Editorial: And they call it puppy love Editorial: And they call it puppy love

“I’ll lay right down in my favorite place, because now I wanna be your dog”

- Iggy and the Stooges

Iggy Pop would be wise to become that dog in Sonoma.

That’s according to a new study that ranks the North Bay among the most dog-friendly areas of the “puppy lovingest” state in the nation.

Yes, tales are wagging at break-neck speed in California, according to the “Milk Bone Doggy Love Index,” which surveyed 3,000 Americans to determine how much affection is shown to their hairy, drooling companions (let me qualify: they mean dogs, not husbands).

Researchers asked “dog parents” about how much they kiss their dogs and about “regular cuddle time.” California led the pack, as it were, thanks to our fondness for sleeping with, buying gifts for, and whispering sweet nothings to Bowser on a monthly basis. (Those dog haters in Nebraska finished last.)

The release of the doggie data was timed for Valentine’s Day and, while its encouraging (or, “totally pawesome!” according to the Love Index) that so many people are kind to their dogs, some of the results were concerning.

Take this stat for example: 39 percent of women said they’d rather spend Valentine’s Day with their dog than their husband or boyfriend. That’s four out of 10 women who’d rather date a dog than a dude – c’mon fellas, step it up. We’re being pushed aside by a species that contracts mange.

What’s worse is that this news comes on the “heels” of a new state law that allows dogs in restaurants’ outside dining areas – which means the only thing that may have been preventing your girlfriend from taking Mr. Woofers to the Red Grape on Valentine’s Day, instead of YOU, has just been legislated away.

Still, our “loving behaviors” toward dogs is ultimately a positive thing, and we’re lucky in the Sonoma Valley to live in such a Fido-friendly environment.

For instance, dogs are allowed on-leash at all Sonoma County Regional Parks and, closer to home, Maxwell Farms, Morton’s Warm Springs and the Sonoma Valley Regional Park. And there are dog parks for running off-leash at SVRP, Ernie Smith Park and the Sonoma Dog Park.

Plus, we have the invaluable Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter on 8th Street East, which offers some of the best shelter and adoption programs in the Bay Area. (They’ve got an important cat-adoption event, the Call of the Wild CFA Allbreed Cat Show, coming up on Feb. 14 and 15 for those interested in boosting our “kitty lovingest” ranking.)

A simple glimpse at the number of people walking dogs on any given day throughout Sonoma – even in the dead of winter – is testament to our rightful place on the Doggy Love Index. The late Charles Schulz famously observed, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” We must live in the happiest place on earth.