Nellie Monster: A Four Year Retrospective

Enjoy!

Pet-Friendly Music Video for Those Dog Days of Summer!

I’ve already blogged about the awesome dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara, California. But sometimes you just have to see it to believe it.

And yes – I’m a huge Weezer fan. This one in particular is like my “power song” – it’s going through my head as I’m fetching that ball that’s just out of reach over the next wave!

Enjoy! And leave me a comment and let me know how you’ve been spending your summer!

Happy Birthday to the Nellie Monster!

Yay – I am turning 2 years old today!  For the special occasion, Emilia is making me wear a hat (not the first time I’ve had to don headgear to show my holiday spirit). Hopefully, there will be more fun to come… maybe a trip to the dog beach, some dog-friendly dining afterwards, fireworks, belly rubs….

Nellie Monster's 2nd Birthday!

Life is Good for this Dog: Let’s Hit the Beach!

Who could ask for anything more?

4 Million Unadopted Animals are Killed in Shelters Every Year

According to PETA, U.S. animal shelters must put to death nearly 4 million dogs and cats every year because of simple math: too many animals and not enough worthy adoptive homes.

This new pet-friendly video shows a family that learns the hard way that buying an animal from a breeder can add up to killing a homeless animal in an animal shelter.

I know people have different opinions about PETA… and I may be just a dog, but I do know that I was lucky enough to be rescued by Pet Orphans of Southern California and then adopted into a loving family – and I just wish the same for all homeless animals!

Check Out this Video – Dog Defeats Cat at Wii Tennis Battle Royale!

I love this video! Just because I’m a dog, doesn’t mean I can’t get all excited about revolutionary interactive gaming!

Go Wii Dog! Go Wii Dog! Go!

That’s my boy!

Being a Dog is Harder than it Looks – Humans Can Be So Demanding!

Ahhh...nothing like catching some zzz-zzz's after entertaining my humans all weekend

It’s not easy being a dog. We recently went on a weekend getaway trip to Lake Arrowhead and I had to be “ON” all weekend – exploring the new surroundings, making sure everyone got equal attention from me, and standing on guard all night to make sure my humans were safe in such a different and strange environment.

Sure beats the typical doggie exercise routine! But I’m sure my cousin Lady woud agree – traveling with humans can be so demanding! I’m exhausted – ’nuff said!

Weekend Getaway to Lake Arrowhead – This Dog is Determined to See Some Snow!

Fresh air, beautiful scenary and plenty to explore in Lake Arrowhead

Ever since my cousin Lady started bragging about her heavenly dog-friendly trip to Lake Tahoe, I’ve been dreaming about one day seeing some of that SNOW she’d told me all about!

So I was so excited when my humans told me we were going to take Lake Arrowhead, where there would be SNOW!

After our 4-hour drive (thank goodness we stopped in Claremont for a poop-break pit stop!) and a crazy ascent up a winding dizzying road, I caught my first glimpse of it!

But when we finally got to our destination, it was all sunshile and blue skies… and no snow. Some of the humans we were staying with had gone SNOWboarding at Big Bear mountain near by – which I assume involves SNOW… so what gives?

Sunshine and blue skies at Lake Arrowhead - but no SNOW!

Dog Friendly Ski Resort is Truly Heavenly – Lady Brags about her Visit to the Deerfield Lodge in Lake Tahoe

Deerfield Lodge: Lady with her Humans at dog-friendly Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

My cousin Lady (the yellow lab above) just sent me pictures from her vacay in Lake Tahoe! She stayed at the Deerfield Lodge at Heavenly – where she saw snow! OH – I know I’m just a dog and I’ve gone to some cool dog-friendly places – but I’ve never seen snow… and it sounds amazing!

Anyway, Lady had a great time. When her humans were skiing, she was allowed full-roam of the hotel room – though she spent most of her time relaxing on a comfy blanket-covered leather couch! And a nice girl would come and take her for a walk while everyone was at the slopes! Lady says she didn’t mind being left alone during the day because she knew the dog walker would visit and even call her humans on their cell phone thingies if anything super important came up.

There were also the doggie amenities! Dog treats upon check in along with a coupon to the onsite doggie boutique store! Convenient doggie poop stations! Lady also got to hang out in the lobby during happy hour – which featured wine and snacks for the humans every afternoon!

All the rooms on the ground level floor were dog friendly – which was great because Lady said her bedroom door led right into the open courtyard! Many dogs were allowed to run around offleash, but I’m sure Lady stayed onleash – she’s notorious for giving chase to anything that moves!

Dog friendly hotel: Lady lounges slopeside at pet-friendly lodge in Lake Tahoe

My Dog Friendly Hike in Douglas Preserve – Off Leash Trails and Happy Tails!

View From the Top of Dog-Friendly Douglas Preserve

Being a dog in the great outdoors is great. And being an off-leash dog in the great outdoors is even better!

That’s why I love going dog friendly hikes on the Wilcox Trail, which leads up to the Douglas Preserve. This wide open 70-acre park hugs the cliffs above the dog friendly beach at Hendry’s and has spectacular panoramic views. Not to mention, dogs can roam around the trails off leash! Did I mention how much I love being off leash?

There’s tons of interesting wilderness to sniff and explore. And when you get to the top of the coastal bluffs, there’s a doggie water fountain ready to quench your thirst! The walks loops around for about 1 mile and you can enjoy dramatic views from many points along the hike!

Enjoying an Off Leash Hike with My New Friend!

Directions: From U.S. 101 in Santa Barbara, exit on Las Positas Road and follow it 1.5 miles south (toward the ocean) to its terminus at Cliff Drive. Turn right and turn into parking lot of adjacent Arroyo Burro Beach County Park.

You can also follow Cliff Drive east (down-coast) to Mesa Lane and turn right. Just before the lane reaches its end at the Mesa Lane coastal access way, turn right onto Borton. Turn left onto Linda. Street parking is available.

Douglas Preserve: The Great Outdoors is Dog Friendly Again!

Neliie Monster says Take a Hike!