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<\/p>\nThe Downtown Long Beach Business Association (DLBA) has organized a veritable Taste of Long Beach for the canine set and their human companions. It\u2019s called Dogs of Downtown, and it\u2019s scheduled for Saturday, September 12, from 11:00AM to 3:00PM on the Promenade between Broadway and Third Street.<\/p>\n
This is the DLBA\u2019s first event that\u2019s dedicated to dogs, and the event\u2019s organizer hopes to make it one of connection through both activities and food\u2014something dear to the hearts and taste buds of both pets and people. The event\u2019s name is a spin-off from the DLBA\u2019s Taste of Downtown event because of a unique twist: The DLBA has invited a number of downtown Long Beach eateries to create tasting items that will be good as well as good for both pets and people. Holding the treat pouches will be Beechwood BBQ & Brewing, Pier 76 Fish Grill, Michael\u2019s Pizzeria, BO-Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap and the Auld Dubliner. Check the menu for details.<\/p>\n
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In the spirit, so to speak, of toasting the eternal bond between human and canine, Beachwood BBQ has created an IPA with the whimsical name of Hop Kong Fooey. Beachwood\u2019s creative and marketing manager Aaron Carroll describes the brew as \u201clively and hoppy, with Simcoe and Equinox hops contributing intense aromas and flavors of citrus and tropical fruits.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also participating will be PJ\u2019s Pet Caf\u00e9<\/a>, a delightful little East Village secret that really shouldn\u2019t be one. The caf\u00e9 bakes treats and cooks up meals especially for dogs, using all-natural ingredients, and serves coffee and lemonade to the human companions. No word on whether you\u2019ll be able to take home a doggie bag.<\/p>\n The event will also feature an agility course, a pet photo booth and on-site groomers. Downtown Long Beach pet businesses Pussy and Pooch, Bark Bark Daycare and Grooming, Soggy Dog Grooming and Pet Supplies, Pine Animal Hospital and the recently opened grooming salon, Pawsitively Long Beach, will provide booths to offer everything from treats to tips. Long Beach Gypsy jazz band Hedgehog Swing<\/a> and the L.A. string band Get Down Boys<\/a>, whose name also lends itself to both human and canine interpretation, will provide pleasant sounds on each end of the Promenade.<\/p>\n There will be tables featuring spcaLA<\/a> and the grassroots nonprofit Fix Long Beach<\/a>, which offers free spay\/neuter procedures and low-cost vaccines to low-income Long Beach residents. Guide Dogs for the Blind <\/a>(GDF), which will benefit from the event, will also be present.<\/p>\n \u201cGDB and our alumni chapter, Paws of Fame Los Angeles<\/a>, are thrilled to be part of the inaugural Dogs of Downtown event,\u201d said GDB graduate and Paws of Fame president Melissa Hudson. \u201cThis is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the dog-loving public and increase awareness of GDB\u2019s life-changing mission, namely to provide highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision.\u201d<\/p>\n And if you don\u2019t have a dog or want a companion for yours, Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a> will bring along several candidates (see Thursday\u2019s Pet Projects for head shots).<\/p>\n The idea for Dogs of Downtown came out of a conversation between DLBA\u2019S marketing and special events manager Gina Dartt, and Beachwood BBQ owner Gabe Gordon. Gordon had previously introduced Dartt to Hudson and was looking for a way to support their work.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to help out too, but at the same time, I was also looking for a way to promote pet-friendly Downtown Long Beach,\u201d Dartt said. \u201cWe have so many great pet-friendly businesses, restaurants with pet-friendly patios, dog parks\u2014we’ve installed mutt mitt stations<\/a> [poop-bag dispensers]\u2014and many of our residents are dog owners or looking to be dog owners. I thought Dogs of Downtown could accomplish both!\u201d<\/p>\n