12/4--Jingle Paws Walk for Pets

Check out the Jingle Paws Walk for Pets hosted by the Aces Foundation and Camp Bow Wow on December 4, 2010. The Aces Foundation website brochure says, "Festivities begin at 9:00am with a Blessing of the Animals, walk begins immediately after. Last years event raised over $4,000.00 all of which is used to assist the guests at El Cajon Animal Shelter. Our goal this year is to raise $10,000.00. Anyone who loves animals is encouraged to join the walk. Walkers can come with or without a companion animal. We invite you to stay for Santa’s Village, which begins immediately after Jingle Paws Walk. It’s sure to be a fun filled day with games for your pooch and the entire family! Hope to see you there. " Please check out the link for more more information and registration details.

11/21--Encinitas Street Fair

Tomorrow, Sunday November 21st is the Encinitas Street Fair. I'm not sure how this will work out in the rain, but it's always a fun time seeing the interesting--and sometimes odd things--people are selling. Christmas is coming up so you might find some unique gifts for family and friends, and Fido will thank you for his fun walk! Check out the link for more info.

10/2--Greyhound Walking Group

Got a grey hound? Want a greyhound? Want to go for a walk with your dog? Check out the Greyhound Walking Group on the first Saturday of each month. Click on the link to be redirected to the Greyhound Connection website for more details and more information about their organization. The site explains, "Greyhounds from all organizations are invited to this casual get-together. Walks are open to people and dogs from all rescue groups. Thinking about adopting a greyhound? Come and chat with some happy greyhound owners. "

9/4--Greyhound Walking Group

Got a grey hound? Want a greyhound? Want to go for a walk with your greyhound? Check out the Greyhound Walking Group on Saturday, September 4th, from 9 to 10:30am. Click on the link to be redirected to the Greyhound Connection website for details and more information about their organization. The site explains, "Greyhounds from all organizations are invited to this casual get-together. Walks are open to people and dogs from all rescue groups. Thinking about adopting a greyhound? Come and chat with some happy greyhound owners. "

7/17--Jazz on Cedros

Stroll down Cedros (in Solana Beach) while listening to some great jazz with your dog! Jazz on Cedros will be held on Saturday, July 17th, from 12:30 to 5 pm. What a fun, relaxing way to spend a summer day in July! Plus, there is a Muttropolis store on Cedros you can pop into.

7/3--Greyhound Walking Group

Got a grey hound? Want a greyhound? Want to go for a walk with your greyhound? Check out the Greyhound Walking Group on Saturday, July 3rd, from 9 to 10:30am. Click on the link to be redirected to the Greyhound Connection website for details and more information about their organizations. The site explains, "Greyhounds from all organizations are invited to this casual get-together. Walks are open to people and dogs from all rescue groups. Thinking about adopting a greyhound? Come and chat with some happy greyhound owners. "

6/19--Pet Fest and Doggy Dash

Pet Fest & Doggy Dash 2010 will be held on Saturday, June 19th in Chula Vista from 8am to 1pm. The admission is FREE! The website explains, "This will be the day for pets to be celebrated. On Saturday, June 19, join our community for the 9th Annual event that is filled with friendly paws. Pet Fest promises to be the premier pet event this year, featuring a Doggy Dash 1.5-mile run/walk, pet adoptions, and pet related vendors and services. Also, don't miss the on-site blessing of the animals, spaying and neutering on the SNAP Neuter Scooter. The Doggy Dash will kick off at 9 a.m. Each $15 entry receives a free event t-shirt. All pets must be leashed in order to participate. Many dogs, cats, and other furry friends will be at this event and available for adoption. Shelter representatives will be answering questions about pet adopting and pet care." What fun!

Farmers Markets every Monday

Check out the Farmers Market every Monday in Escondido - Welk Village. Get your California grown produce and a walk for your dog all done in one!

A walk down by the beach!

Penny loves a good walk down by the beach! And so do we! Here are a couple pictures of a recent walk in Carlsbad.

Look at that beautiful view! And of course, Penny loves to lead the way!

6/5--Greyhound Walking Group

Got a Greyhound? Join the Greyhound Walking Group on Saturday, June 5, 9:00am – 10:30am. Check out the Greyhound Connection of San Diego website for details. The site explains that "Greyhounds from all organizations are invited to this casual get-together. Walks are open to people and dogs from all rescue groups. Thinking about adopting a greyhound? Come and chat with some happy greyhound owners."

6/3--Cedros Goes Coconuts

Check out the Cedros Goes Coconuts event on Thursday June 3rd, from 5-9pm. Entertainment, live music, etc. The weather lately has been great, so this would be a perfect evening stroll with Fido! Thanks to Muttropolis for advertising this event. Don't forget to check out the Muttropolis store while you're down on Cedros.

Fun Finds!

So my good friend from San Diego Deals and Steals and I went garage saleing yesterday morning in the San Elijo community. I can't remember the last time I did this...I'm generally not a morning person, but now having a dog with an early morning routine, I now get up earlier. We had so much fun and got some great deals. I came home with two beatiful wall sconces, a fun wall clock, and a large plant pot (getting a late start on my Spring planting) all for $9. And my friend got some amazing deals on children's items! While the doggy stayed home with dad, I realized that garage saleing would be a great thing to take your dog to. Just find a community-wide garage sale, park the car, get some great finds, and Fido gets a walk!

5/23--La Jolla Pet Parade

Join in on the 2nd Annual La Jolla Pet Parade on Sunday, May 23rd from 10am-2pm to benefit the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP). This website says, "Fun for the whole family - the event includes a festive sidewalk parade in the beautiful downtown Village of La Jolla and a festival offering fun contests, vendor booths and an adoption fair!"

A scenic place we have found to walk Penny is at Lakeview Park in San Marcos. There is a large pond (or small lake) to walk around with groomed paths. There is a dock (which we call "duck dock"--try and say that 3 times fast) that the ducks swim around and Penny gets so excited about all the duck smells and quacks. (Often times there are people fishing there, so watch out for hooks.) There is also a playground at the entrance to the park for kids. There is a path that we have started that leads up the mountain at one end of the lake, but we didn't finish because Penny seemed tired--maybe we were a bit tired too :)--so next time we plan to go all the way up! A great place to take a dog for a walk--so calm and peaceful!

5/16--Dog Walk

Help support homeless animals nationwide! A FREE dog walk fundraising event is being held on Sunday, May 16th on behalf of the Best Friends Animal Society, hosted by students at Valhalla High School as a community service project. I found this advertised on Craigslist, which explains "Participants will sign in at the first table to get their free raffle tickets and then move on to the second table to donate and get a complimentary goodybag containing additional raffle tickets and an abundance of pet information. From there, participants are free to walk their dogs or just enjoy the Lake Murray scenery. The only thing we ask of you and your family is that you keep your pets on their leashes at all times and control and clean up after your pets (bags will be provided). The purpose of this event is to raise money and awareness for the nationwide homeless pets issue. In donating all proceeds to the Best Friends Animal Society we hope to give support and publicity to the largest non-profit, no kill shelter that serves as an umbrella for homeless pets nationwide. Although we are funraising in the form of a "Dog Walk", the Best Friends Animal Society shelters a large variety of animals from rabbits to birds to pigs and everything in between. " "Bring your dogs, families and friends, sunscreen and walking shoes! There will be a raffle at 9:00 am and complimentary goodybags with each donation." The ad on Craiglist says to respond to the posting (click on the link above) so they know how many people are coming. I don't see an address or directions on the ad, so make sure when you respond you ask for these as well.

5/15--Spa & Wellness Day

Get some exercise and treat your dog to a special day of pampering and grooming! This is a Spa & Wellness Day at Muttropolis in Solana Beach, this Saturday, May 15th from 9am to 1pm. Here's what the Muttropolis website has to say about this event: "9am Start the day with a fitness workout for you and your dog. Tammilee Webb, of Buns of Steel fame, will lead a circuit workout through the neighborhood, starting at 9am in our front yard. Call the store to sign up and reserve a spot for you and your pup. 11-1pm Your pooch can benefit from massage just like we do! Complimentary, 10 minute massages will be given compliments of Healing Hands Canine Massage. Michelle and team from Rancho Solana Pet Spa will be on hand to do complimentary nail clipping and smoothing. They will also do bow placement for your furry fashionista! Learn how proper pet nutrition can create Wellness. Food demos and supplement samples will be available. Free goody bags for the first 20 Spaw and Wellness customers! We hope to see you here!"

San Elijo Hills

Not too long ago we took Penny with us to the San Elijo Hills community in San Marcos. It's beautiful and has that small town feel! We went to Dexter's Deli and then walked around. There is a large pretty fountain with several tables around it that you could bring a meal to and eat at. There is a play ground and spray-ground for the kiddos nearby. And since we've been there we have heard there is a dog park in the community, so we'll be sure to go back soon!

Every Wednesday--Farmers Markets

Check out the Farmers Markets every Wednesday in the following cities/locations: Carlsbad, Ocean Beach, San Marcos, Santee, Tu Mercado (USD). Get you California grown produce and walk for your dog done all in one!

Every Thursday--Farmers Markets

Check out the Farmers Markets every Thursday in the following cities/locations: Chula Vista, Del Sur, Horton Square, Lakeside, North Park, Oceanside (there's 2 in Oceanside), Rancho Santat Fe, and Valley Center. Get your California grown produce and a walk for your dog all done in one!

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!