We had a story on the news not long ago about Portland's ranking as a dog friendly city. We were rated #1 by Dog Fancy magazine in 2006. Clearly, the people running the survey have never been to Newport Beach, California.

We were there over the 4th visiting some old friends. Lots of beautiful people live there with their beautiful dogs. We saw a Great Dane the size of a pony checking in with its owner at the hotel. Some smaller dogs were lounging with their people around the pool.

But I didn't really understand what dog friendly meant until we went to check out an upscale shopping mall across the street. We were doing a little fantasy shopping...looking not buying...and there among the designer clothes were equally designer dogs. Not for sale of course. They were shopping with their owners.

Some had matching outfits with painted toenails. Would I make that up? Lots of fluffy little friends wandering thru Neiman-Marcus on sparkly leashes and a few tucked sweetly in strollers. Special dog strollers. One was a double decker for a set of Pugs. I think I audibly squealed when I saw them. No hiding that I was NOT a local.

Plus, there were no less than 3 competing doggie boutiques in this one mall to supply all these things. Am I the only one who thought this was just a Hollywood star kind of thing?

Just for the record, I did not catch the fever. I still make my poor pooch WALK when we go outside and I'm hiding the Nordstrom sale catalogs from him. Just don't tell Dog Fancy magazine on me.

It's good to be home. And as always, thanks for watching.

Tracy