GiGi, my Belgian Malinois, wakes me up early every Sunday by poking her nose in my face. The nose says, “Get up! It’s Sunday – time to play with my puppy friends in Woofers & Walkers!”
Woofers & Walkers is a collective of responsible dog owners who just like to have fun with their dogs. Our outings include weekly walks, Doggie Drive-in, Café Canine, and other special events. Most activities are free and there is no charge for membership.
Weekly Walks
Every Sunday morning at 10:30, we meet for a one-and-a-half-hour walk, each week in a different Santa Cruz County locale, then we enjoy Yappy Hour at a dog-friendly restaurant. So far, we have changed the policies of over 20 restaurants to be dog-friendly – from taco stands to the very upscale Chaminade Resort. The walks vary, only some are off-leash, but all are in beautiful places that many dog owners did not know about previously. Once a month, we have a docent-led tour and learn about the flora and fauna or the dog history of an area.
Doggie Drive-in
The first Sunday of the month, we convene for a free movie with our dogs on the lovely patio at The Crepe Place (1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz). We eat some wonderful crepes, enjoy a full bar, and watch a film featuring dogs, all in the company of our two- and four-legged friends.
Café Canine
Enjoy free live acoustic music with your dog! We have had some great local musicians play for us, such as Rhan Wilson, who wrote and performed a very funny song, “Lickin,” about that sound we dog lovers hear all day and night. Café Canine happens the second Tuesday of the month at The Crepe Place.
Special Events
Burning Dog!
June 11-14, 2010. Join us for four days and three nights of camping with your dog in Big Sur! Planned activities include hikes to the beach and waterfalls, art projects with our dogs, an agility course, BBQs, campfires, music and much more. Side trips to the Esalen hot tubs and Hearst Castle are also offered.
Rails & Tails
This three-hour round trip in an open train car from the beach to the redwoods is a blast! Last year we had over 80 dogs and their people take the ride. When: July 11.
The Woofy Awards
Where does your dog like to “woof” in Santa Cruz? Folks vote online for your favorite dog-friendly business, services, places to walk, places to eat, etc. each December. Check www.woofersandwalkers.com for the most recent winners.
We are planning many more fun events for 2010, including kayaking, sailing, and wine tasting with our dogs. We’d love to have you join us!
Whitney Wilde and her Malinois, GiGi, are Pack Leaders for Woofers & Walkers. They live in a paradise called Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz with two parakeets, Bubble and Squeak.
Help Create a Dog-Friendly Downtown Santa Cruz
Should Downtown Santa Cruz go to the dogs? The Santa Cruz Downtown Association just voted “yes” to asking the City Council to lift the ban. The Council will begin discussing the issue on April 6 and is likely to “study” it for at least two months.
You can add your two-woofs-worth to the debate by following the petition link at www.woofersandwalkers.com, or emailing citycouncil@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us.
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