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—10 minutes of chasing a shredded-up felt mouse followed by five hours of napping).
I’ve just returned from an extended vacation that comprised Cheyenne and Seattle, two cities that couldn’t 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.
We’re more like Seattle in that we have a ton of options for our pets, particularly dogs. Unlike Seattle, our climate’s considerably warmer, and our beaches aren’t 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—Rosie’s Dog Beach.
Rosie’s, which is celebrating its 11th 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—the entire process took three years and a lot of yapping from all sides—of Belmont Shore übermakher Justin Rudd, whose beloved bulldog, Rosie, loved the water.
“I 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,” 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.
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.
“I’m honored and humbled each day when I’m on my five-mile run past Rosie’s and I see the big photo of her and the name Rosie’s Dog Beach on the sign at the parking lot,” Rudd said. Rudd and Millero take Rosie’s little “brother,” Riley, to Rosie’s a few times a month but said that he doesn’t take to the sea the way his sister did. “Rosie could not get enough of it,” Rudd said.
Neither can a good number of other dogs and their people. When I went to Rosie’s 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’s sandy charms.
“This is like being at Ipanema Beach!” Teigen rhapsodized, and he didn’t seem to be kidding. “Pretty islands [the man-made oil ones], a view of the city, people are nice and we can go to Second Street after.”
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).
“The thing with rules is some people naturally abide by them. I’d do it anyway—no problem,” said Alex Carmel, who came to the beach with her dog, Nani. And most people do—the sand was clean of dog waste (although I can’t 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 for the same reason that troublesome patrons are allegedly being banned from bars. It’s all Rosie, but not all rosy all the time.
“Thankfully, those issues are minimal, and hundreds of happy dogs and owners enjoy the dog beach on a daily basis,” Rudd said. “I’m 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’s on a monthly basis.”
There are no big future plans for Rosie’s, 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.
“It’s a true privilege to have Rosie’s in our own backyard,” he said. “Weekly, folks stop to say thanks for the dog beach. It’s by far the most popular place on the Long Beach’s four miles of Pacific coastline year round. Both dogs and people are smiling when they visit Rosie’s.”
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
~”Rub It In,” various artists, written by Layng Martine
Virtually Pets
9 Lives for $9!
This project, sponsored by FoundAnimals.org, has been doing a great job in making adult cats available to loving homes. Summer’s nearly over, but I can guarantee you that the shelters won’t 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’s website. 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.)
Here are a couple of candidates:
Tabby Wabby
Rescue this beautiful cat from a terminally adorable name. She’s three years old and has been spayed. Ask for ID#A474676.
Last I looked, this guy hadn’t been named, but he resembles someone and I’ve 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—he’s somewhat of a wag, pun intended) suggested he be named Tabby Hunter. Whatever—what 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.
Rusty
Cameron
Maggie
Ma Barker and Her Gang
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’s 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’re all waiting, spayed/neutered and healthy—the boys at the spcaLA side of the Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Maggie at ACS. Need a little friend?
Animal Care Services and spcaLA are both located at 7700 E. Spring St. in Long Beach, near El Dorado Park.
Breaking Pet-Lines
Bixby
Baby Shower
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’s name was suggested by city of Long Beach employee Marina Ohlson Smorick in honor of the first Long Beach Bixby—its founder, Jotham Bixby. The name was selected by vote from a number of submissions.
I tried snapping a few shots with my trusty camera that I’ve owned for five years and still don’t know how to maneuver through the settings—better ones are available here. Bixby was having fun investigating the filtering pipes and swimming from one end of the exhibit to the other while his “aunties,” as staff member Ellie called him, nudged him and sniffed him and poked him attentively. As they say, it takes a habitat.
The Mechanics of Generosity
On Aug. 6, the founders of Homeless with Dogs (HWD)—Patricia Zaid, Liz Reyes and Chad Robbins (who couldn’t attend)—received a check for $1,014 from Orozco’s Auto Service at their facility at 3619 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach. In attendance were 7th District City Councilmember James Johnson; Daniel Brezenoff, legislative director from 1st District Councilmember Robert Garcia’s office; Julie Fogg of Bixby Toastmasters; and the entire Orozco family.
From left: James Johnson, Servando Orozco, Kenya Orozco, Patricia Zaid, Liz Reyes and family member, and Daniel Brezenoff
Servando Orozco, the head CEO of Orozco’s, had approached the mayor’s office for a worthy organization to help.
“It’s our responsibility to create awareness of the community,” Orozco said.
Orozco was directed to the office of Councilmember Garcia. Brezenoff directed him to HWD, an organization that was featured awhile back in Pet Post. HWD assists homeless people by seeking donors for food for both cats and dogs and distributing it to the owners. To date, they’ve 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.
Besides the check, HWD and Orozco’s were presented with certificates from the city of Long Beach and the offices of councilmembers Garcia and Johnson.
“Every time something good happens in the city, you can bet that Servando’s behind it,” Johnson said.
New Veterinary Opens on Lakewood
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’re offering a free initial exam for a limited time. Their Facebook page gives their hours as 9AM to 10PM seven days a week. Call (562) 274-7776 for appointments.
Pet Projects
We Harte BARK, Saturday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Bret Harte Library, 1595 W. Willow St., Long Beach 90810
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 (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 [email protected].
BARK for the Body Shop, through Aug. 24, 5013 E. 2nd St., Long Beach
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.
Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals, Saturday, Oct. 13, 9AN–3PM, El Dorado Regional Park Archery Range, 7550 Spring Street at the 605 Freeway, Long Beach. Parking: $7.
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. All funds raised go toward low-cost spay/neuter and humane education. Bring your pet or come alone and enjoy this great annual event!
Donations Needed for Animal Care Services, Pitchford Animal Companion Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-PETS
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!).
- wet food for cats and kittens
- wet food for dogs and puppies
- Natural Balance Dog Food Rolls. See examples here.
- Two trash cans for our play yards that open with a foot press. See an example here.