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It’s time that we introduce you to our site’s official mascot, a three-year-old dachshund named Moose.  Like us, he’s traveled the country and has visited many top cities.  He’s been welcomed in some of them with a hearty belly rub and a tasty treat, while in others, he’s pretty much been shown the doggy door.  So we asked Moose to compile a list of 4 cities where he’s experienced the utmost celebrity treatment and he personally paw-picked the following (in no particular order).

1.  Chicago, IL:

It’s no surprise that Chicago made DogFriendly.com’s list of top dog-friendly destinations in 2011.  We found several Windy City hotels that pride themselves on being accommodating to furry companions.  Kimpton properties always shine with this amenity and their Allegro Hotel is no exception. They don’t discriminate by size or weight and they also don’t charge extra fees for the service!  Moose’s favorite activities in the city include walking around Millennium Park and taking Mercury Chicago’s Canine Cruise.  Plus, many restaurants allow dogs to dine on outdoor patios.  Be sure to call ahead of time since access may be limited on busy nights. Even the suburb of Naperville is a standout with shops leaving water bowls outside on warm days.

2. Portland, ME:

Portland is a hip and intimate city on the southern coast of Maine.  Flying relatively under the radar, it’s been stacking up awards lately from the likes of Forbes.com, US News & World Report, and Men’s Health Magazine.  But its accolades aren’t just for humankind. Many of the stores in the downtown shopping district known as Old Port welcome leashed dogs and have treats at the ready. Off-leash dog parks abound and beaches allow dogs in the off-season. Our favorite hotel choice is the Inn By The Sea. This four-star hotel (with a price tag to match) allows dogs to dine with you in the bar area and the gourmet doggy menu pleases even the pickiest eater. The hotel sits on a gorgeous beach where pets are welcome in the off-season.

3. Asheville, NC:

Located in the heart of Blue Ridge country, the artsy city of Asheville is positioning itself as a top dog-friendly destination.  The Convention & Visitors Bureau takes pride in this fact and has a section of their site dedicated to info about travelling with your pet through the area.  The site offers a complete list of pet-friendly hotels, but if you want to know our favorite, it’s The Residences at Biltmore.  The accommodations are more akin to a home than a hotel.  This region is jam-packed with outdoor areas to wear you and your companion out.  Our top picks include strolling the vast grounds of Biltmore Estate, hiking the terrain at Chimney Rock State Park,  and window shopping in the Downtown District.

4.  Charleston, SC:

Charleston is the epitome of southern hospitality, which extends to four-legged friends as well. We found numerous restaurants that allow well-behaved dogs to dine with you outside, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  There’s also no shortage of welcoming hotels. We got a great deal at the trendy aLoft Hotel, but there are plenty of accommodations more centrally located that receive outstanding reviews.  Don’t miss touring Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. The nature trails and wildlife are so immense that you could easily spend a whole day there. Folly Beach is a nice evening cool-down spot and the James Island Dog Park wins our “Best Dog Park” award, paws down.  Not only are the grounds well-kept, but dogs love to frolic in the adjacent lake.

Of course, there are cities across the country that are rolling out the red carpet to our furry family members. We’ve named just a few that we consider to be standouts.  Tell us – what city do you love to visit with your best friend?