I had another post-op check-up with my veterinary surgeon Russ Gurevitch, DVM (Veterinary Referral Surgical Services in Petaluma, California).

I'm so happy that Dr. Gurevitch says he sees progress. He was pleased at how I could run along pretty steadily as he watched me outside the clinic. Dr. G told my dog-ma that I'll get even better.

My back muscles and legs are definitely stronger. I can play with the ball and roll around in the dirt. But I tire quickly. Well, whaddya expect after a vertebral spine hemilaminectomy and multiple disc fenestration?

Dog-ma sez I look and act like my old self, except that I'm faking the finer points of back leg coordination. That's why I skid around corners and, though I hate to admit it, I kinda fall over easily. But I get back right up!

I probably have only one more follow-up visit with Dr. Gurevitch. I'll keep you posted.

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?

I don't drink wine, but my dog-ma teaches me wine lingo. Most people who live and visit here drink wine. When I say "here," I mean appellations and sub-appellations around Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley and Napa Valley, "that other valley."

Here are grown and crafted great reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Malbec, and of course Pinot Noir. And lots of others like Barbera and Mourvedre. . . . Then there are the great whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and of course Freestone Fogdog Chardonnay. And some other whites like Muscat and Rieslings.

I know more about wine and winemaking than most dogs. Not that I'm the Jancis Robinson of the dog world or anything, but I do do my homework, so to bark.

I drink a little beer. It helps me when I have muscle spasms. My dog-ma will search for a lovely pilsener like Blue Paddle, or a pale ale like Mendocino Brewing Company Blue Heron, or sometimes Rogue Brewery HazelNut Brown Ale. According to Rogue's Brewdog, their ales are made with "coastal free range water." Woof?

People in winemaking are often beer aficionados who know more about beer making than the average bear. Try asking 'em when they're not being bears, like when they're bored from working long harvest hours hand-sorting grapes or doing punch-downs.

Or go to the annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair and change the subject from wine to beer. You can change the subject to anything you want by the end of the winetasting day. You can even sneak in with me, a Welsh corgi, and your dog, I bet.