5/1 and 5/2--Old Town--FREE

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Old Town early on 5/1 (Sat) from 11am-10pm, and 5/2 (Sun) 10am-5pm! Walk around and enjoy historic San Diego while listening to live music and eating great food. (I don't think there are any restrictions to dogs in Old Town.)

Cinco de Mayo Yappy Hour!

On May 5th, bring your dog and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a Muttropolis! It will be a Yappy Hour at the Solana Beach location from 7-8pm or the La Jolla location from 7-8 pm. There will be off-leash play time for your canine, Mexican themed goodies for the doggy parents, and treats for Fido!

Spaniel Social

Got a spaniel? Bring them to a Spaniel Social that occurs monthly to meet some other spaniel friends! Check out San Diego Spaniel Rescue site to learn more.

Saturday May 1st - Doyle Park, Dog Park at 1:00pm

Saturday May 15th - Oceanside Dog Park at 11:00am at 2905 San Luis Rey Road
Saturday June 5th - Doyle Park, Dog Park at 1:00pm
Saturday June 19th - Oceanside Dog Park at 11:00am at 2905 San Luis Rey Road

Potato Shack for breakfast

Recently we went out to breakfast at Potato Shack in Encinitas (right off Coast Hwy 101). We sat outside at their patio seating with Penny. They are known for their famous Man Hole Cover size pancakes--they are bigger than, and over-hang the edge of your plate! (Each time they amaze me!) Last time we got omlettes which were great! And I really like their American Fries (which are like seasoned potato wedges), in which I always ask for salsa on the side. So good! Penny of course had to sprawl out in middle of the outdoor walkway so she didn't miss any of the action, but no one seemed to mind. Afterwards we took a walk along Coast Hwy to burn off all those calorie. Great day with the dog!

Happy Pet Parent Day!

The last Sunday in April has been designated as Happy Pet Parent Day, to honor all the 'parents' of pets! Here's to you pet parent...enjoy your day and your dog!

May 1st--Walk for Animals

On 5/1/10 (Saturday), the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA will be hosting a Walk for Animals fundraiser in Mission Bay, to help pets throughout San Diego get the care they need and deserve. There are prizes to win, depending on how much you fundraise. This is a family-friendly event! The walk will be a short .75 miles. There will also be vendors, food, and music there!

Sunset Park--San Marcos

There is a new park in San Marcos (on the border of Vista), called Sunset Park, and it is so nice! It's 19-acres, has an ocean view, a couple of playgrounds and spray-ground for the kiddos, picnic tables, a soccer field (and a couple other fields that could be used for sports games) and a frisbee/disc-golf course. And last, but certainly not least, there is a dog off-leash area. Actually there are two...one for big dogs and one for little dogs (right next to each other)! We have been there a few times and love it! One thing to look for when you're there--which I find odd and amusing--is the sign on the front of the dog off-leash area. It says something along the lines of: A six foot maximum leash must be used inside the off-leash area. How contradictory is that!?! (Typo...I'm assuming.) There is lots of space and paths to walk your canine companion. Thank you to my friend at San Diego Deals and Steals for letting me know about this new park! I can't wait for summer when it's nice and sunny so we can enjoy a picnic at Sunset Park!

April 24th & 25th--Encinitas Street Fair

Check out the Encinitas Street Fair with your canine pal on April 24th & 25th from 9am-5pm, on Highway 101 between D and J Streets. It's always interesting to check out the booths and see what people are selling.

Cedros Avenue Design District

Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach is always a fun walk! You can window shop there with your canine, have lunch on the patio of one of the restaurants, and on Sundays there is a farmer's market from 1-5pm. There is also a Muttropolis store along this street you can take your dog into.

April 17th--Dexter's Deli--FREE event

On 4/17, Dexter's Deli in Del Mar from 12-3pm is hosting FREE 10 minute doggie massages! Sounds relaxing!

Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad

Have you been to the Bressi Ranch shopping center in Carlsbad? What a beautiful center! (It's off of Palomar Airport Road). The first time we went there with Penny, we needed to do a little grocery shopping, so one of us walked with Penny through the big open grassy areas, while the other shopped. (There is a Trader Joes and Stater Bros.) Between the center and the Bressi Ranch neighborhood is a large open area of sprawling manicured lawns interspersed with flowering planters, a gazebo, tables to eat at, and a fountain. The second time we were there with Penny we went for leisurely lunch and then took a stroll. There are places to eat with outdoor seating like Rubio's and Board 'N Brew. There is also a Pete's Coffee with patio seating and a frozen yogurt shop.

FREE Behavior & Manner Seminar at Petco

Check out the multiple locations for the free Behavior & Manner Seminar at Petco. Just go to Petco website and click on store locator. Once you've picked a store, click on the events link. I wonder if this class can help with burping, because Penny is a pro at that...so lady like!

April 10th (Sat) from 10-11am in Carmel Mountain Ranch
April 10th (Sat) from 1:30-2pm in Mission Gorge
April 12th (Mon) from 7-8pm in Carmel Mountain Ranch
April 17th (Sat) from 1:30-2pm in Mission Gorge
April 18th (Sun) from 1-2pm in San Marcos
April 20th (Tues) from 2-3pm in Carmel Mountain Ranch
April 24th (Sat) from 10-11am in Clairemont Mesa
April 24th (Sat) from 1:30-2pm in Mission Gorge
April 27th (Tues) from 5-6pm at Sports Arena location

Parent & Dog Social

A fun time for parents and their dogs! Muttropolis hosts events for specific breed socials at their various locations on Wednesday nights from 7-8pm. It's off-leash playtime for your pooch! Depending on what day and which location, the event may offer wine & cheese, light appetizers, 10% discount on purchases, etc. Something cool to check out! Here are some upcoming event nights:

Oodles of Poodles on 4/7 in Solana Beach
Schnauzer-pooza on 4/7 in La Jolla
Havanese, Bichon, and Cotons Galore on 4/14 in La Jolla
Terrier Tango on 4/14 in Solana Beach
Oodles of Poodles on 4/21 in La Jolla
A Maltese Mixer on 4/21 in Solana Beach
A Boston Terrier Bash on 4/28 in La Jolla
A Bulldog Bonanza on 4/28 in Solana Beach

Did you or your dog feel the earthquake today?

First of all, Happy Easter! The weather turned out great today in San Diego, didn't it? We had a nice lunch outdoors today with family and friends. And Penny got to play with her doggy 'cousin.' I wish I had a rabbit ear headband so I could have taken a picture with it on Penny! After eating and relaxing and playing, some of our family who were sitting down felt a tremor. I was walking around at the time, which is probably why I didn't feel it. Apparently, we had a fairly significant sized earthquake. Did you feel it? I'm hearing different reports now of it being a 6.9 or 7.2 earthquake with the epicenter being in Baja California. After listening to everyone we were with talk about what they felt and what they saw moving, I started to wonder if Penny felt it, or if she sensed it ahead of time. Can dogs sense earthquakes before they happen? I've heard that they do, but I didn't know if it was true. I did a search online, but there wasn't anything conclusive. I don't recall any strange behavior from Penny before the earthquake, other than her trying to sneak some food off my sister's plate when she wasn't looking, but that's not strange...that's typical Penny!

April 7th--Dexter's Deli event

On 4/7, Dexter's Deli in Del Mar is hosting a 'Yappy Hour' from 5-6:30pm! Bring your pooch for snacks and drinks and to talk to some local pet professionals. There will be refreshments for the people and their doggies!

Woofstock--April 10th

Want to participate in a fun event with your pooch and help fundraise at the same time?! On April 10th, Woofstock will be held in Balboa Park to benefit CCI (Canine Campanions for Independence). Penny's 'cousin' is a CCI doggy! CCI's website explains how they are a "nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships...CCI assistance dogs open up new lives of independence, mobility, companionship, and inclusion for those with disabilities. CCI is supported entirely by private donations, foundations, and fundraisers like WOOFSTOCK 2010." This is a 60's themed festival for people and their dogs, which kicks off with a "Walk 'n Roll" fun walk, and the festival begins after! Check out CCI's website to learn more about this organization, and to find out more information on Woofstock event information and registration. It sounds like it's going to be a blast!