6:00am | Inspired (and a little jealous that we hadn’t thought of it first) by Brian Addison’s informal poll for the “Best Of” categories all over town, we are submitting our own. We’ll give it a few weeks and then announce the winners. Note that this will also be an opportunity for readers to share information about great things for beloved animals.

Here are the cat- and dog-egories:

Best Vet
No matter the size or species, a pet’s health is foremost to consider. Which animal doctor combines examining tableside manner and effectiveness?

Best Dog Park
Dogs have got it all in Long Beach when it comes to recreation (the cat and the rabbit would prefer to stay at home). We have our own dog beach and a growing number of bark parks. Where do you and the dog like to go to enjoy a clean, safe place to play?

Best Patio Dining
We like the rare sight of a pet curled up next to the patio gate while his or her owner eats lunch or one who’s smiling, drooling and begging for a treat. Do you take your doggie out to dine? Where’s the best place to go where the dog can lie near you without having his tail stepped on by a passerby?

Best Pet Boutique
For artisan pet treats, designer duds and beds that rival Duxiana, little shoppes that carry bibelots and lagniappes for the fussy canine or feline human companion are the place to go. Where do you buy your dog an outfit that matches yours and caviar for the cat?

Best Pet-Supply Store
Ya gotta have litter and rabbit chews, and you need to stock up on stuff for emergencies. Most of us go to the corporate big boxes for pet supplies, and a number of these outlets have been generous sponsors of animal events. Which one do you make your weekly stop at?

Best Groomers
Who in town does the best job of making a coarse coat feel like a cloud and making its wearer feel as comfortable as possible with the whole procedure? List your choice!

Best Pet-Friendly Hotel
Say you have guests visiting and they decide to bring their dog, but the cat objects. Worse yet, you’re having your place tented, and you can’t find anyone who will take both you and the selfsame cat. Which hotel in town would you recommend or patronize?

Best Daycare/Boarder
Then there are the times that the pet has to stay at a hotel by himself or herself. Who will best cater to the cat, defer to the dog and stave off stress for you? 

Best Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
Then there’s the dog who has to stay at home and the cat who, as we constantly note, really wants to. Who’s the most responsible walker/cleaner-upper/chin scratcher/birdseed dispenser you’ve hired?

Best Suckers for Pets
No, we’re not talking about lollipops for Lassie, although surely someone’s come up with that idea. We’re talking about the people like you and us who can’t resist pets and are also business owners or managers. There’s an impressive number of Long Beach businesses that have nothing to do with pets yet have a big jar of treats ready to hand out to them. Where does the tail start wagging while you’re out running errands?

Best Rescue
We want to spotlight the responsible rescuers of cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents and everything else animal not just in Long Beach but everywhere. These people expend as much sweat and personal finances as they do love in caring for pets whom no one else cared for, finding them foster homes, getting their needs and illnesses taken care of, and gritting their teeth to say no when they reach capacity. It’s often a thankless, grueling task that’s lightened in every sense of the word only when one of their charges goes to a loving forever home. In the shadow of recent events, let’s shine the spotlight on these good people and name the ones from whom you got a best buddy.

Post or e-mail your choices for some or all of the above categories. We’ll keep the categories posted for a month and then will announce the winners. Looking forward to reading them!

Virtually Pets
 

Otis

“Oy, put me in a home already!” Otis was selected by Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) http://www.folba.org as the poster pet for adoption. At 12 years old, Otis is a senior citizen who can still kick up his heels. He’s been at ACS for a few weeks, and no one came to make the right match. FOLBA decided that he should have more of a chance at living out the rest of his nine lives. He’s a great lap cat and would give someone who wants a new friend a lot of affection. Meet him at Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach. They’re open until 7 p.m. on weekdays; call (562) 426-4066 for visiting hours.

Pet Projects

Fostering Classes, P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village Auditorium, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Thursday, March 8, 10 a.m.–noon

  • Help a pet better his or her chance at adoption! spcaLA is looking for foster parents for pets of all ages and needs. Potential foster parents must fill out and submit an application prior to attending a foster class. Classes are free! spcaLA provides the food, materials and, of course, the pet, and you provide the home. Click here http://www.spcaLA.com to download the application and for more information.  

Free Cat Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Clinics, various locations, Long Beach Animal Care Services and Parks, Recreation and Marine, Saturday, March 10 and April 14

  •  Long Beach is doing its best to make it easy for pet owners to protect their pets from illness and disappearance. Free cat clinics for rabies inoculation and microchipping will take place at the following locations:
    • March 10: 9–10:30 a.m., Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way; 12:30–2 p.m., Cesar Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave.
    • April 14: 9–10:30 a.m., Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., 12:30–2 p.m., Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave.
  •  Arrive early; supplies are limited. Sponsored by Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinic http://www.scvvc.webs.com/. Click here http://www.longbeach.gov/acs.  

Friends of Long Beach Animals Benefit for the Animals, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, Sunday, March 11, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

  •  Join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for an entertaining, tasteful and tasty evening. Our 18th annual Benefit for the Animals at the Long Beach Playhouse begins with a reception featuring a delicious selection of finger food provided by Pamlin Catering and music by our favorite pianist, Ralph Brunson. You will have time to socialize with fellow animal lovers and browse and bid on silent auction items. Raffle tickets will also be on sale.
  • At 7:30, Peggy Nichols, our Hero to Animals 2012, will be introduced, and you will then enjoy a performance of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. In this spirited and fast-moving adaptation of the original 1899 play, Holmes is surrounded by all the elements that fans of his exploits have come to expect: anger, intrigue, wit, humor and surprise.
  • Tickets are $25 and are available at the following locations:
    • Belmont Pets and LaunderPet, 3429 E. Broadway           433-3605
    • Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Avenue                                    426-4066 
    • Bixby Knolls LaunderPet, 4102 Orange Avenue, #113         427-2551 
    • Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, 2665 Coast Highway       494-0975 
    • Chuck & Toby, (Wiskers) 191 Park Ave, Belmont Shore 434-8085 
    • Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal 421-9797 
    • Wags to Whiskers, 5505 Stearns St.                                           430-5161    
  • For further information or to purchase tickets, contact [email protected] or call (562) 988-SNIP (7647).