that my HM called "pine cones". Human Dad (HD) found out that pine cones are not really a good thing for puppies to chew on though. Something about the sap and bugs making me barf so I only got to chew one pine cone before HD delivered the bad news. He has this thing he looks stuff up on and I wish he didn't have that all the time.

Lake Tahoe has some pet friendly restaurants where you can eat outside. That was good for my Humans. We had pizza at Lakeside Pizza one night and Tahoe House another night. My HD got a meatloaf sandwich at Tahoe House and I got some. Yummy!

My New Friends

My HM introduced me to her rowing friend, Dave, and his family. I loved his wife Rita, daughter Susan and especially her boyfriend/fiancee, Bryan who rubbed my belly and played with me. There was also a little tiny Human Puppy named "Little Davie". He was cute and I licked him a couple times. He tasted different than big humans. His Mom, Sarah, was very nice too. I also met Pat and Dennis who are friends of camping humans, Dave & Rita. My HPs knew all of them before I was born. I guess they've been to Lake Tahoe several times. I loved Pat too and licked her toes. Dennis was a tall human so I only liked him when he was sitting down. Otherwise, I got a little scared. Same with Dave's puppy/son Steve. He is REALLY tall. My HM said I will get used to tall people and not be so scared after I see them all the time. At night all the Humans sat around something called a "campfire" and told stories. I got kind of bored and just chewed on some cool chewy snacks my HM bought me from Scraps Dog Bakery. That was a cool store with lots stuff for me. Just like my favorite store at home, Bonnie's Barkery.

The Daisy Dog Trip Review...

This trip was 3.75 Paws! Almost a perfect score! I loved all the humans I met, camp fire, pine cones, trees, water, car rides to new places. Our motel was a little disappointing (that's why this trip got 3.75 paws) because the owner is not updating and keeping it up as they should (that's what HM says). The people that work there are very nice though and they didn't charge extra because I'm a dog. My Humans have always stayed there when they visit Lake Tahoe and they do like the convenience of being so close to the State Park campground, stores, restaurants and beach.

Me & HM at State Park beach and dock. I liked to go for my morning walk here.

Me and my HD

Me and HM at the Tahoe Yacht Club. They sponsor the Tahoe Regatta.

Me at the Fallen Leaf Lake waterfall. It was really cool, but made me have to pee.

My new Human Friends, Dennis & Pat Fregger and Dave & Rita Goldner

HD & me at Mono Lake. It was on the way home and I took a little walk here. HM says we have to come back and stay longer so we can go on the big walks here.

I liked Lake Tahoe and HM says we'll be back!

AZ Top Pet ContestRound 2-Vote for Me AGAIN!

I made it to ROUND 2 thanks to all my Human Friends & Family voting for me!! I love you guys! Here is my brand new link to vote for me. Now there are only 200 pets to vote for and I hope you will continue to vote for me. Thank you HFs (Human Friends and Human Family)!

http://tinyurl.com/234az5q

Vote for Me!!

HM (Human Mom) is a bit biased and thinks I'm cute. So she entered me in a radio station's AZ top pet contest. You can vote for me once a day until the first round of voting ends.

Here is the link to VOTE FOR DAISY!!

http://tinyurl.com/3297h6s

My First Big Trip...

I'm back from first "real" car trip with my humans! I've been riding around to the store and such but it wasn't nearly as much fun as my BIG car ride to Las Vegas. So here it is... my first travel blog!

The Car

I tend to think of the car as a good place to catch up on my beauty sleep. My Human Mom (HM) and Human Dad (HD) said I did exceptionally well. I didn't really care about the big semi's going by and I didn't feel like chewing on all the baggage. I just went to sleep and occasionally woke up to get out of the car and pee in a new place and eat some treats.

Where I Stayed

HM looked for a place that would let me stay with them and she found the perfect place. I loved the Westin Element in Summerlin, Las Vegas. HM has a friend that works for Starwood Resorts and she learned about this place from her. We stayed in what HM called a suite. It has a cool little kitchen and family room area with a BIG comfy bed. It's called the Heavenly Bed and I slept really good on it every night. The Element hotel staff were very nice to me and they let me sit under the table when we had breakfast. HM and HD both liked it too. They said whenever there is a Westin Element when we travel, we'll stay there! BTW, I was a good dog and didn't have any accidents in the hotel. I always went outside or told my HM that I needed to go outside. My HM says that was very good of me as we don't want the Element to change their pet policy because of bad doggies.

What I Did

HM was there for a coaching certification class. Something about running. I wanted to go because I love to run, but I guess I wasn't allowed as I stayed with HD during the day on Saturday and Sunday. It was fun because he took me to a dog park where I got to meet some Las Vegas dogs and run all over and get really dirty. HD had to put me in the shower afterwards to get me clean before HM got back to the hotel. HD & I also took naps and I played with my toys when he was working on his computer.

My New Friends

Besides the dogs I met at the dog park, I also loved HM's friends, Darris and Heather (who stayed at the same hotel). They are so funny and I was excited to see them at the end of the day when they came to our room for a glass (or two) of human water. I think they called it something else and for some reason it doesn't look like the water in my bowl. They didn't mind when I had breakfast with them too.

The Daisy Dog Trip Review...

This trip was 3.5 paws (4 would be the best)! I loved the hotel and all the attention I got there. I especially loved being with my Humans for the whole weekend and going on walks in new places and seeing lots of new stuff! The only thing I didn't like was some of the restaurants were not dog friendly. They wouldn't even let me sleep under the table in their outdoor area. Other than that, everything else was great.

Below are some photos to show you some of the places I got to see for the first time. Click on the photos if you want to see them full size.

Here I am in Las Vegas!

BTW, this grass is fake (it tasted terrible) and that's my HD with me.

I'm in some place called Wikieup and what is that thing??

Ha! Ha! It has a funny looking dog on it.

Me and HD at the Lake Mead lookout on our way towards Hoover Dam.

Here I am at Hoover Dam. It's really big and kinda scary. That's why HM is holding on to me.

HM is trying to get me to look towards her hand but I chose to look at HD with the camera. Ha!

The Heavenly Bed in our hotel suite. I loved sleeping on it every night.

Our hotel suite had a couch I could lay on to play with my toys and chewy bones.

The floor in the kitchen was really nice for dogs like me. It was cool and easy to clean up.

Beasty Balls

You may have noticed the cool toy in my photo above. My human Mom is a huge fan of Etsy. She found this toy for me there. You can find all sorts of cool inexpensive dog things on Etsy. The place I got this toy, LuluCrateCouture, also makes cool crate beds and covers. I'm also getting a collar bandana from the same place. My bandana will of course have daisies on it!

Daisy Dog Blog under construction...

If you're visiting this... things might not be all that pretty at the moment. My human is trying to make my blog a little more special. Hang tight doggie friends. It's just a "Ruff" at the moment, but it will be looking like a real blog soon!