Your dog can help heat up your social life in the Bay Area, even when the occasional bank of summer fog rolls in.
Just follow his lead to find new friends, or even new loves, who share your passion for pooches. Your perfect people companions must dig both you and your dog, right? So skip the bars, the speed dating, and those painful blind dates. Instead, sniff out some dog-friendly online destinations to find Ms. or Mr. Right, or to hook up with non-romantic companions for a super-fun summer.
Head for the Hills
The Sierra Club offers Canine Hikes specifically for people and dogs to enjoy and explore the outdoors together. They’re a great way for you and your pooch to meet new friends and get some exercise. The Sierra Club website has listings of canine hikes scheduled for Spring/Summer 2009, organized by specific area.
San Francisco and Peninsula
http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/hiking/LstDog.htm
East Bay
http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/hiking/LstEB.htm
Marin
http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/hiking/LstEB.htm
Learn Your Lessons
Old dogs can definitely learn new tricks, or at least brush up on their manners. Classes are a fun way to break bad habits, learn basic training tips, and meet other dogs and their people. Check out your local humane organization for everything from basic training to advanced “rally” or agility classes (see the list on page 21 for a list of local groups). There are also plenty of private companies and individuals that offer dog training classes in the Bay Area, so let Google help you seek them out.
Run with the Pack
It’s a blast to join neighborhood dogs and their people for special canine events. Start by checking out your local dog park, or explore parks all over the city to find the right mix of dog friends. You can also seek out social clubs online that organize active outings of all kinds – you’ll find groups for specific breeds, neighborhoods, and even activities.
Begin your search at Meetup.com. The Bay Area is packed with dog-related meetup options, from advanced canine hiking groups to casual small dog hangouts. Search by zip code, narrow your preferences, and/or browse them all. (WoofReport.com lists Bay Area meetups and dog groups on their site, too.)
Love Me, Love my Dog
Get a new leash on life and love with dog-friendly web dating sites. Sometimes slightly silly, these websites don’t take themselves too seriously. To join the fun, just log on, create a profile for you and your dog, and book your calendar with pup play dates in your area. You can search by location, age range – all the sorting standbys from other dating sites, with one big furry difference: Dogs are most definitely invited.
Date My Pet
At Date My Pet, you can flirt, chat, and connect with other pet people. Send “virtual kisses” and offer a “cute rating” for listed pets, even pick up tips from dating and pet experts. Harness the power of your dog and the Internet to link you up with someone great by logging on at www.datemypet.com.
Animal Attraction
If the dating game seems meaningless to you, consider the fact that www.animalattraction.com donates $1 to a pet charity for every free registration. That’s a buck to the ASPCA, PetFinder.com, or the North Shore Animal League America when you create a dating profile for you and your pet. Then Animal Attraction donates another penny for every day you log in. You’ll find like-minded pet people, discussion forums, current “pet news” and videos, and more – all while supporting pets in need – at www.animalattraction.com.
Pitch in for Pets
The #1 way to make a difference while making new friends is volunteering at a local animal welfare organization. Shelters and rescue groups really need your help, and you’ll definitely meet other dog people in the process – some of them no doubt single, if you’re romantically inclined. Offer to groom shelter animals, help with socialization training, exercise the rescue pups, or work on event planning. In just a couple of hours, you can make a dog’s day and make some new friends.
Visit their websites to discover the perfect volunteer opportunity for you, or call or email them for more information. For more shelter and rescue listings, stop by www.woofreport.com.
Need more volunteer ideas? Check out hundreds of listings at www.volunteerinfo.org and www.volunteermatch.org.
Have Dog, Will Mingle
The Bay Area is bursting with dog-friendly restaurants, stores, parks, and beaches. Your dog makes you oh-so approachable at these locales, since he’s simply too cute to pass by. He’s like a dating insurance policy you just can’t leave home without. For listings of dog friendly establishments, check out this top resource: www.dogfriendly.com. For Bay Area dog-friendly dining options, check out www.diningwithsophie.com/dogs/petfriendly.
When it comes to satisfying relationships, your dog knows a thing or two. Whether you’re looking for new friends or new romance, think of him as your ultimate matchmaker and watch what happens. Before long he’ll sniff out that special someone at a local dog park, coffeehouse, hiking group – or some other place where Bay Area best friends hang out together.
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