3/13--Ugly Dog Contest

Check out the 16th Annual Del Mar Kiwanis Ugly Dog Contest on Sunday March 13th--Rain or Shine! Check-in is at 10:00 and the contest starts at 11:15. For more information: http://www.uglydogcontest.com/index.htm

9/12--Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

The Helen Woodward Animal Center will be holding the 5th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon on Sunday, September 12th. It will be held at North Beach in Del Mar, also known as Dog Beach or the River Mouth. We went to a dog surf event earlier this year with Penny, and it was SOOOOO much fun! The Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon homepage explains, "Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon is a great family day at the beach for surfers and dog lovers alike. This event will help raise awareness and money for orphaned pets while promoting responsible pet ownership....The funds raised will be used to support all the programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Please remember to bring money to the beach as there will be over 40 vendors, food, and an opportunity drawing!" The HWAC website goes on to say, "Other fun animal-friendly activities include the Beach Bum Bikini BabeCanine Costume Contest and interactive Vendor Booths from the surf and pet industries.... Local and national media will be involved in the promotion andcoverage of this event, with expected attendance in the thousands!"

8/28--Wags to Riches Rummage Sale

In a previous post, I talked about how if you are into garage saleing, you could find a community garage sale and walk your dog at the same time! We have done that a couple times with Penny. We of course make sure we stop by a local coffee house on the way. Sometimes we don't find any treasures, but its a great way to get you and your dog some exercise! Penny always likes a new walk, instead of the same old routine too. This Saturday, August 28th there will be a Wags to Riches rummage sale to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center from 7am to 2pm. The website explains, "We will be holding our first rummage sale... in Helen Woodward Animal Center's riding arena located at 6461 El Apajo Rd., Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the programs of Helen Woodward Animal Center. Refreshments will be available... We will see you at the sale!"

7/29--Yappy Hour Cookout

Check out the Yappy Hour Cookout at Three Dog Bakery in Del Mar on Thursday, July 29th from 5-7pm. This event benefits FOCAS which is a non-profit, volunteer organization that helps lost and abandoned dogs and cats in San Diego Animal Services' shelters. "

7/11--Dexter's Deli 17th Birthday Party

Happy Birthday! Celebrate Dexter's Deli's 17th Birthday Party on Sunday, July 11th, from 2 to 4 pm at their Del Mar Store. There will be a BBQ, cake, and 20% off treats, toys, and accessories.

6/11 & 6/12--Purina Incredible Dog Challenge

Going to the San Diego County Fair this year at the Del Mar Fairgrounds? Go see the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, on Friday June 11th and Saturday June 12th. The San Diego Fair website says, "Back at the Fair for the second year is the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, an Olympic-style competition for dogs that is viewed by more than one billion people worldwide via television. The Challenge features the country's top canine athletes and their handlers in events such as agility, diving dog, freestyle flying disc, 60-weave pole racing, and Jack Russell hurdle racing."

Here's the line-up:

Friday, June 11
2:00PM Soccer Collies Exhibition
3:15PM Incredible Jack Russell Hurdle Racing Practice
3:45PM Incredible Diving Dog Practice
4:30PM Incredible Agility Practice
5:30PM Incredible 30-Weave Up-and-Back Practice
6:00PM Incredible Freestyle Flying Disc Practice Saturday,

June 12
11:00AM Diving Dog Warm-Up
11:20AM Agility Forerunners
11:25AM National Anthem
11:30AM Incredible Agility Competition
12:30PM Incredible Diving Dog Competition
1:15PM Incredible Jack Russell Hurdle Racing
2:30PM Incredible 30-Weave Up-and-Back
3:00PM Incredible Freestyle Flying Disc Competition

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!

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!

Social at Dexter's Deli in Del Mar on April 7th

I was on Dexter's Deli website and saw that they will be holding what looks like a dog & parent social on 4/7/10 (Wed.) in Del Mar from 5:00-6:30 PM. The site mentions: "Bring your pup for drinks & snacks, and mingle with some local pet pros on our patio. Refreshments for people and pups will be available."

Del Mar Dog Beach

We recently went to Dog Beach in Del Mar and had a great time! There were several dogs there running around on the sand, retrieving balls in the water, and making new doggy friends. Since Penny is adopted, we are not sure if she has ever been to the beach or played in the ocean before. She looked a bit confused by the sand and the tide rushing up on her paws, but it didn't take long before she was running around enjoying herself.

This beach is along Coast Hwy 101, just West of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. You do need to pay to park so come prepared (the machine there takes bills and coin). I'm not sure if this beach is leash-free or not as most of the dogs were off leash, however, I think CA law is that your dog needs to be on a leash (so in other words, play it safe and bring the leash). What a fun time we had...we will definitely be back!

Sun March 28th--Vaccination and Health Seminar

There will be a seminar on Sunday March 28th at the Del Mar Hilton that will present information on vaccinations and health care for dogs. Admission (includes breakfast, lunch and a bag of Nature's Variety dog or cat Food) is $115, or sign up with a friend for $100 each. All proceeds (minus direct expenses of the seminar) benefit the Rabies Challenge Fund.