Friends of mine in Los Angeles have a dog, Apoo, that was found dumped on a highway. This sweet-natured pooch has abandonment issues and can't be left home alone. So when we set out for a dog friendly trip, Carmel By-The-Sea was a natural choice.

The beach is leash free, there are "dog pounds" in restaurants, like the lovely Forge in the Forest where dogs get water, biscuits and meat dishes can be ordered off the "dog" menus.

When we walked the streets of Carmel with Apoo, people often stopped us and asked what kind of dog he was. He's a handsome, white and brown blend, but nowhere else have people thought he might be a rare breed. So we told them "A Hungarian Poodle" and they seemed satisfied.

This canine-fest was started by Doris Day at her establishment, The Cypress Inn. They plan dog birthday parties and other special events.

Here the patio garden has a dog wash so they can get the sand off from the beach. Dogs gather and dig in the mulch while their owners enjoy acoustic guitar.

One little lap dog had its own carriage--note, this is not just a baby carriage being used for a dog. I've seen that before; rather, this is actually a carriage made for lap dogs.

When landscaping your yard, check in with the ASPCAfor a list of pet friendly plants.