Viceroy Palm Springs: Dec 2012

Hotel Reviews: Being a California shiba is pawsome. The weather is perfect year round, many places are dog friendly and there is always something fun to do.  Like this past weekend, I spent the weekend at the lovely Viceroy Palm Springs, California relaxing with my people. The Vicerory Palm Springs is super dog friendly and is super posh for people too. The onsite restaurant Citron, even allows dogs to dine with their people on their outdoor patio. I've already written about the Viceroy Palm Springs on two previous trips which you can check out at the links below. 

Viceroy Palm Springs (December 2011) - Dorrington villa #103

Viceroy Palm Springs (June 2012) - Dorrington villa #504 

The resort has a variety of accomodations but the villas are the best places for people staying with dogs because they are free-standing one or two bedroom houses with enclosed private patios. Paws up!

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Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Okay, be serious.

Okay, smile!

Happy Thanksgiving! In between posing for pictures, I've been busy packing my suitcase for another trip to the east coast for a holiday adventure. Since 2009, I've flown on an airplane to the east coast to spend Thanksgiving celebrating with friends and family. Truth is, I have so much to be thankful for, but many pawsome dogs don't have their own families. If you want to help in some way, check out the links below to some great rescues and amazing shibas. I hope wherever you spend your Thanksgiving, it is wonderful -woof! 

 

NYC Shiba Rescue (New York)

Animal Guardian Network (Arizona)
Saving Shibas Inc (California)
Shiba Inu Rescue Association (Illinois)

Look at me. I made it to my Grandma's house on the east coast for Thanksgiving!

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Santa Monica

My 2012 "California (stay-cation) Adventure" kicked off in Northern California with a trip to San Francisco (click here for that part) and concluded in sunny Southern California with a fun visit to Santa Monica. Santa Monica is a vibrant beach city just miles outside of the hubbub of Los Angeles. It's a "don't miss" destination if you are in Southern California.  I wore my pink camo EzyDog harness while treking around to make sure I looked uber stylish, incase the puperazzi were out.

While the sandy beach area is not dog friendly in Santa Monica, don't be discouraged. There is still plenty to do and explore. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Santa Monica Pier and surrounding boardwalks. And the nice part is that you won't get scared or run over by bicycles while you're out exploring, because they have separate designated lanes for walking and biking. Pawsome! You'll also find ample grassy areas adjacent to the beach and plenty of pet friendly hotels, like Shutters on the Beach in the area. While I haven't stayed at Shutters for a personal review, be sure to let me know what you think if you have! You can get more information about pet friendly things to do in Santa Monica through this link.

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba



Hey, look over there! Isn't that Tokyo shiba walking by?



Hotel Bel-Air

Hotel Reviews: The Hotel Bel-Air is a luxury pet friendly hotel nestled within 12 acres of lush gardens, situated one mile west of Beverly Hills, California. The iconic hotel originally opened in 1946 as was considered one of Hollywood's infamous hideaways. The design of the hotel retains a mix of Spanish colonial with French deco influences. The hotel features 103 accommodations, including 58 guest rooms and 45 suites. We opted to stay in one of the new contemporary Premier Canyon View Guestrooms. Our room #266  was 540 square feet and had retractable glass walls which opened up to the outdoor patio area. The spacious private patio featured a gas fireplace and seating area, lounge chairs, dining table for four, and an infinity edge spa pool. Inside, the room was fully modernized with amenities and features, including an iPad for guest internet usage and also to request any hotel services, such as housekeeping and ordering room service. For super posh accommodations, the hotel offers a Presidential Suite that features 6,775 sq ft of indoor and outdoor living space.

Through the Precious Paws program, the hotel charges a one time $200 pet fee and allows dogs up to 35 lbs. When we entered our room, my pet amenities were aleady in place. I found a pet bed, food/water bowls, bottle of water, a Hotel Bel-Air monogrammed neck scarf, and homemade peanut butter biscuits. For dog friendly dining options on site, the hotel has a bar & lounge with four garden alcove seating areas where you could *ask* to have your dog join you. However, we decided to stick with room service during our stay as our patio area was well-suited for dog friendly dining.

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

San Francisco

Last week I kicked off my week long California adventure with both Northern and Southern California mini trips. For the first part of the trip, I flew on United Airlines up to San Francisco to spend Labor Day weekend visiting my Northern California friends and family. This was my first time flying on United and I'm pleased to report that their pet reservation system is really convenient and we didn't encounter any issues. My people were able to make my pet reservation online at the same time they booked their flights (unlike on US Airways.)  United charged $125 for a one-way in-cabin pet fee. When I got to the airport check-in counter, they printed and attached my paper reservation to the carrier and we were off. That's 19 flights for this jet-setting shiba -woof!

Once we arrived in San Francisco we checked into the dog-friendly Cavallo Point just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito. Be sure to check out my separate post with a review of my stay at Cavallo Point. 

It was a wonderful trip filled with many adventures, the best of which included meeting up with my shiba beau Zuko aka Demon Dog.  Zuko took me on pawsome hikes all around Lands End, the Sutro baths, Golden Gate Park, and the streets of San Francisco. There was lots of dirt, many steps and old stone things for us to jump on. We even got to encounter wildlife, like seeing ducks up really close. Zuko also took me to the uber cool George pet store at 2512 Sacramento Street (at Fillmore) and bought me a bag of cheesy hearts and a bouncy ball. High-paw!

I had a great time in San Francisco. There are plenty of dog-friendly places with patios to eat, like Nopalito, a sustainable organic mexican kitchen. It's a big city with much to explore. I'm sure I'll be back soon. Till then, I'll enjoy my cheesy hearts!

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Cavallo Point

Hotel Reviews: Cavallo Point "the lodge at the golden gate" is a great pet friendly place to stay in Northern California. Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, the hotel is part of Golden Gate National Parks and offers both historic and contemporary lodging accommodations. Formerly the site of the Fort Baker U.S. Army post, the historic accommodations were once officers' residences and have been fully restored with modern amenities. One of the best things about this lodge is its prime location for dogs. With plenty of grass and hiking trails from your front door, there are ample opportunities to relax just minutes away from the hubbub of the city.

We opted to stay in the historic queen suite #602, which is in an ideal location on the property- very close to the spa, main building, mercantile and restaurants.  Our "house" was divided into six accommodations with our unit being conveniently located on the first floor with a private entrance off of the partially enclosed porch. Our suite was 540 square feet and had one bedroom, bathroom and small living room area with a desk and gas fireplace. Through their Eco Luxe Pups program, the hotel charges a one time $75 pet fee for the length of your stay (and allows up to 2 dogs per room). Upon entering my room, my dog amenities were already in place - dog bed, water/food bowls, a frisbee, doggie towel, and a bag of special organic cookies.

For dog friendly dining onsite at Cavallo Point, dogs can join their people on the small casual porch area of Farley Bar and Murray Circle. We took advantage of the mid-day sunshine and headed over to the Farley Bar porch where I politely snuggled on a blanket on the couch while my people enjoyed lunch.

I spent plenty of time walking around the property and on the surrounding trails. It's a short walk from the lodge to the Golden Gate Bridge (note, dogs are currently not permitted to walk across the bridge.) I walked under the bridge and up to the top for a super pawsome view!

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Puppia Mesh Harness

Tokyo Reviews: This summer, I've been testing out my new Puppia harness around San Diego and out on my adventures. I got the soft harness in pink which features a very soft outer layer of air mesh fabric.  The fabric is 100% polyester and the instructions recommend hand washing; however, my harness has successfully gone through the washing machine a number of times without incident. The neck is nonadjustable and slips over your head. An adjustable chest belt clips around your chest for a customized fit. Your leash clips to a metal D ring on the spine of the harness. 

Sizing was a little tricky for me. My measurements put me in a size medium. However, when I tried on the medium it made my very thick double coat pouf out rather funny which made it *look* tight on me, so I sized up to large (which actually seems a bit big on me.)  The Puppia Soft Harness retails for approximately $20 and comes in a variety of colors so you can get one that looks pawsome with your fur.

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Shiba in San Diego




Living life as an urban dog in San Diego, California has lots of perks.  For instance in July, Comic-Con 2012 came and put up a pretty colorful mural for me to enjoy in my neighborhood. And with their arrival, all my local shops and restaurants were suddenly filled with thousands of superheroes and villans. Way cool.

 

Tokyo chills in the Oakley store. Gaslamp, San Diego, California

I often get asked if it is hard for me being a dog living in a high-rise condo in the city. I say not really. Sometimes the noises and the crowds can be a bit much for me down on the street, so my people are mindful of staying alert to my signals. I don't have my own big yard, like some of my dog friends, but there is plenty of grass in the city and I do have lots of events and happenings to check out.

Living in San Diego also means I get to join my people on many of their normal errands too, like shopping. Many stores, including  Westfield Horton Plaza, and restaurants in downtown San Diego are pet friendly, so please DO NOT leave your dog tethered and waiting on the street. Not cool. My people always ask to make sure, and then bring me in once they get the "okay." 

Westfield Horton Plaza allows leashed dogs in the common areas and even has its own dog park located on the mezzanine level. The dog park has a small fenced-in area where dogs can run, as well as water and bags for doggy waste disposal. Pretty darn cool.

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and  be sure to follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Riding In Style

Tokyo rides around Southern California in style

I absolutely LOVE car rides and I usually prefer having the passenger person hold me for the duration of the trip- whether I'm looking out the window or napping. As this isn't the most safe way to ride, my people picked up the Animals Matter Companion Car Seat for me to try. We were all skeptical at first, but on my first car ride I took to this car seat like a pro!

The Animals Matter Companion Car Seats are designed to be used with your auto's existing safety belt. A customized groove in the foam allows the seat belt to wrap completely around the front and sides of the car seat, securely holding it in place. (Note, you may need a seatbelt extender, especially for the 3X car seat size.)

An adjustable length strap/tether inside the car seat attaches to your dog's harness (not collar) to keep your dog safely secured in the car seat.   The strap allowed me enough room to stand up, sit, nap, and look out the window, but was not long enough for me to jump out of the seat. The Animals Matter Companion Car Seats come in four sizes and in three colors: camel, charcoal and pink. The seats are constructed of a dense upholstery-grade foam with an easily removable zippered cover for machine washing. 

I got the camel in the largest size, called the Companion 3X Car Seat, so I would have plenty of room to spreadout in any direction. The 3X measures 28" long x 20" wide x 16" high and states it is suitable for dogs up to 45 lbs.

If you are looking for a stylish dog car seat, I say check this one out -woof! The retail price for the 3X model I purchased is $239 and can be ordered from In the Company of Dogs.

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Viceroy Palm Springs: Revisited

Hotel Reviews: I spent another pawsome weekend at the gorgeous Viceroy Palm Springs, California with my people. The Viceroy is super pet friendly and the staff truly goes out of their way to make sure pets feel at home.  Be sure to ask at the front desk for their complimentary super stylish white/black Viceroy dog bowls.  

For this visit, we stayed in the charming one-bedroom house called the Dorrington Villa #504 which is one of the only villas on the property that has its own (full enclosed) private grassy yard. Most villas have private tiled patios. Dorrington Villa #504 is located on the Fountain Courtyard side of the resort and is in a very private location which is particulary ideal for dogs. Since I live in a high-rise condo, having my own little house with a yard is a fun change for me.

The resort has three swimming pools, where dogs can hang out with their people. And they have an amazing onsite restaurant called Citron - which also has its own doggy menu- and allows dogs to dine on their patio.

The Viceroy charges a one time pet fee of $100 for the length of your stay and allows dogs under 40 lbs.

The last time I visited the Viceroy Palm Springs was in December 2011, you can check out that review by clicking here.  Go ahead and plan your next trip, and tell 'em Miss Tokyo Shiba sent you -woof!

Don't forget, there are always more pictures of me Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr and follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Tokyo Turns Three

June 2, 2012. I'm 3 years old today and I've been busy having fun! Living life as a Southern California shiba is great and I'm always on some special adventure. To make my 3rd birthday extra pawsome,  my people took me on a big airplane to pre-celebrate my birthday with my east coast friends and family. Super cool! I got plenty of hugs, special treats, toys and the shiba royalty treatment everywhere I went. Speaking of shibas flying on airplanes, I've been on 18 plane flights. I fly in the cabin right at my people's feet so I feel safe and calm with them in my custom expandable Celltei dog carrier bag.   



While I was on the east coast, I got to play with my cool shiba friend Phineas. Phineas is the celebrity shiba from the short film, The Story of Huckleberry Phin. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here! We had the best playtime at his house. 

All in all, I had an amazing birthday and ate plenty of Sprinkles doggy cupcakes back at my home in San Diego. I was pretty tired after it was done. But don't worry, I'll be doing the Tokyo 500 any minute now -woof!

Tokyo takes a quick nap in Phin's favorite sleeping spot.

Don't forget there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr

Follow me on twitter @tokyoshiba

Tokyo Reviews: Kiehl's

Tokyo gets a bath

Bad news....today I got a bath and as many of you know, most shibas HATE water. Good news...luckily shibas very rarely need to be bathed because our fur is pawsome and stays clean and smelling fresh. But a couple times a year when I do need to get a bath, my people use Kiehl's "For Your Dog" products on me. The three-part product line includes: (1) Cuddly-Coat Grooming Shampoo ($17); (2) Cuddly-Coat Conditioning Rinse ($17); and (3) Spray-n-Play Cleansing Spritz($13). I use the shampoo and conditioner which are both mild and gentle on my coat and skin. The cleansing spray can be used between washings to keep your dog clean and deodorized.

Kiehl's "For Your Dog" products smell great with a subtle lavender scent and chamomile flower extract. The lavender scent is not overpowering (it just smells clean) which makes it pleasant for boy and girl dogs.

Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in New York's East Village neighborhood.  The products are sold in both Kiehl's retail stores and online at kiehls.com.

Don't forget there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr  

Follow me on Twitter @tokyoshiba

San Ysidro Ranch

Hotel Reviews: I spent last weekend in Santa Barbara, California in the Montecito foothills relaxing at San Ysidro Ranch. The Ranch has 41 accommodations and features a number of private free standing cottages, including the Kennedy cottage where John and Jackie Kennedy stayed in 1953 on their west coast honeymoon. Most importantly, San Ysidro Ranch prides itself on being very pet friendly since the 1930's. Their Privileged Pet Program features in room pet massage, a special dog room service menu and the staff goes out of their way to make sure guests traveling with pets feel right at home.

At check-in I even got to sign my name in the privileged pets guest registration book and they had dog cookies for me. Guests traveling with pets need to make a reservation for a free standing cottage.    Cottages are the Ranch's signature accommodations and offer a complete sense of seclusion. We stayed in "Creek" cottage which is a 1250 sq ft one bedroom cottage. The cottage had its own private deck with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Designated parking is conveniently adjacent to your cottage. A special touch was the adorable wood sign with my name, Tokyo, listed right on the outside of the cottage. Once we got to our cottage, they also delivered an amenity package with a dog bed, bowls, dog bags, cookies, and a cute yellow "Woodstock" toy (you know, Snoopy's cool bird friend).  San Ysidro Ranch charges a modest one time $100 pet cleaning fee for the duration of your stay (and yes, meowies are welcomed to stay too.)

So what did I do? Well, the beautifully landscaped Ranch has 17 miles on trails, so I did lots of important investigating and of course some very important cottage napping. I say paws up. I highly recommend staying here. -woof!

Don't forget there are always more pictures of me at Tokyo: My Shiba Inu Tumblr
Follow me on Twitter @tokyoshiba