{"id":4357,"date":"2012-08-23T18:06:13","date_gmt":"2012-08-23T18:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/pick-of-the-litter-rosie-s-dog-beach-selected-as-best-dog-park\/"},"modified":"2012-08-23T18:06:13","modified_gmt":"2012-08-23T18:06:13","slug":"pick-of-the-litter-rosie-s-dog-beach-selected-as-best-dog-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/pick-of-the-litter-rosie-s-dog-beach-selected-as-best-dog-park","title":{"rendered":"Pick of the Litter: Rosie\u2019s Dog Beach Selected as Best Dog Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dog parks and beaches are good things to have. Your dog gets exercise, and so do you (me, I have cats, and so I drag myself to the gym to avoid emulating the way they exercise\u201410 minutes of chasing a shredded-up felt mouse followed by five hours of napping).<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve just returned from an extended vacation that comprised Cheyenne and Seattle, two cities that couldn\u2019t be further apart in exercise options. Seattle has more dog parks than we do here, including a couple of beaches. Cheyenne has one actual park and, of course, no beaches at all.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re more like Seattle in that we have a ton of options for our pets, particularly dogs. Unlike Seattle, our climate\u2019s considerably warmer, and our beaches aren\u2019t strewn with rocks and pebbles that pain the paw. The winner of the Pet Post Pick of the Litter Poll has selected a beach as the Best Dog Park, and of course, you know which one\u2014Rosie\u2019s Dog Beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rosie\u2019s, which is celebrating its 11th<\/sup> year, is located on your GPS device at 5000 E. Ocean Blvd at the water between Roycroft and Argonne avenues, a few blocks east of the Belmont Pier and Olympic pool. Making the full-time off-leash dog beach was a labor of love\u2014the entire process took three years and a lot of yapping from all sides\u2014of Belmont Shore \u00fcbermakher <\/em>Justin Rudd, whose beloved bulldog, Rosie, loved the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hosted about 20 consecutive one-afternoon off-leash dog beach events, which proved to city officials that a dog beach was wanted and would be safe,\u201d Rudd said. At these events, Rudd collected e-mail addresses of interested owners (and lovers) of dogs and campaigned online for them write notes to city officials. After fielding concerns and complaints from people opposing the beach and receiving permission for a 15-month pilot program, barkers took to the beach on June 24, 2001, with Rosie leading the pack as she streaked toward the surf on her stumpy little legs and Phelpsed through the waves.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

The city council unanimously approved making the Dog Zone permanent, and the beach is now a full-fledged off-leash dog beach from 6AM to 8PM. It was renamed Rosie’s Dog Beach after Rosie passed away on Jan. 24, 2010 after Millero took the renaming proposal to the city, with full approval of his partner. The signage now commemorates Rosie and her saucy spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m honored and humbled each day when I\u2019m on my five-mile run past Rosie\u2019s and I see the big photo of her and the name Rosie\u2019s Dog Beach<\/em> on the sign at the parking lot,\u201d Rudd said. Rudd and Millero take Rosie\u2019s little \u201cbrother,\u201d Riley, to Rosie\u2019s a few times a month but said that he doesn\u2019t take to the sea the way his sister did. \u201cRosie could not get enough of it,\u201d Rudd said.<\/p>\n

Neither can a good number of other dogs and their people. When I went to Rosie\u2019s to take photos, the beach was crowed despite it being a weekday midmorning. Jerry Teigen spends a good deal of his time in South America and frequently comes from Los Angeles to the beach with his dogs, Libero and Akela. He waxed fervently and eloquently about the dog beach\u2019s sandy charms.<\/p>\n

\"guys<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is like being at Ipanema Beach!\u201d Teigen rhapsodized, and he didn\u2019t seem to be kidding. \u201cPretty islands [the man-made oil ones], a view of the city, people are nice and we can go to Second Street after.\u201d<\/p>\n

People coming to the beach must be fully responsible for their pets. Dogs are to be leashed outside the cone zone, one animal is allowed per human guest, all pets must be vaccinated and wearing ID, and of course, animal waste must be picked up and disposed of properly (a full text of the dog beach laws are available on the dog beach’s website<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"Leash\"<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing with rules is some people naturally abide by them. I\u2019d do it anyway\u2014no problem,\u201d said Alex Carmel, who came to the beach with her dog, Nani. And most people do\u2014the sand was clean of dog waste (although I can\u2019t say the same for human litter), and most people led in their dogs on leashes, although I saw one scofflaw. Rudd said that there have been issues with such things as having food on the dog beach, people bringing more than one dog, and the occasional aggressive dog, which is verboten <\/em>for the same reason that troublesome patrons are allegedly being banned from bars. It\u2019s all Rosie, but not all rosy all the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, those issues are minimal, and hundreds of happy dogs and owners enjoy the dog beach on a daily basis,\u201d Rudd said. \u201cI\u2019m thankful to folks that also help to pick up trash that washes ashore each day and thankful to all the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup volunteers who help pick up trash in and around Rosie\u2019s on a monthly basis.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are no big future plans for Rosie\u2019s, although Rudd would like to extend the boundaries of the off-leash area to lessen the impact of crowds on hot summer afternoons. He was pleased at the response from everyone who enjoys Rosie’s Dog Beach, including Pet Post readers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a true privilege to have Rosie\u2019s in our own backyard,\u201d he said. \u201cWeekly, folks stop to say thanks for the dog beach. It\u2019s by far the most popular place on the Long Beach\u2019s four miles of Pacific coastline year round. Both dogs and people are smiling when they visit Rosie\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rosie<\/p>\n

\n

Rub it in, rub it in
Rub it in, rub it in
I feel the tingle begin
You’re gettin’ under my skin
Rub it in, rub it in<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

~\u201dRub It In,\u201d various artists, written by Layng Martine<\/em> <\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

9 Lives for $9!<\/strong><\/p>\n

This project, sponsored by FoundAnimals.org, has been doing a great job in making adult cats available to loving homes. Summer\u2019s nearly over, but I can guarantee you that the shelters won\u2019t be running out of adult cats for a long time. During August, at the low fee of $9, you can adopt one of the many adult cats in shelters in Long Beach, the city of Los Angeles, and L.A.County. All of the cats have been altered, vaccinated and microchipped and may be seen on the program\u2019s website<\/a>. Click the link above and chose your new BFF, or check out the candidates below from Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach 90815 (The full adoption process will be adhered to with this program.)<\/p>\n

Here are a couple of candidates:<\/p>\n

\"TAbby<\/p>\n

Tabby Wabby<\/em><\/p>\n

Rescue this beautiful cat from a terminally adorable name. She\u2019s three years old and has been spayed. Ask for ID#A474676.<\/p>\n

\"tabby\"<\/p>\n

\"hope<\/p>\n

Last I looked, this guy hadn\u2019t been named, but he resembles someone and I\u2019ve been frustrating myself trying to figure out whom. I got such suggestions as James Bond (my former cowriter, Judy Crumpton), Willie Nelson, Joan Rivers (post face lift), Uma Thurman and Bob Hope. My friend Jim Dawson (Google his books\u2014he\u2019s somewhat of a wag, pun intended) suggested he be named Tabby Hunter. Whatever\u2014what do you think? Anyway, check out the above head shot (the one on top; the other two are unavailable for different reasons), fill out the forms, plunk down $9, and give this craggy three-year-old a name and a loving forever home. Ask for ID ID#A474071.<\/p>\n

\"\"
<\/strong>Rusty<\/em><\/em>
<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
<\/strong>Cameron<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Maggie\"
<\/strong>Maggie<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Ma Barker and Her Gang<\/strong><\/p>\n

These three babies have a history. The three of them were loose in a Long Beach neighborhood, and a concerned neighbor mobilized other residents to provide food, blankets, and water holders in an effort to win the group\u2019s trust. Finally, after eight days of fruitless attempts, the pooches were caught and were taken to ACS. Their names are now Cameron, a white Chihuahua mix, ID 12-05331; Rusty, a Jack Russell mix, ID 12-05329 and Maggie, a Jack Russell\/corgi mix, IDA473788. They\u2019re all waiting, spayed\/neutered and healthy\u2014the boys at the spcaLA side of the Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Maggie at ACS. Need a little friend?<\/p>\n

Animal Care Services<\/a> and spcaLA<\/a> are both located at 7700 E. Spring St. in Long Beach, near El Dorado Park.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Breaking Pet-Lines<\/h3>\n

\"Bixby1\"
<\/strong>Bixby<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Baby Shower<\/strong><\/p>\n

And this shower was plenty wet. The Aquarium of the Pacific proudly presented the first harbor seal pup born into the Seal and Lion Habitat. Dubbed Bixby, he was born to proud parents Shelby and Troy(no last name given) on April 26. The pup\u2019s name was suggested by city of Long Beach employee Marina Ohlson Smorick in honor of the first Long Beach Bixby\u2014its founder, Jotham Bixby. The name was selected by vote from a number of submissions.<\/p>\n

I tried snapping a few shots with my trusty camera that I\u2019ve owned for five years and still don\u2019t know how to maneuver through the settings\u2014better ones are available here<\/a>. Bixby was having fun investigating the filtering pipes and swimming from one end of the exhibit to the other while his \u201caunties,\u201d as staff member Ellie called him, nudged him and sniffed him and poked him attentively. As they say, it takes a habitat.<\/p>\n

The Mechanics of Generosity<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Aug. 6, the founders of Homeless with Dogs<\/a> (HWD)\u2014Patricia Zaid, Liz Reyes and Chad Robbins (who couldn\u2019t attend)\u2014received a check for $1,014 from Orozco\u2019s Auto Service at their facility at 3619 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach. In attendance were 7th<\/sup> District City Councilmember James Johnson; Daniel Brezenoff, legislative director from 1st<\/sup> District Councilmember Robert Garcia\u2019s office; Julie Fogg of Bixby Toastmasters; and the entire Orozco family.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

From left: James Johnson, Servando Orozco, Kenya Orozco, Patricia Zaid, Liz Reyes and family member, and Daniel Brezenoff<\/em><\/p>\n

Servando Orozco, the head CEO of Orozco\u2019s, had approached the mayor\u2019s office for a worthy organization to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our responsibility to create awareness of the community,\u201d Orozco said.<\/p>\n

Orozco was directed to the office of Councilmember Garcia. Brezenoff directed him to HWD, an organization that was featured awhile back in Pet Post<\/a>. HWD assists homeless people by seeking donors for food for both cats and dogs and distributing it to the owners. To date, they\u2019ve provided over 16,000 meals for pets. The check they received was a result of a June\/July fundraiser that involved giving $42, the price of an oil change (or an amount deducted from repairs) to HWD.<\/p>\n

Besides the check, HWD and Orozco\u2019s were presented with certificates from the city of Long Beach and the offices of councilmembers Garcia and Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time something good happens in the city, you can bet that Servando\u2019s behind it,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

New Veterinary Opens on Lakewood<\/strong><\/p>\n

The more pets adopted, the more will need care. Primary Care Animal Hospital has just opened its doors at 2200 N.   Lakewood Blvd(Stearns and Lakewood). One person who toured the facility reported state-of-the-art equipment, friendly staff and doctors who all live in Long Beach. They\u2019re offering a free initial exam for a limited time. Their Facebook page<\/a> gives their hours as 9AM to 10PM seven days a week. Call (562) 274-7776 for appointments.<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

We Harte BARK, Saturday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.\u201312:30 p.m., Bret Harte Library, 1595 W. Willow   St., Long Beach 90810<\/strong><\/p>\n

Join Councilmember James Johnson for this event that henceforth will be held every fourth Saturday of the month. The 7th District Councilmember has partnered up with BARK<\/a> (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) to provide children with the opportunity to read aloud to friendly and attentive dogs. Founded in 2007, BARK is a volunteer program that encourages young people to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Certain children may find it intimidating to read in front of classmates, but with the help of BARK, they can increase their reading skills, self-confidence and class participation. Bring your family, and BARK will provide the dogs! (Do not bring your own!) For more information, contact the7th District Council Office at (562) 570-7777 or district7@longbeach.gov<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

BARK for the Body Shop, through Aug. 24, 5013 E. 2nd<\/sup>   St., Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Body Shop is teaming up with the all-volunteer nonprofit BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids), to help collect books for children who will read them to the BARK dogs. Anytime during August, drop off new or gently used picture books (dog related are best!), dog beanie babies or dog stickers and receive a Night of Beauty on Friday, Aug. 24, from 6:30 to 8PM with free makeovers, skin-care consultations and a small gift. BARK has 115 dog-handler teams in 90 elementary schools and libraries in Southern California. Donated books will be given to children who read to the dogs.<\/p>\n

Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals, Saturday, Oct. 13, 9AN\u20133PM, El Dorado Regional Park Archery Range, 7550 Spring Street at the 605 Freeway, Long Beach. Parking: $7.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Registration is now open for this annual Friends of Long Beach Animals event, presented by the Petco Foundation. WALK participants can strut their stuff for their Long Beach shelter counterparts and have a chance at winning great prizes! Participants and spectators will also enjoy exhibits, activities for kids, food trucks, vendors, judged pet\/owner contests, canine demonstrations by So Cal Disc Dogs and Surf City Fly Ball demonstrations, and entertainment. Preregistration includes the $7 parking fee. You can register or donate here<\/a>. All funds raised go toward low-cost spay\/neuter and humane education. Bring your pet or come alone and enjoy this great annual event!<\/p>\n

Donations Needed for Animal Care Services, Pitchford Animal Companion Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-PETS<\/strong><\/p>\n

ACS thanks everyone who provided donations for their wish list! The list has been further winnowed down; if you feel generous or just have any of the following items around your house, bring them to the shelter (and take home a pet, if you are so inclined!).<\/p>\n