Leash? What sign? I can’t read!!

Visit any San Diego beach, and there’s sure to be a dog nearby.  It’s  a natural lure what with surf to splash in, other salty dogs to chase, tennis balls to retrieve… not to mention brazen gulls wearing ‘chase me’ signs. Our sandy beaches offer  summer fun not too many dogs (nor their happy humans) can pass up. Only a handful of beaches allow dogs (leashed or not) and of those that do, most have rules that change to accommodate the summer crowds…

Along the coast from south to north, here’s a quick guide to dog permitted beaches & seasonal rules…

Imperial Beach – Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach north of Palm Ave & south of Imperial Beach Blvd.

Coronado – Dogs are not allowed on the City Beach, except at the very north end, where dogs may be off leash.

San Diego (including La Jolla) – Leashed dogs are permitted on beaches and in adjacent parks only after 6 p.m. and before  9 a.m., and are prohibited at other hours of the day. Exceptions are Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach and Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island, where unleashed dogs are permitted 24 hours a day.

Torrey Pines Reserve – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Del Mar – Dog Beach (29th Street to Solana Beach border signs) requires dogs to be on leach from June 15 through Labor Day.  The rest of the year, dogs are permitted off leash.  The central beach area (northern end of Powerhouse Park to 29th Street) does not allow dogs from June 15 through Labor Day, while leashed dogs are allowed in the remaining part of the year.  South of Powerhouse Park, leashed dogs are permitted year-round.

Solana Beach – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Encinitas – Dogs are not permitted at any time. At Cardiff State Beach, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach.

Carlsbad – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.

Oceanside – Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.  Leashed dogs may be walked on The Strand.

Click here for more information about Dog Parks in coastal San Diego areas.

Folks run the risk of a ticket or fine if the regulations are not observed, as well as a second citation if it is discovered that the dog is not licensed, which they are required to be by law.

Rules & regulations are subject to change, often times without notice.

Surfing into the hearts of thousands

SAN DIEGO, CA, June 28, 2010… Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who lives a lifestyle of helping others by ‘pawing it forward’ (aka doing good deeds for others) and who recently won 3rd place in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf competition, has reached a new milestone – 10,000 fans on Facebook!  This fan base has also helped raise almost $30,000 in donations for Ricochet’s charitable causes!

Ricochet started her Facebook page Facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet in December of 2009, to help raise awareness and funds for her charities.  Now, just six months later, she’s reached the 10,000 fan mark and that number continues to increase daily.

Many people join Ricochet’s Facebook page after watching her inspirational YouTube video nearing 2.5 million views, “From service dog to SURFice dog” below. They often leave comments such as “I watched the video and couldn’t stop crying! She’s so inspiring, so amazing!”, or “Wow! After my tears dried I couldn’t wait to learn more about you and all that you do. You’re one of a kind!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Although folks join Ricochet’s page as “Fans”, they quickly become much more than that.  They share a connection… a common bond, which deepens the relationship to one of mutual support, inspiration and friendship.  Her 10,000th fan, Rosemary Catherine is the epitome of this shared connection, as both she and Ricochet support “Surfers Healing”, an organization that exposes autistic children to the unique experience of surfing.

Another fan, Lara Davis who is studying to be a teacher for children with special needs shared the 10,000th celebration by saying “I was truly touched (and in tears!) I love the message and the outreach efforts ricochet puts fourth. I’ve always thought animals such as Ricochet could make a big difference in the lives of children”.

Reaching this key milestone demonstrates how much Ricochet’s worldwide community supports her efforts.  Her supporters have helped her raise awareness and funds… to the tune of almost $30,000 for both human and animal causes!  In fact, two fund-raising campaigns were funded almost entirely by her Facebook supporters.  A canine cancer walk garnered $1820 in donations, and an arthritis walk raised over $5580 in donations.

Ricochet sincerely thanks each and every one of her supporters, and looks forward to a continued relationship of actively engaging them in Facebook conversations, while providing them with updates featuring her day-to-day activities, fund-raising efforts, causes, events, news, photos, videos, articles, and FUN!  She is currently fund-raising for Helen Woodward Animal Center’s orphaned animals, and anticipates another successful outcome with the help of her amazing supporters!

For more information on Ricochet and her wonderful causes and team, visit her website at SurfdogRicochet.com or on Facebook & Twitter under “Surf Dog Ricochet”

Photos courtesy of SurfdogRicochet.com & EppicSurf.com/Diane Edmonds. Video courtesy of Judy Fridono & Copyrighted by SurfDogRicochet.com

Local celebri-dogs Ricochet & Kalani hang 40

San Diego is once again host to the Western Regional Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Competition, and it’s coming THIS weekend to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach! You can catch all the action live, before the winners continue on to the National Finals in October…

Events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds will include dog diving, freestyle flying disc, head-to-head weave poles, agility, and Jack Russell hurdle racing.  In its second year, the surf dog competition event brings all the fur-tastic action to Ocean Beach Dog Beach.  If you didn’t make it to the Loews Surf Dog Contest last month, (which made news as far away as Japan & New Zealand) this is your chance to see some phenomenal SoCal athletes ‘hang 20′!

Just in time for the upcoming World Cup, a special ’soccer dog’ exhibition match will be held between the champion indoor soccer team San Diego Sockers and the ruff Soccer Collies.  The age old question, “Does having four legs give a player an unfair advantage?” will at last be answered…

Most of the contests are by invitation, so only top dogs in their respective fields will be participating. San Diego is a mecca for competitive athletes, and these hot dogs are no exception. Local and regional favorites, as well as first-time underdogs, will all be looking for a chance to have their names barked into the Incredible Dog Hall of Fame!

Schedule of Events

Friday – June 11, 2010
Ocean Beach – Dog Beach
8 a.m – Registration
9 a.m – Small Dog Surf Contest
9:30 a.m – Big Dog Surf Contest
10:30 a.m – Awards

Del Mar Fairgrounds
9 a.m – Qualifying Sign-Up and Registration
10:30 a.m – Diving Dog Qualifying
11:30 a.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Qualifying
2 p.m – Soccer Collies Exhibition
3:15 p.m – Jack Russell Hurdle Racing Practice
3:45 p.m – Diving Dog Practice
4:30 p.m – Agility Practice
5:30 p.m – Weave Up-and-Back 30 Practice
6 p.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Practice

Saturday – June 12, 2010 Del Mar Fairgrounds
11 a.m – Diving Dog Warm-up
11:20 a.m – Agility Forerunners
11:25 a.m – National Anthem
11:30 a.m – Agility Competition
12:30 p.m – Diving Dog Competition
1:15 p.m – Jack Russell Hurdle Racing Competition
2 p.m – Soccer Collies Exhibition
2:30 p.m – Weave Up-and-Back 30 Competition
3 p.m – Freestyle Flying Disc Competition

Times & events may be suybject to change

See Spot Run Surf!

This past weekend brave dogs hit the heavy surf to hang twenty for a good cause at Loews Resort Surf Dog Competition. Here’s some of the action featuring our favorite Golden Retreivers Ricochet & Kalani, Bobby Gorgeous the petite Pomeranian, Abbie Girl and more…

Some serious surf hounds are slated to hit the waves Saturday, May 22nd, in Imperial Beach for the 5th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition.

“Slap me sum paw, I ain’t no drooling kook!”

With tails held high and paws waxed just so, dozens of brave canines will take their turn on the line to the delight of fans from far and wide. Meanwhile on the beach, waiting riders will get a chance to  sniff out  the competition and bark up the judges…

You won’t want to miss an event so hot, that it was featured on TMZ.com! We also hear that competitors will be eligible to attend the official premier of ‘Marmaduke’ (yes, the new movie coming out!) Now that’s something to bark about!

Check out these wave riding hot dogs… Pawabunga!!

This year, proceeds from the competition will benefit the San Diego Police Department Canine Unit through the San Diego Police Foundation.

When: Saturday, May 22, 2010   From 11 a.m – 2 p.m.

Where: Dunes Park & Beach – 700 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, Ca 91932

Editors Note: SanDiegoSunCoast.com adores Loews for their “Loews Loves Pets” program at their fabulous Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the plush resort with a big heart! Where else can pups get their own take home bowl & healthy treats? Loews ‘Good Neighbor Policy’ has been awarded the President’s Service Award, the highest honor given by the President of the United States for community service!

Last years ruff riding winners were:

Category One: [Small 40 pounds & under]
1st Place: Buddy, a Jack Russell Terrier

Category Two: [Large 41 pounds & over]
1st Place: Kalani, a Golden Retriever

Category Three: Tandem Surfing [dogs & humans]
1st Place: Zoey, a Jack Russell Terrier, and his owners Scott and Tyler Chandler

For all the furry details & more great surf dog photos, check out Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition blog!

All photos courtesy of LoewsSurfdog.blogspot.com | Loews Coronado Bay Resort

Every now and again, one comes across a spark of life that imprints its glow upon us for a lifetime.

This is the story of one such spark…

While walking along the beach in Cardiff last winter, I witness something rather curious. A group of people and a surfer were in the waves, in what appeared to be a huddle. Being a curious person, (after all I am a redhead) I did the polite thing. I came to a dead standstill and I stared at the commotion that was slowly surfing its way to the shore.

Much to my surprise, the group of people parted and a boy lay upon the surfboard, with a soggy dog standing on the board behind him. Another fellow was taking pictures, and it seemed everyone was laughing and having a grand time. Including the soggy dog.

From the vicinity of the parking lot, a person pushing a kind of wheelchair headed for the group, also wearing a broad smile. The boy was then lifted off of the surfboard, and onto the wheel chair. He was smiling the broadest smile of all.

Mission accomplished, the soggy dog took off on a full tilt run, chasing birds up and down the beach, through the waves, and along the surf break. Everyone was smiling and talking, as they watched the soggy dog race through the waves with the wind under her tail. That was the day I first saw Ricochet…

Photograph & Video by Judy Fridono

Slater explores his sensitive side…

Happy Easter from us to you!

Liberty Station is going to the dogs…

This Sunday [Feb. 28th] from 9 am to 4 pm in NTC Park, over 35 different shelters and rescue organizations will come together for the Doggie Street Festival, helping animals in need of a good home.  The Festival is dedicated to increasing public awareness of pet homelessness, as well as educating the public on issues pertaining to animal safety, health and responsible pet ownership.  The event is free and open to the public, and will include entertainment, obedience and fitness demonstrations.  Also featured will be local pet-centric companies, such as Leash Your Fitness, Wag’n Tails, Muttique, Dogs and the City Daycare & Spa, and many others devoted to pet care, health and well being.

Here’s the scoop…

Are you looking to adopt a new family member? In search of resources to better take care of your present dog?  There’s no better place to start looking than this one-stop shop & extravaganza!

Many rescue groups in attendance will be breed specific, including those devoted to Dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, Coonhounds, Labradors, Bulldogs, Pugs, and harder to place breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers & Pit Bulls.

The Doggie Street Festival was created out of local film-maker Jude Artenstein’s personal mission. While researching for a documentary titled ‘Rescue Me’, she saw that the already large problem of abandoned and neglected pets was growing rapidly, an additional casualty of our depressed economy.  No longer simply an issue of neglect, dogs are now being displaced along with their owners as job losses and foreclosures rise.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the groups working within San Diego and surrounding areas to find happy homes for dogs of all kinds.  Even if you’re not looking for an addition to your family, this is a great chance to meet the people behind the scenes!

“To stay in the house on Turkey Day, you gotta smell good…

I use Sexiest Fantasies ‘Va Va Voom’ scent. Spray some on your collar or kerchief, and you’ll be rolling in handouts…  All day long!”

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Grooming by Rancho Solana Pet Spa in Solana Beach