new puppy alert: lucy

A new chocolate lab puppy, Lucy, joined us today. We went a little late today, and made it quick, but we saw some new faces that helped wear Riptide out so I can get my work done.

[Riptide and Brody check out Lucy to see if she's worth a run or not.]

[I think we have a Dude in training. ;)]

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sunshine and treasures

It was short, but eventful, trip today. Sunshine was abundant, the tide low and the surf was kind to those who ride it. We also found some interesting things along the way.

[A few surfers head out to ride a few before work or school.]

[TempTide sniffs out this lobster trap that washed ashore. We usually see these in the fall. This one still has bricks inside that attempted to weigh it down.]

["The Small Dog Brigade" plays together. In the foreground is Claire, and as you move back it's Riptide, Beaker, Tempest & Diva.]

[This little guy unfortunately didn't survive the last tide ebb & flow.]

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the fog

As we drive down Santa Barbara, we usually see the coastline of OB, PB and La Jolla with the Big Blue. This morning, it was a big cloud of gray. We couldn't see a block in front of us as we approached the beach, but I had my shades on by the time we left.

[The parking lot at just about 7 AM]

[Looking out at the ocean/lifeguard chair a minute or two later.]

[Frenchie butts are funny, even in low visibility.]

[As we headed back from the end of the beach around 7:30, the fog was pushing back offshore. I like this pic, 'cause the moon is big, but barely visible.]

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a new, less soggy week

We were rained out again yesterday, but we enjoyed ourselves on Saturday. Friends visiting from NH joined us, but I didn't bring my camera. A 6- and 7-year old experiencing Dog Beach for the first time, and I forget my camera. Sometimes I wonder where my mind is...

Anyway, today was clear, with big surf hanging around after the storm. Not a bad way to start the week.

[Larger-than-average surf tickling the pier.]

[These two golden retrievers (or Labs?) enjoyed some fetch-the-ball-from-the-water time.]

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rained out

We woke up to rain and winds, so no beach today. I should try to capture Tempest on video when it rains. She does everything she can to avoid the rain hitting her face. It's hilarious.

The sun came out a few minutes ago, but I'm no deadline. Maybe Ronnie will take the kids and a few pics for me this afternoon.

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a face plant and some new guys

All I can say is that I'm very excited Ronnie didn't have a video or still camera yesterday. Riptide decided to test my sanity by chasing the huge tractor that rakes up kelp. He was running so fast in its trail, I thought for sure it was going to catch it (and lose his face). As I screamed and ran, Tempest ran under my legs. Yes, I can still hear and feel the sand in my teeth.

Today was much calmer. And we met some new friends. Emma visited with her little ones, Taylor and Jake. They ran Riptide up and down the beach, so he slept a ton today. Hope we see them again. I'm liking the quiet time.

And a quick shout out to our buddy, Dude. He's been away from the beach for a bit due to a bad shoulder. He was back yesterday and today, only to leave limping. Hopefully he feels better soon.

[Taylor (background) and Jake take a short break from chasing Riptide and seagulls.]

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random holiday sights

Today is President's Day. To my surprise, my husband and many of my coworkers have the day off. Ronnie and I took the dogs to the beach together this AM, a nice treat, before meeting up with some of my old Musicmatch buddies for lunch.

[This little Pomeranian won cutest outfit for the day.]

[What's left of a beached jellyfish. Transparent, with no tentacles, it was difficult to spot.]

[The surf was looking pretty good. These guys are all deciding if they're going to jump back to their cars to don suits and boards, or if they'll return later in the day.]

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dave

This is Dave. He's a Bulldog runt. He weighs only 35 pounds or so. You can see Riptide in the back a bit for a little bit of perspective. Dave was just prancing in the waves today have a good old time. What a great name. Though, I doubt my Uncle Dave would think so. :)

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brrrr!

I know, we're spoiled here in SoCal, but it was COLD this morning. It rained all day yesterday, and then we woke up to see our breath. High 30s, low 40s is heaven in February for many, but we San Diego weather wimps don't know how to cope! Don't you feel sorry for us? ;)

[Having been cooped up all day yesterday, Riptide and Elsie just couldn't sit still all morning.]

[Heidi stirs up trouble now that the treats are no longer available.]

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my funny valentine

My primary valentine is Ronnie, but TempTide and the beach are some of my favorite ones. In celebration of the day, I'm sharing this little note I received from Surfrider.

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let's hope the rottie was the female

I had to ask the owner to confirm, but this little guy is a Rottweiler mixed with a Dachshound.

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damn

It finally happened here in our own back yard. I'm sure it's occurred previously, but this is the first time I've heard of it at our beach.

[From KFMB, Channel 8]
Dog Killed by Pit Bull at Dog Beach
Last Updated:02-10-08 at 2:15PM
It wasn't all fun on the beaches Saturday as a miniature pinscher was attacked and killed by a pit bull at Ocean Beach.The dogfight occurred at Dog Beach Saturday afternoon.A man tried to break the dogs apart and got bit in the process.The Escondido Humane Society will decide what will happen to the pit bull.The owner of the pit bull is not facing charges at this time.

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super fat birthday tuesday

[I didn't take this picture, but it's a good one]

Today's is Ronnie's birthday, Super Tuesday and Mardi Gras. Whew! That's one heck of a weekday.

TempTide can't vote or drink Hurricanes, but they can enjoy Ronnie and me playing his new Wii while they chew on bully sticks. They get the beach everyday, what else do they need?

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new dog alert: tipper

I shared recently that Saatchi passed away. Elsa now has a new companion. Today we met Tipper. It's a new name (Tipper was previously owned by an elderly man who called her Tinkle), but we're going to see if it sticks.

Here's Tipper with Carol enjoying the crew. Elsa hid from the camera, but we'll get her next time.

Update: I talked to Carol the other day, and we were wrong. This new lovely is named Tinker [I think?!]. We'll get it straight one of these days.

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it ain't easy being pit

Even though we know many Pitbulls are friendly and playful, it's tough to put fear aside when you come upon one you don't know. We purposely take our dogs in the AM to avoid the afternoon crowd of more aggressive dogs and less attentive owners.

A young man came to the beach this morning, with his Pit, for the first time. He said he usually takes her to the one in Del Mar. The dog seemed friendly, though maybe a bit overzelous in play (she was still a puppy). She stole Alfie's toy, only to get in a spat with Alfie. She tried to take Dude's frisbee. She chased Riptide, nipping at his ears. Tempest got protective and snapped at her.

I was trying my best to give the Pit the benefit of the doubt, but it's tough. My husband's dog was killed by three Pitbulls when I first met him. Dude's human, Sean, told me his Mom watched their family dog killed by a Pitbull while walking him when Sean was a child. Yes, they can be loving dogs, but the reality is that they are unpredictable.

I felt bad for the guy who owned the Pit. He seemed like an attentive owner, but he didn't stop or control his dog when she caused obvious stress to others. His response, "I guess you don't like Pits." The truth is that we don't like to see any dogs out of control (mostly cause we don't want to have our dogs react, resulting in a fight no matter who's at fault). But when it's a Pitbull, there's just that extra tinge of fear that your dog doesn't have a chance if it goes that far.

Case in point: A regular Boxer, Oggie, doesn't like his toy to be taken by another dog, so he is known to get in small arguments with other dogs. No one gets hurt, but both owners end up separating their dogs. One day Oggie responded to a Pitbull that stole his ball who's owner was standing more than 100 feet away from his dog. The Pit immediately latched on to Oggie's ear and wouldn't let go. Oggie's owner tried to separate the dogs, but the Pit wouldn't let go. Blood was everywhere, and witnesses feared Oggie would lose that ear.

I know the owner of the Pitbull we saw this morning was shunned immediately, and he took it personally (how could he not), but I felt bad for the guy. I tried to stay calm while his dog chased mine, just hoping with all my might that his Pit wouldn't flip out of nowhere.

Another regular who was there this AM and has a Pitbull said she thinks she probably won't get another Pitbull because she's sick of "watching people pick up their kids and cross the street" ever time she and her dog go for a walk.

It sucks for the breed and the responsible owners out there that the fear is there. But it is. And not without warrant. After years at the beach, I see they are the ones most often to attack another dog (and viciously). And for some reason, their owners are further away then they should be.

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