Every once in a while I come upon a story that is so inspiring and moving, it really resonates with me. Such is the case when I was visiting Ecluse Winery and met Toby, a blind dog that is the inspiration for the winery’s second label, Blind Dog Wines. It is not the wine, but
San Luis Obispo County is a very pet-friendly area. This article is the first in a series showing the virtues of dog-friendly California. I will begin with Paso Robles, as this was my first stop in my journey to discovering fun places to visit with a dog. My canine companion on this excursion was my
The event known as Solvang Greyhound Fest in the Southern California city of Solvang had a special meaning for me this year. It was the last weekend I spent with my beloved Parker, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge at age seven on Wednesday after the weekend event. I had planned our weekend together because I
This is the week of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which ended last night. Exhibitors find this prestigious show a great honor and privilege. Those who watch on television see some of the beautiful dogs, but there’s more to the competition and the event behind the scenes. Last year was my first visit to
Salukis are the oldest recognized breed of dogs, bred to hunt rabbits and gazelle. In California, you don’t see many gazelles, but rabbits can be quite abundant. They were out in droves a couple of weeks ago when my husband and I took our three Salukis, Parker, Lexi, and Zoe, to Palm Desert for the
If you watched the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, you probably saw the Canines with Courage float dedicated to military dogs. It was sponsored by Natural Balance Pet Food and modeled after the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, which is scheduled for dedication in the fall. The float and monument honor American military
In California, the Missions were a significant part of our history. One Mission, San Antonio De Padua in Monterey County, has a hidden secret with a special gem: a black cat named Rosario. Mission San Antonio De Padua is hidden away in on the grounds of Fort Hunter Liggett. It is the third Mission to
Pearl does it again. From shelter dog to search and rescue dog, to heroine of the book, “A New Job for Pearl,” and now the ultimate award ASPCA Dog of the Year. The latter was announced this month. Captain Ron Horetski of the Los Angeles County Fire Department (Pearl’s handler) and Pearl will go to