The Dog Lover's Companion to the Bay Area (Dog Lover's Companion Series)

Rating:
Summary: A fun read, a great resource!
Review: I bought this book before I even got my dog Sparkler. I wanted a dog really badly and a friend loaned me her copy of this book. I laughed all the way through at the wonderful humor and the author's dog's antics. His name is Joe and he is a very well traveled airdale terrier that has gotten into his share of mischief!

I didn't realize how many places you could take your dog in the bay area until I read this. Because of the book I decided to get myself a dog for sure. What fun to explore the area with a furry friend!

If it weren't for the author's wonderful sense of humor and wit, I probably would have still bought the book, but I wouldn't have enjoyed the read nearly so much. Four paws to this book. Its a definite must for anyone witha dog in the bay area.

Rating:
Summary: information is great; editorializing is obnoxious
Review: This book is an excellent resource, information-wise. (You could get all the same information from a AAA tourbook and a some other hiking guide, but it is nice to have it all gathered together in one place.) However, the style in which this book is written really detracts from its appeal. I can overlook the pun-laden, cheeseball attempts at humor, but the author's unsolicited editorializing really irks me. If this were a free resource, the author might be entitled to subject readers to her hyperliberal opinions, but we shouldn't have to pay for it. In particular, the derogatory comments about cows and horses used to make vaccines bothered me - yes it's unpleasant, but unless the author's wacky Joe the Dog has not been vaccinated and the author has never benefitted from biomedical research, perhaps she should tone down her hypocritical posturing. And ranting about dog parks that do not allow children is ridiculous. In my opinion, it's a little crazy to take your grabby toddler to a park where dozens of unpredictable dogs' teeth are at face-level to your precious pumpkin, and if a dog park does not want to allow it, that is totally reasonable and could simply be stated as a fact. The space in this book would be better used for, say, pictures and maps, rather than rants and "humorous" asides. If there were a different dog guide the bay area, I would get that one instead. But, this one has the market cornered, and it's definitely useful... albeit annoying to read.

Rating:
Summary: Good Source
Review: This is an excellent book for those dog lovers out there. I am new to the Bay area, and I had no idea where to take my two dogs. The author is right on target with his doggy rating system. Great reference book. I highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Execellent
Review: This is an excellent book for those dog lovers out there. I am new to the Bay area, and I had no idea where to take my two dogs. The author is right on target with his doggy rating system. Great reference book. I highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Good Source
Review: This was a good resource. I would also suggest checking out takeyourpet.com where you can find thousands of pet-friendly lodging listings and free guides on traveling with your pet.