Check out this dog friendly event – Blessings of the Animals, which is being held next week Sunday, January 15th, at Old Towns Central Plaza.

Next to the chance of getting your pet blessed, you can also participate in the pet costume contest, get to see wild and exotic animals, or if you haven’t found the right buddy for you yet, might get lucky and find one now; there will be a great amount of dogs up for adoption that are looking for a nice, loving home.

Unleashed Dog Fitness will be there as well, presenting its services and answering all your questions about dog fitness and the benefits of exercising your dog regularly.

For more info, please have a look at the flyer or check out this article on Demotix.com about last years event.

When: December 7th, 2011
What: Hillcrest Pup Crawl & Happy Hour
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Event Donation: $20.00 per person

About Pets America

My hiking buddy "Lyza"

In this part of the series “Urban trails in San Diego,” I would like to introduce one of my favorite house hiking routes; an urban trail hike through Maple Canyon and crossing the beautiful suspension footbridge on Spruce Street.

I usually start right from my house door and add a little neighborhood walk beforehand.

The roughly 4 mile urban hike goes through not-often-seen natural areas of our city. It is partially shaded, though I recommend to walk it on less hot or sunny days. Type: ¼ concrete walkways, ¼ asphalt road, ¼ sloping dirt trails, ¼ steep dirt trails. Difficulty level: Medium

Start point: Sutter & Goldfinch (You can also start directly on West Maple Street.)
Follow Sutter and make a left onto “Jackdaw Street,” another left onto “West Walnut Ave.” “W. Walnut Ave” turns into “Goldfinch,” instead of following the turn, go straight onto a short trail. Follow the trail and stay to the right. The trail turns into a street which leads onto “Reynard Way.”

Make a left onto Eagle Street, and a right onto Dove Street. Make a left onto W. Maple Street.

Here starts the Maple Canyon.

 Follow the trail, which becomes very narrow and turns into a steep uphill. Climb up the stairs and follow the trail up to the street “Third Ave”.
You will see a long, white bridge crossing over the canyon on your left hand side. 

Bridge crossing Maple Canyon

Ginsberg, the Dachshund/Spaniel Mix, isn't really trusting this bridge!

View from the white bridge over Maple Canyon

 Take “Quince” until you see “First Ave.” Turn right and make another left on “Spruce Street”.

Cross the bridge (especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset time,) and continue on “Spruce Street”.

Suspension Bridge on Bruce Street

View from the suspension bridge to the right...

...and to the left

Ginsberg didn't like the bridge too much.

After going downhill, make a right on “Dove” (it looks like the street is ending.) From there you can hit a small single trail again and end up on “Curlew Street”.

*To go back to “Sutter” & “Goldfinch”, make a left and turn right onto “Reynard Way.” “Reynard Way” is a long uphill, so better save some energy for the last climb!

*Note: If you make a right turn on “Curlew Street,” you will end up in Hillcrest, one parallel street next to “University Ave.” “Curlew Street” is a very long and steep uphill.  

“Happy Hiking!”

…Which one is your favorite trail? If you have a description of the trail and maybe even some pictures, please send them to Unleashed Dog Fitness and I will post them. 

Pictures of hikes can also be found on UDF’s Facebook page.

Author: Vanessa Barrera, Unleashed Dog Fitness San Diego
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free evaluation! New: UDF Day Boot Camp!

SAN DIEGO — Fall is quickly approaching, which means cooler weather and indoor activities. It is the perfect time to cozy up with the furry love of your life. The San Diego Humane Society, the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and the Escondido Humane Society are inviting the community to Fallin Love by reducing animal adoption fees to just $25 this fall.

The reduced adoption fee will be offered from September 6^th through October 31^st and includes microchipping, spay/neuter, vaccinations and veterinary exam. During this time, adoption fees on a second animal will also be waived (please check with each animal organization for individual policies).

To fall in love with a furry friend and take advantage of the reduced adoption fees, please visit one of the following animal shelter locations:

• The San Diego Humane Society: 5500 Gaines Street in San Diego; 572 Airport Road in Oceanside (for cats/small animals); 2905 San Luis Rey Rd. in Oceanside (for dogs).
• The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services: 5480 Gaines Street San Diego 92110; 5481 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita  91902; or 2481 Palomar Airport Rd., Carlsbad 92009
• The Chula Vista Animal Care Facility: 130 Beyer Way in Chula Vista
• The Escondido Humane Society: 3450 East Valley Parkway in Escondido

About the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Serving San Diego County since 1880, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s scope of social responsibility goes beyond adopting animals.  The Humane Society offers San Diegans a wide range of programs and services that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty/neglect, provide medical care and educate the community on the humane treatment of animals.

As one of San Diego’s oldest nonprofit organizations, the Humane Society has campuses in both San Diego and Oceanside and is supported solely through contributions, grants, bequests, investments, proceeds from the Muttique retail store, and small fees for services.  For more information or to see current animals available for adoption, please visit www.sdhumane.org. 

About the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility
The Chula Vista Animal Care Facility ensures health and safety for animals and citizens in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and Lemon Grove. For more information or to see current animals available for adoption, please visit http://www.cvacf.org.

About the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services
The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services enforces local animal regulatory and state humane laws, provides dog licensing, animal sheltering and adoption services for the unincorporated areas of San Diego County and the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, Santee, and Solana Beach. For more information or to see current animals available for adoption, please visit http://sddac.com.   

About the Escondido Humane Society
Founded in 1915, the Escondido Humane Society is a regional animal care center that provides animal care, adoption, protection, rescue and educational services to North Inland San Diego County. EHS protects 155,000 animals and shelters 5,000 more each year. For more information or to see current animals available for adoption, please visit www.escondidohumanesociety.org.
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today!
New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare including exercise)!

A few weeks ago, 10news.com and City Voter started a contest, asking people to vote for their favorite businesses in town. 69 boarding places have been nominated, of which UDF was one of the nominees.

For only being open one year in the dog care business, and having to compete against the big shot boarding places, we are especially proud to be in the top five.

Heartfelt Thanks to everyone who voted and supported us! We couldn’t have done it without you.
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free fitness evaluation!
New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare including exercise)!

Drop-off time starts at 7:00 am, pick-up until 3:00 pm. Day care includes playtime with other dogs, potty breaks and two 15 – 20 minute walks per day.
Please inquire about additional services at a discounted price.

Offer valid for students and teachers only. Special ends October 14th. Minimum visits of two a week. Limited spots available.

General requirements:
 Dog(s) must be non-aggressive and generally social.
 Must be current on vaccinations (rabies).
 Must be receiving flea treatment.
 Must be spayed or neutered.
 For off-leash adventures, dog should have a reliable recall.
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free fitness evaluation!
New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare including exercise)!

This event contains the largest holistic animal fair, adopt-a-thon and animal blessing. For more info please click here.

Unleashed Dog Fitness will be there to answer all your questions in regards of keeping your dog healthy, happy and balanced through sufficient exercise. We will also be handing out goodies and offer special deals if you sign up with our service during the event.
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free fitness evaluation! New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare incl. exercise)!

We would love to win 2011′s 10 news A list award for San Diego’s best boarding place. Your vote will help us achieve our goal!

Don’t forget to check out our Voter Deal!

About the 10News.com A-List
The 10News.com A-List is a contest where YOUR votes are all that matter in determining the BEST. Vote for your favorite businesses and show your support by spreading the word. You’ll impact the contest and earn rewards along the way.

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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free fitness evaluation! New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare incl. exercise)!

Number of bites has gone up steadily over last four years

Concern creased the mother’s face. Her 11-year-old son had just been attacked by a neighbor’s dog, bit above the right knee as he walked along a street in City Heights.

She waited while county animal control officer Mitchell Levy snapped photos of the wound. She accepted a form to fill out detailing the incident. She nodded when it was explained that the dog, a Welsh corgi mix resting under a nearby tree, would be quarantined and checked for rabies.

The Paradise Hills case touched off a debate here, as it has in cities across the country over the last 30 years, about pit bulls. And it raised questions about how much is being done to protect the public from vicious dogs.

One of the pit bulls in the mauling had bitten another neighbor six months earlier, causing a minor wound. The owner had essentially been given a warning and was allowed to keep the dog.

In emails and phone calls to government officials and the local media, and in comments posted on various websites, some residents expressed outrage about that. In their minds, one bite is too many.

Under county law, though, it takes two bites within a four-year period (or one bite causing “substantial” injury) before authorities can move to declare a dog dangerous and put restrictions on it, up to and including the death penalty.

“Minor bites happen all the time,” said Dawn Danielson, director of animal services. “Declaring a dog dangerous based on a singular incident would be analogous to putting someone in state prison based on the first minor infraction.”

She said most owners learn from a first incident “and take corrective measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Most people want to be responsible pet owners but accidents happen.”

In the case of the corgi, the mother’s question — No más perro? — seemed especially potent a few minutes later when Levy returned to his truck and logged onto a laptop computer to check the dog’s history.

Turns out Sparky bit another boy, this one 8 years old, about three weeks earlier. The dog was quarantined, didn’t have rabies, and was returned to the owner on July 2 with a warning to prevent a recurrence.

Four days later, Sparky bit the 11-year-old boy.

Read more.
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free fitness evaluation! New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare incl. exercise)!

Like people, dogs react differently to heat. Some of them don’t seem to mind it too much (e.g. Ridgebacks,) while others try to crawl into the tiniest spot as long as it is cool. Heavy coated dogs, dark colored dogs, as well as short nosed dogs are especially sensitive to heat.

No matter what kind of breed you have, they all have the same trouble – they can’t sweat the way like we humans do. Their way of cooling down is mostly through their paws, and by panting and breathing heavily, while their tongue is hanging out widely.
Another way of cooling down is by dilating blood vessels in their face and ears. The expanded blood vessels help cool the dogs blood by causing it to flow closer to the surface of the skin.

Does that mean though you can’t exercise your dog because another hot day is coming up? If you keep a few guidelines in mind, you don’t have to worry too much. 

Try to exercise your dog in the morning or later in the evening rather than during the day when it’s hottest. Stay away from hot pavement, hot sand or other hot surfaces, since dogs’ paws are very sensitive. Try to stay in the shade while exercising, and avoid trails with no shade at all. If you exercise your dog for longer than 30 minutes, bring some water along. Offer the water throughout your walk, run or hike and let the dog drink a couple sips every now and then instead of letting them drink it all at once – this is especially important while running your dog. Think about how you would feel if you just drank half a liter of water, and start running again.

If your dog likes to swim or play in the water, Fiesta Island or one of the other dog beaches (Ocean Beach, Coronado or Del Mar) are great locations to get some exercise in, even on warm days. Often, there is a breeze at the beach, and the water helps to stay cool. Bring a towel for the dog to lie on, and an umbrella to provide shade.
 If you can’t avoid walking on hot sand until you get to the cooler sand part, you can either get some doggie boots, or use old socks. Wet the socks beforehand and slip them over your dogs’ paws.
**Don’t forget, even dogs can get sunburned, especially the lighter coated ones. Avoid going during mid-day between 11:00 am – 3:00 pm if its very hot. 

Throughout exercising your dog, watch for signs of overheating. Is his panting abnormally heavy? Is he slowing down and wants to lie down as soon as a shady spot comes up? Give your dog a break, offer water and pour some water over his paws, to help cool them down. If he gets up on his own after a couple minutes and seems to be good again, continue your workout, but slow it down. If you can’t motivate your dog by using your voice to continue the workout, it’s best to go back home (assuming your dog is still responsive and can walk on its own.)

After you get back to your car or home, make sure your dog can cool down. Provide some water and turn on the A/C or crack the car window enough to get fresh air and a breeze in, but don’t let your dogs head hang out of the window. At home, make sure he has access to water and a cool place to lie down. If you want to feed your dog, give him at least a 20 minute break before feeding him.

Below you will see an info-sheet with signs of heatstroke, when it occurs and what to do.

Heatstroke in Dogs

Happy exercising! 

Author: Vanessa Barrera, Unleashed Dog Fitness San Diego, Dog Exercise & Care Service. 
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Don’t have time to exercise your dog, or need a pet care service? Contact Unleashed Dog Fitness today for a free evaluation! New: UDF Day Boot Camp (Daycare incl. exercise)!