You and your dog can kiss boredom goodbye this summer, because we’ve got the scoop on all kinds of dog-friendly events happening around Southern California. Start organizing your calendar for these fun activities that both two-legged and four-legged patrons can enjoy.
On Father’s Day, June 16th, consider taking dad to the Wags n’ Wine event at the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. With delicious drinks, a beautiful resort setting, and exciting auctions and raffles, he can enjoy family time with the dog along for the fun. And don’t forget to dress your pup to the nines for the popular pooch pageant, one of the highlights of the event. Proceeds benefit the Waggin’ Trails Rescue Foundation, which rescues companion animals from overcrowded California shelters and abandonment situations and finds them loving forever homes. The rescue places dogs locally and partners with like-minded rescue organizations, humane societies and no-kill shelters in neighboring states and western Canada, where shelter overcrowding is less prevalent and good homes are readily available. Dad may even find a man’s best friend of his own, as dog adoptions will be held throughout the day.
If festivals are more your style, mark your calendar for the K9 Connections Summer Festival on June 23rd at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles. This summer festival offers lots of fun activities for both the pet owners and their critters. Your dog can try out an agility course, watch a disc dog demonstration, and join you for some dog yoga. There will be a doggie fun run game and even a drum circle. If you have children, there are plenty of dog-inspired games for kids to play, so the whole family can enjoy this special event together. For the past 15 years, K9 Connections has helped teens from difficult circumstances overcome their past, their limitations, and their fears by training homeless shelter dogs at its facility in Santa Monica. Proceeds from the event will benefit both teens in need and shelter dogs who need a forever home.
Now, if you’re more of a cat person, you won’t want to miss out on CatCon, held June 29th and 30th in Pasadena. This well attended event is a cat-lovers paradise. Featuring a large variety of vended goods, activities, and celebrity feline guests, this convention is the perfect mix of cat love and feline pop culture. If you’re looking to give a feline a forever home, plenty of cats will be available for adoption.
Then, two weeks later, be sure to catch the Grand Canyon Cat Club’s 2019 show on July 13th in Simi Valley. Held in six rings at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, the theme this year is Cartoons Are Grand! Watch the judging and then take some time to meet mingle with all the different cat breeds on hand. It’s a fun and educational day the whole family will enjoy.
Throughout the summer, look for opportunities to take part in one of the most popular outdoor doggie-and-me activities in SoCal: doga (dog yoga)! You’ll find classes all over the area, but before you begin, you might enjoy an event like Pug Nation’s Pug Yoga, held July 27th at Indie Brewing Company in Los Angeles. In addition to the adorable dog yoga demo, all sorts of pugs and pug mixes will be up for adoption, and one may steal your heart while you’re there. Bring your family and friends—and of course, your dog—to Indie Brewing Company and learn about the art of relaxation, flexibility and strength through yoga, but with a canine twist.
One of the most anticipated events of the year will once again be the Surf Dog Competition, held at both Imperial and Huntington Beaches (see ad on page 82). If you’ve never witnessed the spectacle of dogs on surfboards, catching the waves and hanging ten to the shoreline, you have to bring your family, pups and friends out to the 2019 competition. This world-famous premier event on the dog surfing circuit is a real crowd pleaser, bringing together the community, surfers, dog lovers, families and pets alike for a rip-roaring good time on the beach.
Visit us online for more on exciting summertime events for you and your pet at petcompanionmag.com.
