In our beautiful climate, there is rarely a day when the great outdoors doesn’t beckon. Yet this time of year is special. Many of us have more leisure hours to spend with our furry friends during the summer months, when dog-friendly outdoor events are bountiful in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To help you make the most of such occasions, Bridget Murphy leads the issue with some golden tips for off-leash fun and safety. A rock-solid reliable recall tops her list, and that’s a great training goal for any dog guardian who wants to see some major improvement in life-with-dog this season.
If you’re planning some serious off-leash time for yourself, it may involve jetting off somewhere and taking your dog along. If that’s the case, there are some serious issues to ponder and precise rules and regulations to follow. The good folks at Adobe Animal Hospital explain the details and provide sound advice here.
For many humans and dogs, summer involves sports. We have a special issue on canine athletics coming up in August but it’s not too early to launch the games. The annual Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge is already off and running. See page 12 for photos of the dock diving competition at its Eastern Regional tournament held in early April. These canine champions will dazzle your imagination and maybe even spark your interest in exploring the sport right here in the Bay Area.
As usual, there is lots of dog-related local news to report this month. We bring you up to date (at least as of press time) on the latest proposal to split Oakland Animal Services from the Police Department. Lots of folks are keen on the idea, including the Police Chief, so we can expect some big chances in the not-too-distant future.
Learn about a very positive development on the San Francisco dog rescue scene – the official renaming of one block of Alabama between 15th and 16th Streets. The new moniker, Rescue Row, reflects a true sense of collaboration between the various organizations headquartered there: the SF SPCA, Animal Care & Control, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, and Family Dog Rescue. You and your dog are invited to Rescue Row for the “grand re-opening” of the SF SPCA’s remodeled adoptions facilities on Friday, June 13. For more details, see the calendar.
Speaking of SF ACC, one particular devoted employee – who started out as a volunteer putting her compassion for animals into action – has earned the rank of Captain at the agency. Her name is Denise BonGiovanni and her story appears here. Congratulations are in order!
It’s truly inspiring to consider how important volunteers are in the lives of shelter dogs and other animals in our communities. This month’s Shelter Zone story profiles some special dog devotees at Peninsula Humane Society. We hope reading about them will inspire you to make a life-saving contribution, too.
On other fronts, don’t miss Dr. Corynn Johnson’s in-depth look at canine atopy (allergic skin reactions); Joan Mapou’s insights into the benefits of private dog walking; and Kelly Gorman Dunbar’s great column on the value of hand signals when communicating with your dog.
As previously mentioned, there are events galore in store for you and your canine companion this month and throughout the summer. Here are two excellent examples. On June 8, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter brings you the annual Wiggle Waggle Walk celebration and fundraiser. And on Saturday afternoon, June 21, Wag Hotels is hosting a fundraiser for PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) on its woof-top terrace. Full details on these and many other doggie happenings appear on our events page.
Our July issue will bring tales of working dogs to amaze and inspire you. Until then, we wish you lots of furry fun!
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