We were desperate for a Valentines getaway but February 14 is also Tanner’s birthday, and we didn’t want to leave him behind. Nobody actually knows when he was born, a fact that drives my astrology-minded wife crazy, so we decided to celebrate our Pit Bull baby on Valentines Day, the same as his pop. We discussed Palm Springs and San Diego but finally opted for Santa Barbara. Finding a place that accepts dogs isn’t easy. Most hotels and motels don’t and many of the ones that do charge a hefty fee. Why? For the same reason Tanner chews his tail, because they can.
Solvang’s a quaint (cheesy?) Danish village that’s also super dog friendly. Once a year, in late February, they host a Greyhound Fest in which town opens its doors to a swarm of sweet, speedy rescue dogs. We spent the afternoon shopping (the pet store and the Sock Guy got the bulk of our coin), then we took the birthday boy out to diner at Root 246, one of our favorites. The three of us ate outdoors, on the patio by the fire pit. Then we made the harrowing drive back.
a tradition from our New York City period when we owned a wonderful Irish Setter and the Dalmation from Hell. Ironically, both breeds were represented in this year’s Best In Show round. Tanner’s an American Staffordshire Terrier so we were hoping the AmStaff might win the Terrier Group but no dice. Maybe next year. Tanner was torn. The finalists included a German Shepherd, like Tanner’s girlfriend Lola, and a sexy Doberman named Fifi. Eugenie and weren’t; we were rooting for the Irish Setter ‘momma’ that had recently given birth to 15 puppies.
Louis Spirito 