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Upcoming Events
Sat., June 4, 2011, 11a.m.--
6th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, to benefit Loews Hotel's Partner, DonorsChoose.org for San Diego County schools, at Dunes Beach, 700 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach
http://www.loewssurfdog.com
Sat., June 11, 2011, 4 to 7 p.m.--
Fiesta del Paws 2011, by PAWS San Diego County, Inc. to benefit at-risk animals and the people who love & need them, 1048 Myrtle Way, adjoining Balboa Park. Tickets start at $85
http://www.pawssdc.org
Sat., June 25, 2011, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 32nd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival, by the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association to help fund the July 4th OB Pier Fireworks, on Newport Avenue from Sunset Cliffs Blvd. to the Pacific Ocean
Best to leave your dog at home. The crowds, heat and noise may cause dogs too much stress.
http://oceanbeachsandiego.com/ob-street-fair
Sat., July 16, 2011, 8 a.m.-12 Noon, Hounds for Hope Walk - A Canine Cancer Awareness and Wellness Festival, by Labrador Harbor Inc., Dusty Rhodes Park in Ocean Beach. Registration is $20 per participant
http://www.labradorharbor.org
Sat., July 23, 2011, 10 a.m. --Bark for Life: A Canine Event to Fight Cancer, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Dusty Rhodes Park, Sunset Cliffs Blvd. between Nimitz & West Pt. Loma Blvd.
http://bit.ly/eZFaR3
Sun., July 31, 2011, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.--San Diego's 3rd Annual Doggie Street Festival, Preble Field at Liberty Station, Point Loma, with dog adoptions, fun and entertainment
http://bit.ly/hpChNM
Sat., August 13,2011, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.--Dog Days of Summer Canine Festival & Contest, by Cardiff 101 MainStreet, at Aberdeen Dr. & Newcastle Ave. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
http://bit.ly/lGMbN8
Sun., Sept. 11, 2011, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.--6th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, for the Helen Woodward Animal Center, at Dog Beach, Del Mar. Dog Surfing Clinics offered March through August
http://www.surfdog.kintera.org
Sun., Oct. 23, 2011, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.--6th Annual Kiwanis Club's Ocean Beach Canine Carnival & Doggie Costume Parade (1:30-2:30 p.m.), Dusty Rhodes Park at Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and Nimitz Blvd.
http://oceanbeachkiwanis.org/
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Here Comes Summer!
Summer is a wonderful time for you and your dog to spend more time outside exercising and having fun.
Hot weather and outdoor activities can bring problems for dogs too, such as heat stroke, sunburn, drowning, and dehydration, all of which can be prevented. Here are some helpful tips to make your summer safe and fun.
There are some great dog surfing contests coming up, but whether you compete or just enjoy sharing a boogie board with your pooch in the ocean, a wet suit can provide positive buoyancy and warmth. Yvonne Cruz, of Surf'n Sea Custom Wetsuits http://surfnseacustomwetsuits.com/
can offer the perfect snug fit for you or your dog with a wet suit in a variety of colors, built-in nylon harness, and reflective band for greater visibility. Her shop has provided alterations and repairs of wetsuits in Ocean Beach since 1954.
If you're boating or kayaking, or just playing fetch in the water, a pet life jacket is an important safety item. While most dogs can swim, they can tire very quickly, and high surf or rip currents can carry them away from you.
If your dogs are shy about the ocean, let them wade calmly in the river. The San Diego River outlet at Dog Beach just received an "A" grade in dry weather conditions by Heal The Bay in its May 25, 2011 Report Card http://brc.healthebay.org/# Dogs are more likely to go in the water if you go in first, support them while they try to doggie paddle, and then lead them back safely to shore.
Bring fresh clean water along for your dogs to drink. If they drink too much salt water, vomiting or diarrhea will soon follow, along with dehydration.
Avoid long walks and strenuous exercise on hot, sunny days. Dogs can get sunburned, especially on their noses and ears. They can also become overheated and suffer heat stroke. And never leave your dog unattended in the car on warm days, not even "just for a minute." In 80F degree temperatures, your car can heat up to 120F degrees in a few minutes even with the windows cracked. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, you need immediate Vet attention. If you see a dog (or a child) in a locked car that may be over heated, please contact the police or Animal Services.
Some signs of heat stroke in dogs include body temperatures of 104-110F degrees, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death. Brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed breeds), large heavy-coated breeds, and dogs with heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.
Dog Beach Dog Wash is featuring a new product, Too  Hot for Spot window cling thermometers, to raise awareness of dog car/truck safety. They provide instant feedback on the interior temperature of your car and make others aware of the dangers of leaving their dog inside a vehicle.
If your dog has become over heated, cool it with spritzes of cool (not cold) water, wet towels, and turn on the air conditioning on your way to the Vet.
Your dogs may have fun cooling off in the summer with a kiddie pool, or freeze home-made popsicles, using a yogurt container, tupperware bowl, or Kong toy. Fill it with low-sodium beef or chicken stock, almond or coconut milk, and add pieces of fruit (apples, berries, bananas), kibble, spoonful size low-fat peanut butter. Watch the tails wag when these treats come out of the freezer.
And one last suggestion for helping your dog have a glorious and safe summer: Leave your dog at home when going to large street fairs, picnics, or fireworks shows. Large crowds can overwhelm dogs, as can the noise. Toxic food and trash on the ground can be ingested and cause stomach upsets. And the threatening noise of fireworks can frighten dogs and cause them to run away and become injured.
If you have other suggestions for fun things to do in the summer with your dogs we'd love to hear about them. In addition to a large variety of floating toys for your dogs to enjoy, we have items to help keep your dogs safe this summer such as sun screen, pet life jackets, treats to freeze, the car thermometer mentioned above, and lots of calming treats to reduce canine stress on the 4th of July.
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Treat Your Dog in June - & all summer long to a free, fun and refreshing "ready to freeze" treat. Mr. Barksmith's Cool Treats come in Fruit Delight (a delicious blend of apples, pear and banana puree) or Peanut Butter (with apples and bananas) flavor. Each smoothie cup is 33 calories and is made in the USA with all-natural human grade ingredients. They come 6 treat cups in a box for $5.95. Just mention "Mr. Barksmith" to any of our staff during the month of June and your dog will be rewarded with a free smoothie Cool Treat for you to take home, freeze and enjoy later. Or enjoy the melted treat now! |
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Have a safe and happy summer. Again this year we'll be serving our famous tart lemonade the weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day (we close at 1 p.m.), and Labor Day, so please stop by with friends and family and share a drink with us.
Mindy & Jane (and Juno, Chipper & Zydeco) Dog Beach Dog Wash |
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