2021's Best Cities for Dog Lovers

Closeup of African American woman holding black dog

Our dogs love us unconditionally, but how well do our local communities reciprocate that warmth and devotion to our BFFs (Best Furry Friends)?

LawnStarter ranked the 200 biggest U.S. cities to sniff out 2021’s Best Cities for Dog Lovers. We measured the puppy love in each city based on 22 key factors — from access to dog walkers, groomers, and trainers to the share of canine-friendly rental properties to the favorability of dog laws.

Check out the leaders of the pack (and the runts of the litter) in our ranking below, followed by some highlights and lowlights.

This coming International Dog Day, Aug. 26, give your pup a special T-R-E-A-T to show how much their companionship means to you.

City Rankings
Highlights and Lowlights
Ask the Experts
Surprising Findings
Methodology

City Rankings

See how each city fared in our ranking:

OVERALL RANK	City	Overall Score	Housing Rank	Community Rank	Care Rank	Services Rank	Businesses Rank
1	Hollywood, FL	47.6	191	12	1	4	71
2	Fort Lauderdale, FL	47.33	185	7	9	2	6
3	Orlando, FL	45.65	78	125	68	1	2
4	Pasadena, CA	43.21	138	2	5	36	80
5	Alexandria, VA	41.23	150	1	19	20	24
6	Torrance, CA	41.1	179	3	2	65	122
7	Orange, CA	41.08	136	40	3	21	109
8	Tempe, AZ	40.65	101	18	17	11	47
9	Fullerton, CA	40.35	133	20	4	44	117
10	Savannah, GA	38.98	54	81	32	38	1
11	Baton Rouge, LA	38.07	3	142	76	7	35
11	Fort Collins, CO	38.07	36	78	31	13	22
13	Huntington Beach, CA	38.04	130	11	14	27	106
14	Lakewood, CO	37.81	56	56	11	22	110
15	Garden Grove, CA	37.52	155	19	6	48	192
16	Springfield, MO	37.29	26	169	41	3	10
17	Murfreesboro, TN	37.08	1	180	29	19	31
18	Bellevue, WA	36.89	14	58	10	88	45
19	Clarksville, TN	36.59	5	138	72	9	55
20	Richmond, VA	36.41	44	32	74	18	20
21	Miami, FL	36.06	186	42	40	5	49
22	Escondido, CA	34.93	51	50	23	41	158
23	Corona, CA	34.17	59	105	27	17	156
24	Cary, NC	34.15	12	73	21	106	30
25	Naperville, IL	33.87	15	77	18	110	40
26	Eugene, OR	33.55	121	102	13	26	53
27	Salem, OR	33.13	84	69	24	57	90
28	Pomona, CA	33.05	144	26	26	58	170
29	Knoxville, TN	33.02	18	149	149	8	3
30	Spokane, WA	32.94	92	63	66	23	21
31	Salt Lake City, UT	32.91	52	44	75	45	25
32	Syracuse, NY	32.78	120	13	69	61	101
33	Oceanside, CA	32.55	109	33	61	40	111
34	Tampa, FL	32.54	88	86	97	14	19
35	Dayton, OH	32.53	93	82	62	15	124
36	Tallahassee, FL	32.42	53	188	52	10	13
37	Chattanooga, TN	32.39	6	130	101	53	8
37	Vancouver, WA	32.39	116	110	56	12	73
39	Tacoma, WA	32.35	82	59	46	32	137
40	Scottsdale, AZ	32.32	23	71	86	69	5
40	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	32.32	108	35	22	89	126
42	Rochester, NY	31.95	107	10	141	52	102
43	Peoria, AZ	31.94	24	120	36	33	147
44	Tucson, AZ	31.86	50	62	115	31	15
45	Las Vegas, NV	31.1	117	106	166	6	61
46	Olathe, KS	30.98	9	134	33	114	120
47	Thornton, CO	30.89	55	178	16	25	125
48	Gilbert, AZ	30.52	32	92	38	84	151
49	Glendale, CA	30.4	162	17	45	93	171
50	Providence, RI	30.29	165	4	130	80	85
51	Irvine, CA	30.15	131	59	20	101	133
52	Reno, NV	30.07	43	99	42	82	103
53	Sunnyvale, CA	30.04	169	34	25	135	75
54	Glendale, AZ	29.97	87	100	48	47	130
55	Greensboro, NC	29.61	11	182	109	16	56
56	Metairie, LA	29.55	182	76	8	129	100
57	Pembroke Pines, FL	29.41	151	147	7	67	174
58	Ontario, CA	29.38	129	87	34	70	135
59	Santa Rosa, CA	29.21	134	52	30	117	116
60	Modesto, CA	29.09	157	57	67	42	143
61	Pasadena, TX	29.07	96	162	35	34	169
62	Atlanta, GA	28.69	63	135	124	46	4
63	Kansas City, KS	28.57	42	111	59	90	95
64	Arlington, VA	28.5	180	5	96	142	52
65	Palmdale, CA	28.48	114	153	37	28	165
66	Lubbock, TX	28.28	58	126	92	51	28
67	Chandler, AZ	28.25	45	114	70	71	132
68	Frisco, TX	28.21	16	186	49	50	105
69	Cincinnati, OH	28.08	99	75	127	56	37
70	Lancaster, CA	28.07	102	140	54	29	177
71	Hayward, CA	28.04	177	38	28	137	184
72	Miramar, FL	27.95	170	116	12	97	189
73	Lexington, KY	27.93	65	45	80	163	38
74	Buffalo, NY	27.85	141	21	102	102	134
75	Fremont, CA	27.83	153	8	65	189	149
76	Pittsburgh, PA	27.82	176	25	100	87	33
77	Elk Grove, CA	27.75	85	66	53	124	176
77	Overland Park, KS	27.75	7	189	58	120	29
79	Macon, GA	27.71	2	192	136	73	34
80	McKinney, TX	27.59	40	155	55	79	92
81	Colorado Springs, CO	27.57	61	151	113	24	59
82	Birmingham, AL	27.55	62	183	81	39	16
83	Yonkers, NY	27.41	192	30	83	43	185
84	Portland, OR	27.25	154	27	132	123	9
85	Mobile, AL	27.2	4	184	145	72	50
86	Mesquite, TX	27.17	112	113	43	94	153
87	Mesa, AZ	26.92	106	37	146	92	140
88	Grand Rapids, MI	26.74	47	109	114	91	74
89	Newport News, VA	26.68	73	146	39	113	104
90	Paterson, NJ	26.58	173	28	128	59	198
91	Rockford, IL	26.56	137	124	63	66	63
92	Norfolk, VA	26.42	115	72	117	68	129
93	Fayetteville, NC	26.32	38	171	118	30	91
94	Nashville, TN	26.18	31	23	183	180	41
95	Oakland, CA	26.15	181	6	87	181	154
96	Amarillo, TX	26.13	80	167	123	35	27
97	Riverside, CA	26.12	70	88	138	63	179
98	Plano, TX	26.04	33	136	79	116	77
99	Tulsa, OK	26.02	22	89	157	107	79
100	St. Petersburg, FL	25.95	143	74	57	144	81
101	Boise, ID	25.92	49	148	85	96	42
102	Huntsville, AL	25.9	13	190	89	78	44
103	Jersey City, NJ	25.83	198	15	82	85	172
104	Denver, CO	25.82	119	67	126	112	48
105	Killeen, TX	25.8	90	175	60	55	119
106	Santa Ana, CA	25.62	166	41	71	122	181
107	Hialeah, FL	25.57	195	97	15	100	194
108	Sacramento, CA	25.52	123	84	122	75	87
109	Austin, TX	25.5	17	93	164	165	14
110	Newark, NJ	25.48	149	46	163	54	196
111	Durham, NC	25.41	20	98	140	150	64
112	Minneapolis, MN	25.39	140	24	153	147	70
113	Midland, TX	25.33	68	161	51	133	62
114	Jackson, MS	25.26	8	194	78	98	86
115	Shreveport, LA	25.18	27	133	111	121	82
116	Garland, TX	25.17	124	115	106	62	138
117	Madison, WI	25.07	94	137	77	150	11
118	Oxnard, CA	25.04	156	43	99	146	164
119	San Bernardino, CA	25.02	126	36	135	139	173
120	Albuquerque, NM	24.89	21	127	150	118	46
120	Joliet, IL	24.89	103	108	50	169	142
122	Omaha, NE	24.86	69	54	167	139	84
123	Bridgeport, CT	24.77	175	83	91	64	188
124	Moreno Valley, CA	24.76	98	117	129	60	191
125	Salinas, CA	24.67	174	64	47	160	190
126	McAllen, TX	24.62	142	95	44	182	68
127	St. Louis, MO	24.6	132	29	147	191	17
128	Seattle, WA	24.54	161	16	143	185	60
129	Long Beach, CA	24.46	183	47	104	99	123
130	Akron, OH	24.42	128	122	148	49	157
131	Worcester, MA	24.34	139	53	155	95	168
132	Winston-Salem, NC	24.33	10	150	120	175	39
133	Aurora, CO	24.26	60	129	131	86	161
134	Little Rock, AR	24.1	79	163	142	111	7
135	Lincoln, NE	24.03	110	123	108	130	26
136	Santa Clarita, CA	23.97	104	80	73	178	166
137	Grand Prairie, TX	23.87	71	168	88	74	167
138	Aurora, IL	23.86	74	104	94	149	183
139	Augusta, GA	23.85	46	143	121	128	51
140	Sioux Falls, SD	23.72	66	178	84	132	18
141	Springfield, MA	23.7	164	48	152	109	182
142	Louisville, KY	23.54	91	49	174	168	69
143	Henderson, NV	23.47	83	165	110	76	152
144	Columbus, GA	23.23	25	195	98	77	83
145	Cape Coral, FL	23.19	148	197	64	37	114
146	Irving, TX	23.04	96	158	107	115	65
147	Chesapeake, VA	22.97	37	159	125	148	67
148	Raleigh, NC	22.83	28	145	159	153	43
149	Boston, MA	22.69	184	14	165	187	89
149	Toledo, OH	22.69	111	94	134	138	186
151	Corpus Christi, TX	22.62	113	157	151	83	57
151	Virginia Beach, VA	22.62	77	139	158	108	78
153	Chula Vista, CA	22.52	118	103	119	141	180
154	Fresno, CA	22.21	145	65	168	131	150
155	Bakersfield, CA	22.15	159	121	156	81	99
156	New Orleans, LA	22.1	188	91	93	162	23
157	Baltimore, MD	21.95	127	70	162	164	128
158	Charlotte, NC	21.93	41	131	176	158	58
159	Paradise, NV	21.66	48	107	133	193	12
160	Kansas City, MO	21.53	39	156	170	154	66
161	North Las Vegas, NV	21.33	99	152	112	127	195
162	Anaheim, CA	21.26	160	96	169	119	98
162	Indianapolis, IN	21.26	35	166	190	125	32
164	Des Moines, IA	21.23	105	154	95	166	113
165	San Diego, CA	20.92	146	61	186	176	54
166	Phoenix, AZ	20.91	81	85	188	170	146
167	Fontana, CA	20.6	152	118	116	156	197
168	Arlington, TX	20.59	89	164	173	103	121
169	Stockton, CA	20.45	163	101	105	173	175
170	San Francisco, CA	20.43	189	9	195	197	115
171	San Antonio, TX	20.39	19	173	189	143	107
172	Wichita, KS	20.25	76	177	160	126	94
173	Washington, DC	20.22	193	51	161	177	36
174	Cleveland, OH	20.06	178	55	184	159	148
175	Montgomery, AL	20.05	30	191	137	167	88
176	Oklahoma City, OK	19.99	67	172	175	136	72
177	Fort Wayne, IN	19.65	34	193	179	105	93
178	Jacksonville, FL	19.44	75	187	182	104	127
179	St. Paul, MN	19.21	158	79	138	194	162
180	Houston, TX	19.11	95	141	198	145	96
181	Philadelphia, PA	18.86	196	31	181	184	159
182	Milwaukee, WI	18.77	168	112	180	157	141
183	El Paso, TX	18.69	125	174	154	134	136
184	Memphis, TN	18.67	57	160	196	172	97
185	Dallas, TX	18.47	86	144	177	186	108
186	Fort Worth, TX	18.45	72	176	187	161	112
187	Anchorage, AK	18.39	64	198	90	171	145
188	Chicago, IL	18.25	190	39	191	192	139
189	Columbus, OH	18.05	135	132	185	174	118
190	San Jose, CA	17.29	167	90	171	195	144
191	Honolulu, HI	16.89	194	128	144	179	76
192	Los Angeles, CA	16.83	171	68	193	196	177
193	Laredo, TX	16.44	172	170	172	155	160
194	Brownsville, TX	16.31	147	185	178	152	163
195	Enterprise, NV	15.98	29	181	192	190	131
196	Port St. Lucie, FL	15.71	122	196	103	188	155
197	Detroit, MI	14.94	187	119	194	183	193
198	New York, NY	14.91	197	22	197	198	187

infographic showing best cities for dog lover

Highlights and Lowlights

Hollywoo(f), Florida: The Alpha

Every dog has its day, and for Hollywood, Florida, that’s today: The Diamond of the Gold Coast earns a gold star as 2021’s Best City for Dog Lovers. This Miami suburb gives a tail-wagging performance in three categories: Care (No. 1), Services (No. 4), and Community (No. 12).

No dog? Hollywood boasts the most shelters per 100,000 residents. Constantly sick pup? This city also prioritizes hound health, taking third place in vets and animal hospitals and seventh for emergency care.

Where the city needs training: Dog-Friendly Housing (No. 191) and Businesses (No. 71). Hollywood beats out only three other cities when it comes to canine-friendly rental properties.

But Hollywood is not the only Sunshine State city that’s best in show. Neighboring Fort Lauderdale takes spot No. 2, while Orlando is the third most ideal city for fetching with Fido.

California: The Golden (Retriever) State

Florida’s biggest cities might lead the pack, but California gives the Sunshine State a run for its money in this race. The Golden State claims more winning spots in the top 10 and 20 than any other state.

At No. 4 overall, Pasadena trails Florida’s three top dogs, while Torrance and Orange trot along at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively. Fullerton, at No. 9, rounds out the California cities in the top 10.

The race slows down with Huntington Beach at No. 13, while Garden Grove finishes at an honorable 15th place. These rankings come at no surprise, considering The Golden State also dominated our ranking of the Best Dog Park Cities.

If you’re looking to date someone who must love dogs, California will make your dog lover dreams come true.

New York City: Runt of the Litter

At No. 198 overall, New York City is the weakest of the pack in our ranking and one of the weakest when zooming in on individual categories and metrics.

The Big Apple ranks at the very bottom of Services and second to last in both Housing and Care. There’s no room for Spot to run around when you’re home — New York has the smallest average home square footage. And don’t count on restaurants and shops welcoming your pup — New York lands at a cold 187th place in Businesses.

Where the Big Apple (bow)wowed us: The city boasts a loyal dog community (No. 22) and the most dog-friendly laws in the nation. At No. 10, it’s one of the most walkable cities, too. Heel, Spot, heel.

Surprising Findings

Texas on a Tight Leash

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and that’s certainly the pattern in Texas. In an earlier LawnStarter ranking of the Best Dog Park Cities, The Lone Star State stood out for all the wrong reasons: Five of its biggest cities landed in the bottom 10, with Laredo coming in last place.

We hoped that was an isolated result, but our Dog Lovers ranking proved otherwise. Sixteen of the 23 Texas cities in our ranking finish in the bottom half, including the biggest: Austin at No. 109 and Houston in 180th place.

Sisters Dallas and Fort Worth are also siblings in our ranking at Nos. 185 and 186, respectively. Laredo and Brownsville land in the bottom 10. Most up to snuff is Pasadena at No. 61.

It’s clearly the state — not the dogs — that need training. Get your act together, Texas!

Tennessee Pride of Dogs

Tennessee is a rare breed when it comes to pup-friendly homes. Three Volunteer State cities claim the top 10 in the Housing category, with Murfreesboro in first place. Clarksville takes fifth, and Chattanooga lands at No. 6.

Murfreesboro offers more pooch-welcome rental housing than another city in our ranking, as well as plenty of green space for Spot to rove about: It’s No. 7 for average yard square footage. Clarksville and Chattanooga also excelled in this metric, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. Other Tennessee cities weren’t far behind. Knoxville takes 13th place and Nashville 24th.

Whether you’re giving your dog a home for the first time or rehoming them, Tennessee’s doors will be open.

Ask The Experts

It’s not exactly raining cats and dogs in America right now. Demand for “pandemic pups” continues to outpace supply as the Delta variant pawses daily life once again.

For insight into the future and helpful care tips, we asked the dog whisperers to weigh in.

The shortage of “pandemic puppies” in the U.S. continues. When can Americans expect the dog supply to return to normal?
With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading, how can dog owners who rely on professional dog walkers and sitters keep themselves and their pups safe?
What are your top three tips for helping dogs avoid separation anxiety as their owners’ pre-pandemic routines return to normal?
What are your top three tips for caring for dogs while working from home?
The surge in dog ownership during the pandemic has strained veterinary clinics. What alternative options are available to dog owners if their pup needs care?

Kris Hiney

Associate Professor

Molly H. Sumridge MS CDBC

Instructor of Anthrozoology

Kris Hiney

Associate Professor

Oklahoma State University

Kris Hiney

Associate Professor

Oklahoma State University

The shortage of “pandemic puppies” in the U.S. continues. When can Americans expect the dog supply to return to normal?

I wouldn’t say we have a shortage of dogs, we still have dogs in shelters from irresponsible owners. People that buy purebred dogs from quality breeders should expect to wait until the right dog is born.

With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading, how can dog owners who rely on professional dog walkers and sitters keep themselves and their pups safe?

There has been very little evidence of transmission to dogs from humans. The best way to stay safe is to get vaccinated. Otherwise, outdoor activities like dog walking are very safe with much reduced risk of exposure.

What are your top three tips for helping dogs avoid separation anxiety as their owners’ pre-pandemic routines return to normal?

Establish a routine and practice leaving the dog for periods of time. Even when working from home, having the dog spend some alone time, in a separate room, is a great way to practice for going back to work. Crate training properly can go along ways too.

What are your top three tips for caring for dogs while working from home?

Keep a routine and separate work time from play time. Have some clear cues when you transition from working to being able to engage with the dog, such as organizing your desk, packing up the laptop etc. Dogs thrive on predictable routines.

The surge in dog ownership during the pandemic has strained veterinary clinics. What alternative options are available to dog owners if their pup needs care?

I highly encourage people to create a positive veterinary client-patient relationship. Be sure your dog continues to receive regular checkups and don’t wait until the dog is desperately ill before seeking an appointment.

And remember, if your dog has symptoms of illness, sending in photos or videos can let the clinic know if it is an emergency or if it can wait a day or two.

Besides lots of dog parks and vets, what makes for a great city for dog lovers? How can local governments make their cities more attractive to dog owners?

Green space and poop bags! I also greatly enjoy outdoor dining facilities that allow well mannered dogs to dine with the owner.

Walking trails and lots of dog activities. I’m really into dog sports and would now only move to a city that has an active dog training community.

It’s said that a dog is a man’s or woman’s best friend. What are three ways you can mark International Dog Day with your BFF (Best Furry Friend)?

Go for a walk in a new location, take lunch at an outdoor restaurant that allows dogs, and watch a dog movie with your best friend on the couch beside you.

Molly H. Sumridge MS CDBC

Instructor of Anthrozoology

Carroll College

Molly H. Sumridge MS CDBC

Instructor of Anthrozoology

Carroll College

The shortage of “pandemic puppies” in the U.S. continues. When can Americans expect the dog supply to return to normal?

As Americans return to busy lives, some owners will find that their new companion is not the right fit for them and there will be a (hopefully) brief influx of dogs into local animal shelters over the next 6 months to 1 year.

This will likely even out demand in some areas. In other areas, shelter populations were low to begin with and will likely continue to bring dogs in from higher population areas when demand is high.

With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading, how can dog owners who rely on professional dog walkers and sitters keep themselves and their pups safe?

Communicate with your professional about how they will come into contact with you and your home and what preventative measures you need to stay safe. Only work with professionals that will communicate with you about their current procedures and are willing to work with you if you have special concerns.

Luckily confirmed cases of COVID-19 in dogs is extremely rare, as is the risk of transmission from dog to person.

What are your top three tips for helping dogs avoid separation anxiety as their owners’ pre-pandemic routines return to normal?

Consider daycare or a pet sitter on long days away from home. Start now by leaving your dog for smaller increments of time before you return to work. Leave your pet with safe toys and puzzles to keep their mind occupied.

What are your top three tips for caring for dogs while working from home?

Exercise them before you clock in so they will be comfortable and resting while you’re working. Take breaks that include a quick potty and play session with your dog.

If you have an important call or something you can’t be interrupted during, give your dog a toy, chew, or puzzle so they will stay occupied and quiet while you’re working.

The surge in dog ownership during the pandemic has strained veterinary clinics. What alternative options are available to dog owners if their pup needs care?

Be careful about treating your pet at home. Many suggestions found on the internet are not appropriate for owners to try and diagnose or self administer on their own.

Instead, call your vet and discuss with them what requires a visit to their office and what you might be able to do for your pet at home. You can also forward your records to a backup vet if your preferred hospital is overstrained.

Besides lots of dog parks and vets, what makes for a great city for dog lovers? How can local governments make their cities more attractive to dog owners?

My city, Helena in Montana, is a special place for dog lovers. It’s obvious from it’s majestic mountains that it is a hiking paradise but there is so much more to Helena for dog and owner alike.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Montanans were able to enjoy some semblance of normal–out walking their dogs on quiet countryside roads, outdoor shopping malls, and up gorgeous mountain trails. Dogs helped their Montana owners stay active, engaged, and grounded.

The more a local government can think about human/canine accessibility and make their outdoor spaces, walking malls, and community areas dog friendly, the more socialized community dogs become and spaces can be more successfully shared together.

It’s said that a dog is a man’s or woman’s best friend. What are three ways you can mark International Dog Day with your BFF (Best Furry Friend)?

Try something new together! Visit a new park, trail, outdoor restaurant, or dog specific business.

Learn a new trick! Training your dog increases your bond and understanding of one another, and what better way to celebrate your relationship?

Try a new recipe! Most owners don’t realize that they can make safe, tasty, exciting dog treats at home for their dogs. Many of these recipes are cheap and easy to make, and the best part… your dog can lick the bowl!

Methodology

We ranked the 198 biggest U.S. cities from best (No. 1) to worst (No. 198) based on their overall scores (out of 100 possible points), averaged across all the weighted metrics listed below.

Metric	Weighting	Min. Value	Max. Value	Best
Housing
Average Home Square Footage	2	850	3048	Max. Value
Share of Dog-Friendly Rental Properties	2	8.54%	75.52%	Max. Value
Average Yard Size	3	2744	23951	Max. Value
Community
Dog Events per 100,000 Residents	2	0	5.5	Max. Value
Dog Meetups per 100,000 Residents	2	0	6.79	Max. Value
Animal Shelters per 100,000 Residents	3	0	5.9	Max. Value
Walk Score	3	13	98	Max. Value
Dog-Friendly Laws	2	2	12	Max. Value
Care
Pet Stores per 100,000 Residents	2	0	33.68	Max. Value
Veterinarians per 100,000 Residents	3	0.48	62.19	Max. Value
Emergency Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals per 100,000 Residents	2	0	3.2	Max. Value
Animal Hospitals per 100,000 Residents	1	0	4.45	Max. Value
Services
Dog Walkers per 100,000 Residents	2	4.68	1161.55	Max. Value
Pet Trainers per 100,000 Residents	1	0.43	98.4	Max. Value
Median Per-Visit Dog Sitter Rate	1	$8.00	$25.83	Min. Value
Dog Sitters per 100,000 Residents	2	1.28	202.26	Max. Value
Pet Groomers per 100,000 Residents	2	1.17	252.46	Max. Value
Dog Boarding Offers per 100,000 Residents	2	0.58	179.82	Max. Value
Kennels per 100,000 Residents	2	1.93	155.62	Max. Value
Businesses
Pet-Friendly Hotels per 100,000 Residents	1	0	36.68	Max. Value
Dog-Friendly Restaurants per 100,000 Residents	1	1.37	134.96	Max. Value
Dog-Friendly Shopping Centers per 100,000 Residents	1	0	9.63	Max. Value

Sources: BringFido, Emergency Vets USA, Homes.com, LawnStarter, Meetup, PetSitter.com, Rent.com, Sittercity, TripAdvisor, VCA Hospitals, Yellow Pages, and Yelp

Main Photo Credit: Lua Pramos / www.flickr.com / (CC BY 2.0)