It's Saturday and your dog is staring at you again. She wants to go out. She's tired of watching the Food Network. She won't let you leave the house — again — without her.

I go through this every weekend with my dog, Sunny.

When I start loading up my car with surfboards and beach towels, she gets just as excited, too.

But it's tough finding activities and events that both owners and their pets can do together.

It's not like you can take your hamster to Wet 'N' Wild Hawaii or your cat to Kanpai Bar & Grill.

I've had to be proactive about finding things to do with my pooch.

We hike up Mariners Ridge and Makapu'u a few times a month, spend most Sundays at Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park, paddle on my longboard around Maunalua Bay and hang out at the Hawai'i Kai Dog Park just about every afternoon.

It's a lot of work — but that comes with being a pet owner.

So if you're creative — and you have great Google skills — you, too, can find fun, active things to do around town that both you and your pet will enjoy.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

TAKE A HIKE

Many hiking trails around O'ahu are dog-friendly — as long as owners pick up after their pooches. Some favorites include Makapu'u, 'Aiea Loop Trail, Waimano Valley and Maunawili Gulch.

"I was super nervous taking (my dog) hiking off-leash. I was worried she might wander off," said Emily Young, 25, a sales analyst for Dell who takes her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Lady hiking up Mariners Ridge at least twice a month. "But the experience has turned out really good. Lady really enjoys it."

The Hawaiian Humane Society's Paws on the Path hiking club organizes monthly hikes for dogs. Hikes are typically three miles long and take about two hours. Volunteers lead the hike, which takes place on the last Saturday of every month.

Young said organized hikes like these would be helpful for first-time hikers and recommends trying it.

It's a great way to exercise your pet — and yourself, too.

"Lady loves it," she said. "She gets excited while we're on the trail. Her tail is wagging, her ears are perked. It's great."

Next event: Paws on the Path's hike at 'Aiea Loop Trail, 8:45 a.m. Sept. 26. Meet at the trailhead. One dog per person only. Dogs must be leashed. Free. 356-2217, www.hawaiianhumane.org.

PET-FRIENDLY STORES

Most malls and shopping centers in Hawai'i aren't pet-friendly. But there are some — like Ward Warehouse and Halekuai Center in Kapolei — that allow pets on leashes.

It's not uncommon to see dogs wandering the aisles at 55 Pawsh Place, a pet supply store at the Halekuai Center. Many walk around the mall before taking their dogs to a nearby park.

And Bark Avenue, a canine cafe and boutique in Koko Marina Center in Hawai'i Kai, hosts dog-friendly events in the courtyard including an annual Halloween costume contest.

And it's not just pet stores that are pet-friendly.

Alliway, a jewelry boutique at Ward Warehouse, for example, lets customers browse the store with their dogs, no problem.

"It completely makes a difference with our customers," said owner Allison Kim-Czerniak, who brings her two dogs, Moki and Darwin, to work with her. "Customers who see dogs in the story will come in to be part of the positive energy."

Next event: 55 Pawsh Place's First Anniversary, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, with food and treat samples and information sessions. Free. 674-2055, www.55 pawshplace.com.

HIT THE BEACH

Believe it or not, there are more than 30 beaches on O'ahu where leashed dogs are allowed to play.

That was good news for Matthew McBride and Sarah Eberhardt, who recently moved to Kuli'ou'ou, where they can take their dog, Zeke, to the sandbar and out on their kayak.

"It's really nice to have a place where dogs can run around," said Eberhardt, who rescued Zeke from a shelter about a year ago. "A lot of people here don't have yards."

The state requires that dogs be kept on leashes at all beaches where dogs are allowed. (There are about two dozen beaches, including Ala Moana Beach and the lagoons at Ko Olina, that don't allow animals at all.)

To learn more: The Hawaiian Humane Society posts a complete list of dog-friendly beaches on its Web site, including information on beach etiquette and tips to keep your dogs safe. Visit www.hawaiianhumane.org/dog_beaches.html.

SUPPORT CHARITIES

Not only are you helping a pet-related charity, but these events give you something to do with your furry companions, too.

The Hawaii Dog Foundation, for example, holds meet-and-greets at Petco in Pearl City and various city dog parks. The no-kill dog rescue organization uses these events to spread the word about its mission.

And the Hawaiian Humane Society puts on the annual PetWalk, a fundraiser that supports the nonprofit and its community programs and services. The goal this year is $135,000.

About 3,000 humans — and 500 animals — participate in the yearly charity walk, which is open to all pets, not just dogs.

In fact, there have been cats, bunnies and even birds — all leashed and in some kind of carrier — participating in the walk around Magic Island.

Next event: PetWalk 2009, 8 a.m. Oct. 4 at Magic Island. Donations of all amounts welcome. 356-2225, www.hawaiianhumane.org.

PLAN A DOG PARTY

Tanna Dang went all out for her dog's first birthday party earlier this month.

Not only did she rent out space at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower for Chloe's birthday bash, Dang organized a posh biscuit bar and play area for the more than 40 dogs that attended.

There was even a three-tiered birthday cake.

"I wish Hawai'i was more dog-friendly," said Dang, 30, who owns The Wedding Café at Ward Warehouse and would like to see more dog-related events. "So many Mainland cities are completely dog-friendly. You see people take their pups everywhere — to the mall, parks, coffee shops and cafes."

Parties have literally gone to the dogs, with more and more dog owners planning elaborate parties for their pooches celebrating everything from obedience school graduations to weddings.

There are several bakeries in town — including the Hawaii Doggie Bakery & Gift Shop and Pet Power Hawaii — that specialize in gourmet dog treats and cakes. Pet Power Hawaii has a dog-bone-shaped cake ($26) made with bananas or sweet potatoes and a party supply package ($25) that includes invitations and thank-you cards, paper plates, napkins, party hats and a Happy Birthday banner.

To plan your party: To order a cake or party supplies for your dog party, call Pet Power Hawaii at 589-9971 or visit www.petpowerhawaii.com.

VISIT A DOG PARK

Nancy McCormick didn't think she'd spend so much time — around 10 hours a week — at the Hawai'i Kai Dog Park.

It's almost like a part-time job.

"I was totally surprised at how much I liked the dog park," said the 60-year-old educational specialist who takes her family dog, Disney, to the park at least four times a week. "It's become such a big part of my life."

More than 60 percent of O'ahu homes have pets, according to the Hawaiian Humane Society. And with many residents living in apartments and condos, there's a need for off-leash parks for these dogs to exercise and socialize.

There are five official dog parks: McInerny Dog Park at the Hawaiian Humane Society, Bark Park at Diamond Head, Moanalua Dog Park, Mililani Dog Park and the Hawai'i Kai Dog Park.

But there are more in the works, including one at the Ala Wai Community Park and Kaiaka Bay Beach Park in Hale'iwa.

Get involved: The North Shore Woof Pack, a nonprofit organization, is looking for volunteers to help it build an off-leash park in Hale'iwa. For more information or to help with the project, visit www.nswoofpack.org. For a complete list of both off- and on-leash dog parks, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org/parks_beach.html.

PLAN A STAYCATION

Most hotels don't have room rates for canines.

But there are some — including the Doubletree Alana Hotel-Waikiki and the Kahala Hotel & Resort — that, for a fee, will let your dogs stay overnight.

In fact, around the world, there are more hotels and B&Bs accommodating the traveling pet owners. Some pet-friendly hotel chains include Best Western, Embassy Suites, W Hotels and certain Marriott properties.

Dogs need vacations, too.

To learn more: Many hotels don't advertise that they allow pets, so you'll have to call to find out. Or you can visit www.PetTravel.com, www.TripsWithPets.com and www.DogFriendly.com to find out more about pet-friendly hotels.