6/4--Dog Days of Summer

The Porto Vista Hotel will be having a Dog Days of Summer rooftop mingle event. This will be held Friday June 4th, from 5:30 to 9:00pm. Sign On San Diego explains, "To celebrate the warming weather, Porto Vista invites guests to dress up their pups in their best summer attire, from sleek doggy shades to cool shorts and baseball caps. Guests will also have the option to apply for adoption or foster an Italian Greyhound in need of a home."

6/5--Helen Woodward benefit event

The Helen Woodward Animal Center's 22nd Annual Spring Fling will be held on Saturday, June 5th at 6:30pm to midnight at the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Rancho Santa Fe campus. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on the link.

6/6--RB Alive! Expo

Check out the RB Alive! Expo in Rancho Bernardo on Sunday June 6th with your dog. There will be arts, music, kids activities/Zone, food, and classic car show. There will be over 300 booths. Sounds like a fun way to spend the day out of the house with the pooch!

Happy Friday!

I love this picture of Penny! Have you seen the movie Zoolander with Ben Stiller where he's a model and does his famous "blue steel" pose?! Well I think that's what Penny is trying to do here! :) If you have a fun, cute, silly picture of your doggy email it to me to post!

6/6--Rock 'n Roll Marathon

Go be a spectator with your dog on Sunday, June 6th at the Rock 'n Roll Marathon and cheer on all the competitors! There will be local bands playing live on 26 entertainment stages. There will be a FREE post-race concert featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy located at the finish line festival and is open to the public. Check out specator tips and spots on the link above.

5/29--Blood Drive event

The 2nd Annual "Bandit The Biker Dog Memorial Blood Drive", benefitting the San Diego Blood Bank will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010 9am-3pm at San Diego Harley Davidson - 5600 Kearny Mesa Rd. 92111. Dogs are welcome! There will be live entertainment, a FREE BBQ, give-a-ways, drawings, and more surprises to be announced. Incentives for donors include: Hornblower passes, “Burrito Bucks” from Chipotle, movie tickets, food provided by Pat & Oscars. There will be a free BBQ for ALL; Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions on site; raffle prizes.

5/27--Art Walk

Thursdays On the Coast Art Walk is held in downtown Carlsbad at the Shops at Village Faire. This will be held on Thursday May 27th from 5:30-8:30 pm. We've never been to this, but based on the venue, I'm assuming it's held outside. In other words, I don't think it should be a problem to bring along the family dog! Check out the art, music, food and fun.

The Dog Surf Competition was so fun!

We went to the 5th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition this past Saturday and had a blast! There was a huge turn out and we've never seen so many dogs in one place before. We would definitely recommend checking it out next year!

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!

Happy Friday!

Just a fun photo! Here is Penny (right), with her doggy 'uncle' playing a good old game of tug-o-war. Can you see the one red ball in both of their mouths? This is a favorite game between the two of them. It ultimately turns into a friendly game of 'stand-off' that seems to go on forever as they both keep a firm grip of the ball in their mouths, tails wagging the whole time. Sometimes Penny even gets so tired that she lays down (still with her half of the ball in her mouth) while trying to get the ball from him! What goof balls!

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!"

FREE--Potty Training Seminar at Petco

Are accidents more of a routine with your dog than a real accident? Does your dog think your floor is the grass? Not crazy about yellow polka-dotted carpet? If so, check out the free Potty Training seminar at Petco.

5/22 (Sat)--San Marcos--11 to 11:30am
5/23 (Sun)--San Marcos--1 to 1:30pm
5/26 (Wed)--Chula Vista--6 to 7:30pm

5/22--Fundraiser for Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary

On May 22nd, Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary will hold a fundraiser at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido from 4-10pm. There will be music, food, dancing, silent auction, etc. Check out the link if you are interested in attending and purchasing a ticket. It sounds like it will be a fun night!

5/23--Pet-A-Palooza--FREE event

On Sunday, May 23rd, Viejas Outlet Center Park will be hosting Pet-A-Palooza from 11am-3pm. The San Diego NBC events page talks about it, saying "Take advantage of the Adopt A Pet Village – nearly 20 pet rescues including dogs, cats and even bunnies! You’ll also be able to meet and take part in a special presentation by Victoria Stilwell, star of Animal Planet’s hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog . Informational booths and vendors will be on hand along with free goodies, live, on-stage protection and obedience demonstrations and prizes for Best Trick, Pet/Owner Look-A-Like and Mr. & Miss Pet-A-Palooza contests. Take your picture with celebrity pets Bobby Gorgeous and Chopper the Biker Dog and win "pawsome" prizes like tickets to SeaWorld's Summer Night Party! Did we mention this fun family event is absolutely free ? Leashed dogs are welcome to join in on the fun, but please remember to clean up after your pet at the event." Sounds like fun!

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!

5/23--Sicilian Italian Festival--FREE admission

On Sunday, May 23rd, from 10am-6pm, San Diego's Little Italy will be hosting the 17th Annual Sicilian Festival! Admission is free. There will be food, entertainment, free children's rides and entertainment, a traditional grape stomp (how fun!), as well as art, history, and heritage. Check out the link for more details. (I don't think there are dog restrictions, because I think it's similar to a street fair outside.)

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.

5/22--Dog Surf Competition!

Check out the 5th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition on Saturday, May 22, 2010. This will be held at Dunes Park/Beach at 700 Seacoast Drive Imperial Beach, CA 91932. This looks like it's going to be so much fun! We are definitely planning on checking it out! There is a fee if you want to enter your dog in the competition. This event fundraises for pet charities and this year will benefit the San Diego Police Department Canine Unit through the San Diego Police Foundation. There are some great dog surf videos on the site...check them out by clicking on the link above.

Here's the line-up:
10 to 10:30 a.m.Practice sessions by San Diego’s premier surfing school, Coronado Surfing Academy
11 a.m. Event Begins Heat One: Small Surf Dogs (40 pounds and under)Heat Two: Large Surf Dogs (41 pounds and over)Heat Three: Tandem Surfing (dogs and humans)
1 or 2 p.m.Awards Ceremony

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!

5/12--Yappy Hour at Dexter's Deli

Enjoy a Yappy Hour at Dexter's Deli in San Elijo Hills on 5/12 (Wed) from 5-6:30pm. You and your dog will be able to enjoy drinks and light refreshments while your dog socializes with the other doggy friends.

Finally, the weekend!

All week I have been saying, "Is it Friday yet?" I've been longing for the weekend and I'm sure Penny has been too! We can't wait to get out for breakfast and down to the beach or a dog park! I just found out about a coupon for a free bagel and cream cheese at Bruegger's Bagels thanks to My Good Cents website...I think I know where we will be heading Saturday morning! (There is a link to print out your coupon...check it out.) Hope you all have a great weekend!

5/15--CCI dog graduation--FREE

Check out the newest graduates from CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) on 5/15 (Sat) and noon in Oceanside. Penny's doggy 'cousin' is a CCI doggy and to say he is so good and smart would be an understatement. The graduation event only occurs 4 times per year! As the CCI website explains, "At these inspiring events, people with disabilities will graduate with their new, highly-trained assistance dogs. These dogs have been in training for over two years and know approximately 50 commands including opening doors, turning on/off lights, and retrieving dropped objects. " The event is free and open to the public. (I'm guessing that you probably won't be able to bring your dog to the graduation, but I could be wrong. Their phone number is listed on their website, so call to be sure.) I think it's so amazing and inspiring what a dog can do and the love a dog can show, and I think this event will only prove that!

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!

5/2--Carlsbad Street Fair follow-up

So we made it down to the Carlsbad Street Fair today. And boy was it busy! We tried walking Penny through the crowds...'try' being the key word. We think she was a bit confused as to what direction she should walk in. When we take her for a walk anywhere else, there is usually a clear path or sidewalk that directs her. And she walks us! But today, poor thing, she kept getting cut off by innocent street-fair-goers. She seemed excited about all the people, but just not sure which way to go. Does your dog get confused in crowds? Anyways, it was such a warm, beautiful day today, wasn't it? After going around approximately a half block of the street fair, we ended up down at the boardwalk which was gorgeous as always!

Doggy Social at Muttropolis

Muttropolis stores host dogs socials on a regular basis for various breeds/groups! It's off-leash play time for the dogs and often light appetizers are provided to the 'parents' and treats to the dogs. Check out an upcoming scheduled event!

5/12 Yorkie Yappy Hour at La Jolla 7-8 pm

5/12 A Rescue Romp at Solana Beach 7-8 pm

5/15 Puppy Play Date at La Jolla 6-7 pm

5/19 A Rescue Romp at La Jolla 7-8 pm

5/19 A Frenchie Frolic at Solana Beach 7-8 pm

5/26 It's a Pomeranian Party at La Jolla 7-8 pm
5/26 A Teacup Party at Solana Beach 7-8 pm

5/2--Street Fairs

We were walking Penny in Carlsbad yesterday morning, when we saw signs along the roads preparing for the Street Fair on 5/2 (Sunday) from 8am-5pm. Street fairs are always so much fun to check out, and it seems like downtown Carlsbad's is getting increasingly more popular as every year it seems more and more crowded. And with Mother and Father's Day just around the corner, you may find a unique buy from a local vendor. There is also a Street Fair this Sunday in Rancho Penasquitos from 11am-5pm on Black Mountain Road between Carmel Mountain Road and Twin Trails Drive.