I got back to Bodega Bay. The first time I've been on the Sonoma Coast since my back surgery. I didn't get to jump or run fast. I sniffed a lot. The cool sea air and ocean. The seafood smells coming from The Tides Wharf and Bay View restaurants. I like the Tides Wharf boardwalk. It's a five-star dog sniffstination. And a big, safe space to walk around.

You know I love the beach. But did you know I love having my head scratched by the one and only Tippi Hedren?

Tippi Hedren was at Tides Wharf signing photos and talking to humans on July 4 and 5. She comes back often 'cuz this is the film location where Alfred Hitchock made the 1963 classic The Birds. Tippi Hedren is the movie's star. She's also Melanie Griffith's mother and a "den mother" to many animals.

I sat down on the rug next to Ms. Hedren at her Tides table. You can feel what a nice person she is. She and her assistant asked dog-ma about my surgery when they saw I'm missing fur on my back. My buddy Jack corgi squeezed in next to the table. Usually shy, he didn't want to leave Ms. Hedren's side once she started scratching his ears. He and I know this was the kind of scratching and stroking you get only from a real animal lover.

Years ago, Tippi Hedren started Shambala Preserve and Roar Foundation in southern California. Not to make pets out of lions, tigers, leopards, lynxes, cougars, and other exotic cats, but to protect them. To rescue them from mistreatment and neglect. Elephants too. Shambala is a true sanctuary, a place that doesn't breed, buy, sell, trade, or use animals commercially.

Ms. Hedren talks to the public about the problems of exotic pet ownership, and she advocates for legislation to protect big cats. She and dog-ma talked about the costs of caring for animals — a million dollars a year to take care of the Shambala cats! — and the impawtance of spaying and neutering pets. These humans worry about how all animals will fare in a tougher economy.

Anything having to do with animals is highly politicized, and I'm wading into deep water taking a pawsition. But I, Tilin corgi, support dog-ma in supporting other humans who want to limit private exotic animal ownership. Dog-ma has BIG reasons for supporting Ms. Hedren and others who help with exotic animal rescue and accredited sanctuaries. She barked, "Few individuals, no matter how well meaning or rich, succeed in providing a safe haven for wild or exotic animals. Individuals apparently have a hard enough time trying to take care of domestic animals, including farm animals. . . ." She went on like this half the way back from Bodega.

Are you a dog headed for wine country? Read on.

The real poop about dog-friendliness here: It's not easy in summer for a dog traveling in California wine country. Where you gonna hang out and stay cool? . . . You can't go in restaurants or farmer's markets, and relatively few wine tasting rooms. There are very few places that'll let you inside with your guardian/owner. Yet you could die from heat stroke waiting in the car.

I gotta pawse a second to 'splain about wine tasting rooms. If I were the manager or gift buyer, I wouldn't want rowdy dogs wagging merchandise off the shelves. And if I were a winery patron, I wouldn't want to run into big rowdy dogs in crowded tasting rooms.

So what's a friendly dog in wine country to do?

First, get to googly pawing. Find dog-friendly wine tasting rooms, not just dog-friendly wineries — there's a difference. Also look for wineries that have shady outdoor spots for us dogs. Don't forget to look for special dogstinations — you know, dog events like Bark in the Park, Graton Day festival Pet Parade, and Healdsburg Dog House Halloween parade. Always make sure you've got your dog bytes right though: Contact wineries, inns, and events to confirm their dog policies!

Second, make a plan for how you're going to stay cool. That means all day long in summer. Don't worry about evenings; it cools off before sunset. How about getting a professional dog walker, doggy daycare, or dog spa visit along your travel route? (Consider a single-run kennel 'cuz you might get overwhelmed by strangers.) Tell your people to see about advance reservations and other requirements!

Third, pack everything you need to stay cool: your water bowl, plenty of water, your leash and outdoor tie-down, cooling bandana neck-scarf, Body Cooler Pet Mats, Pet Wrap Vest, shade umbrella, and a stack of big towels. Towels soaked in cold water can help you and your people stay cool. Remember, too, to pack your food, treats, travel ID, toys, emergency contacts, vaccination records, and other regular stuff.

Fourth, get a good doggie seatbelt harness. I wear my Ruff Rider Roadie harness and wouldn't do car travel without it. Forget the dog crate! You'll suffocate inside that thing in the summertime here!

Fifth, tell your people to sit-stay flexible. Be prepared to change the itinerary on super-hot triple-digit days. We have only a few in a row, then it cools off again. On the hottest days, head for wineries and recreation spots in the cooler Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.

If you get desperately hot on the wine road: Ask your people to stop and buy bags of ice to arrange close to you — not directly on you!

Remember, even with ice and cooling mats, you cannot survive long alone in the car. If your people park in the sun instead of the shade, you're done for. Warning: You're taking a risk if you even try to stay in the car, so just don't let your people leave you there.

If you have an emergency of some kind: Your guardian/owner should speak up! Go talk to people at the winery or restaurant or wherever, and get them to let you go inside with them while they take care of the emergency!

You doggehs have more traveling suggestions?

When will I be able to run on the beach again? I'm gonna ask dog-ma if she'll carry me onto my favorite Sonoma Coast beach so I can put my paws in the water.

back in the day

we did the double dutch.

turn wit it, turn wit it . . .

jumped them ropes,

i was a double dutch dog.

turn wit it, turn wit it . . .

criss-cross now,

i'm running in my mind.

(Big ups always to Erykah "Back in the Day" Badu and Philly Frankie "Double Dutch" Smith)