It’s usually the same old story… my four-legged counterparts go inside while I wait outside in the cold tied to a bike rack, fire hydrant, or worse, a garbage can.  There’s nothing worse than waiting, not knowing when I’ll see a familiar face again, with the terrifying sounds of cars, bicycles and strangers whizzing by.

So you can imagine my anxiety when I was awaken from my Saturday nap and quickly transported over the Bay Bridge (past that pesky S-Curve) to San Francisco.  Our destination, Union Square, for some serious day after Black Friday shopping.

The city was hectic, streets lined with shoppers, travelers, vendors galore.  Not many places I could walk without being accidentally stepped on because of my diminutive size.

I was able to make it a couple blocks until I arrived at the front of Macy’s department store.  SF/SPCA volunteers were in front selling $5 chocolate tins  to raise money for the organization.  Macy’s also donated prime window real estate for the SPCA to decorate and show off animals for adoption.  “So”, my dad proclaimed, “does Macy’s actually allow dogs inside the store?”  The volunteer replied, “I think so, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a dog in there before.”

Riding up the elevators... well more like being carried up

A large group of people crowded the entrance, awaiting their turn to take the elevators up to the Cheesecake Factory.   I, instead, scampered quickly through the doors, past the doorwoman without notice.  No words of  “hey you with the dog” or ” sorry no dogs allowed inside” were uttered, so first step accomplished.  It still didn’t help my uneasiness, since sneaking in wouldn’t help with all the suits with Macy’s badges walking around.  But this was at least better than many other failed attempts to sneak me into other places (i.e. Costco).

After heading up six or seven escalators, I arrived in the furniture department.  Luckily, the floors were mostly made of tiles and hardwood, but the occasional carpet or decorative chair lined the showroom.  I walked on-leash around all the furniture pieces which included sectional couches, beds, chairs and sofas.

A salesman saw me  sniffing various furniture exhibits and mannequinns wearing red sweaters and Santa hats, and stopped to observe with a puzzled brow,  “Can I help you with anything?”  “Yes, we’re here to look at couches,” my dad responded.  “Sure thing, right this way,” he said. » Read more: Exploring the City!