Dogs in the City: Meet Marissa and Geronimo of San Francisco

Marissa is a photographer living in San Francisco with her adorable Australian shepherd pup, Geronimo. She shared her experiences of raising a chic pooch in a bustling city and the importance of a well-timed sing-along.

Dog mom's name: Marissa

Dog's name: Geronimo

Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, San Francisco

How did Geronimo get his name? Geronimo is named after the great Apache warrior and leader, whose name means ‘He who yawns,’ and he certainly lives up to the reputation. On the one hand, he has endless energy, running circles around you, nipping at your heels to keep you in line. And on the other, he yawns big and sleeps hard!

Where’s your favorite place to go with your dog? I love to take drives with Geronimo. He’s so great in the car, and it’s nice to have a little buddy when I’m up for an adventure.

If you could go anywhere with your dog, where would it be? I would love to take Geronimo to France! We would visit Paris and all the quaint towns in the surrounding region. I would photograph him in rustic doorways and sip coffee at charming cafes with him by my side.

What’s the best thing about being a pet parent? Unconditional love, morning kisses and sweet puppy eyes! He can always make me laugh by just being the silly pup that he is.

How do you make the most of your time with your pet? I sing a lot to Geronimo. I sing about what I’m doing or what he’s doing, and he gets excited and wags his tail a lot. We go everywhere together, so there is lots of time to make memorable moments. He is pretty dang adorable, so we make lots of new friends while we’re out too.

What’s the hardest thing about having a dog in the city? There’s too much concrete and not enough green space for him to run around and play. The dog parks also tend to be crowded, and sometimes they’re full of ill-behaved dogs and inconsiderate pet parents.

What’s the best thing about having a dog in the city? Lots of people to make friends and doggy play dates with!

What life lessons has your dog taught you? My pup is my baby. I’ve learned a lot about patience and to let things go − like my favorite pair of shoes.

What tip would you give to new dog parents living in the city? Make time to take your dog on walks in the morning and evening. Don’t get lazy after work and forget. He needs exercise just like you would if you were cooped up all day.

Describe the perfect day with your dog. A drive north to the redwoods for a walking adventure through the forest, then a stop for coffee and a bite to eat. We would continue north to find a low-key beach and have a picnic.

What could the city do to be more pet-friendly? The city could offer dog-training classes that, if taken, could certify your dog as well-behaved and trained. This would let landlords know your dog is well-behaved and trustworthy for their properties. There are a lot of places that just will not rent to you if you have a dog, even if he is the most well-behaved dog in the world.

Photo by: Margo Moritz

If Marissa and Geronimo inspired you to explore your city, check out our list of dog-friendly date spots. For more on urban pups and their parents, check out Ellen and Scout's story.