Real Dog: Sophie

Sophie is a beautiful brown and white Cocker Spaniel. Sophie has a sweet disposition and loves playing with all her puppy pals. Although this cutie looks as though she prefer's to be pampered, Sophie keeps up with both the small and big dogs. This ability sums up this spunky Cocker, Sophie may be little but she has a large personality.

Wildlife Alert: Red Diamond Rattlesnake

There was a Red Diamond Rattlesnake today at 5pm behind the tennis courts. The snake came from the reservoir and ended up on the tennis court. Animal control was called out and they captured it.

Tim, Coti's owner snapped these photo's and would like to remind people that as the temperatures warm up, these critters may come out now. Reason to stay alert on your walks and pay attention to our pets and kids.

Thanks Tim for this very important reminder.

Real Dogs of The Weekend: Marshall and Rocky

Marshall and Rocky are brothers. Marshall is a very nice Golden Retriever and Rocky is all Rocky (I forget all his blends). Rocky is an investigator, he needs to check out everything, while Marshall is happy to hang with all his Dove Canyon pals. These two happy-go-lucky dogs competed in the Dove Dash last weekend and both finished as winners.

Real Dog of the Week: Lady Scout

Scout is a beautiful Saint Bernard whose imposing size doesn't take away from her lady like presence. It's not only because she wears her trademark pearl necklace, it can only be summed up by that famous hip shaking philosopher, Tom Jones "She's got style, she's got grace, She's a winner, She's a Lady. Whoa whoa whoa, She's a Lady."

Dove Dash

Team Real Dogs of Dove Canyon joined in all the festivites of today's 5k Dove Dash and Pancake breakfast. Big tail wag to those dogs and their owners who walked it: Charlie, Cooper, Diva, Isabelle/Nibsy/Sweetie, Marshall & Rocky , Roxy, Sammy, Santana, Sofie, Uzi & Bella. Along the way the OC Register took lots of pictures of our dogs and said they were going to call later in the week for a possible story. It was a beautiful morning and the pancakes were yummy. Maya baked and passed around homemade dog biscuits as a well deserved treat. Huge thanks to Victoria Corbin for our team's sign and reserving a table. Money was raised for Ryan's Reach, we created awareness of our group and we tired our dogs out in the process, what a great Sunday morning.

New Real Dog of Dove Canyon Logo

Thanks to my creative and patient husband Harold, we now have a distinct new logo for our blog site. Our direction was to take it in the same styling of the Dove Canyon logo - notice the tail. Labels with this logo on it will make it's debut at the Dove Canyon Dash tomorrow. Let me know what you think.

Spring Picture Spot in RSM

Spring has sprung, wildflowers are blooming all over Southern California. Want a great place to take pictures of your dog and children? There is a great spot in RSM where you can take photo's just like this one I took of Diva today. From Santa Margarita Parkway, Turn Right on Antonio at the Ralphs shopping center, Drive until it dead ends at the intesection of Las Flores, the wildflowers are abundant directly in front of you. Send me your doggie portraits to post.

Fridays Real Dog: Louie

OMG! Look how cute our Friday dog is! Louie is small but mighty and loves to play with Cha Cha. Louie commands Oohs and Ahhs each time he takes a walk. Who needs Friday happy hour when you can just look at his picture!

Community Off Leash Play Area? The Ball is in our Court

We've got the ball and are moving forward on gathering information and support for an off leash play area in Dove Canyon. Dove Canyon HOA Board will send out a survey in their May newsletter asking homeowners if they want an off-leash play area. Please make sure you answer the survey and continue to spread the word to your Dove Canyon neighbors. Have them send me their e-mail address so I can add them to our list or let them know about this blog. One of our next steps is to establish a website that we can post a petition on it for additional support. Once the website is up and running I will place a notice here. In the meantime, go out and walk your dog and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having.

First Poll Results

Our First Poll results are in. The question was: Would you like an off leash play area for our dogs in Dove Canyon? 23 people voted yes and 0 people voted no. A new poll addressing as to where you let your dog off leash is now on the blog. Please check off as many boxes as you would like and feel free to leave comments. Thank you for your participation.

Thursday's Real Dog: Cha Cha

Cha Cha is an adorable Havanese who doesn't run, she fly's and bounces. Although this little black and white girl is small, she thinks she's a big dog and holds her own against all the dogs at the park. She always has an audience watching her dance across the grass. Cha Cha never tires out and is unstoppable!

Real Dogs of the Weekend: Ben and Fletcher

Ben and Fletcher are weekend regulars who live together. Ben is one big sweet puppy who doesn't really know how big he is. Fletcher likes to investigate the area and many have commented that he should be in movies. These two great "real dogs" are already stars among their friends.

Celebrate St. Paddy's Day With Some Green

St. Paddy's day is all about the Green... Green Grass... so grab your leash and bring your dogs to the pool area this evening to roll in some shamrocks. Come around 5:00/5:30, we'll be there! P.S. Bella is not passed out from too much partying!

Wednesday's Real Dog: Bella

Bella is all about play! She can't wait to see her favorite Dove pals and is ready to jump out of the car as soon as she arrives for her daily social. Bella is always ready to chase a ball or her friends. Bella keeps her eye out for fun and finds it with the Real Dogs of Dove Canyon.

Send Photo's of your "Real Dog"

Call Out for pictures of your pups! Please send me photo's of your dog so I can feature them as Dog of the Day...Please include their name and a little blurb about them.. or a funny story.. We love getting to know your dogs better.

Tuesday's Real Dog: Penny

Penny is our real dog of the day and the week!!! Penny's owner Victoria is one of the key forces behind Dove Dash. Penny is one of the sweetest golden retrievers ever! She loves chasing and holding on to tennis balls, dog toy's, pine cones, etc... She certainly lives up to her retriever breed. Penny's bright personality makes her the shiniest penny of the bunch.

Monday's Real Dog - Diva

Diva is a Portuguese Water Dog who loves running more than swimming. Diva is our dog and the reason this blog was started, because she really loves playing with her friends everyday. She's quick to find pine cones and keeps an eye on Maya (our daughter) at all times. Diva is not to much of a "prima donna" but she does demand attention and usually get's it.

Dog License Amnesty Program

Did you know it's the law to license your dog. Here's your chance to license your dog without any penalties or late fee's.

Local Off-Leash Dog Parks

So where can our dogs play off leash locally? There are not many alternatives and I would really like your input if you have visited any of the off leash dog parks. I have only visited the one in Rancho Santa Margarita, behind the ball fields and next to the skateboard park in Canada Vista park off Antonio Parkway. First time I went, I went alone and was nervous because it's behind the ball fields, far away from the street and I was there mid morning, so no one was around, not even a dog. The second time I went with my family and made sure we were there during early evening, there were about 8 regulars who were nice, however, the park was not well maintained (lots of dog feces) and the wood chips they covered the park with were hard to comb out of Diva's fur. Please share your experience on this blog.

In order of Approximate Distance from Dove Canyon:

5.1 Miles: Rancho Santa Margarita Dog Park
9.6 Miles: Ladera Ranch Dog Park (Open to residents only, so you need to go with a friend who lives in Ladera)
15.4 Miles: Laguna Niguel Dog Park
15.5 Miles: Central Bark in Irvine (Picture above)
22.1 Miles: Laguna Beach Dog Park

Only the RSM Dog Park I would consider local and I'm not a fan. After a day of meetings, carpooling, errands, I don't want to drive 5 miles to run my dog. Maybe I would do it a few times a week, but daily exercise is important. Playing off leash burns off the doggie energy I can't achieve with just walks. I want to run Diva in an area close to home, where I can see my neighbors and friends, people from my school & church, members of the Dove Canyon Golf Club... In a nutshell, People I know and recognize and whose dogs I've gotten to know on walks around our beautiful community. How do you all feel???

Saturday's Real Dog - Roxy

Roxy is a very sweet Australian Shepard who is the best look-out! She is always on alert and watches over her canine pals when she isn't trying to herd them. Roxy may greet new comers with a few barks, but after she checks you out, she's happy to welcome them into the fold. Even after a full day at Wags and Wiggles, Roxy can't wait to see her Dove friends. She loves hot dog treats and honestly, look at that face, how can you resist not giving her one.

TODAY'S REAL DOG - Super Trooper Cooper

Okay, I can't help but think of the Abba Song "Super Trooper" each time I see Cooper. Cooper is one big loveable Golden Retriever! He may look like he's always hanging in the same place, but somehow when you look down, Cooper is there saying hello. We love seeing "Coop's" smiling face everyday. Now let's sing or at least hum ... "Super Trooper (Cooper) beams are going to blind me, but I won't feel blue, Like I always do, 'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you."

Coyote Alert

Around 4:30pm yesterday, A coyote was spotted in the hill by the grass area left of the pool. Button's Mom was walking with her family and saw a Coyote dart out of the shrub and grabbed a rabbit. A big thanks to Marjorie for alerting us so we could warn other dog walkers. I'm not a wildlife expert, but I'm pretty sure if a Coyote finds a plentiful food source, and we've all seen the many rabbits in this area, the Coyote will be back. So keep an eye out and warn the next person you see walking in the area.

So, what should you do if you spot a coyote nearby? Don’t call animal control, unless the animal is exhibiting unusual behavior, as in it’s hurt, acting aggressively or posing a threat to people. Animal Control officials can only urge residents to avoid leaving water or food outside. If a coyote comes close, make noise, and take small pets and children inside. If it's acting aggressive, call authorities right away.

A special note to dog walkers: get rid of those retractable leashes, pets that walk 12 feet away from your body become an easy target for quick-footed coyotes.

Meet Real Dog Cody

Cody is a beautiful Malamute who loves to greet everyone with a great WHOOOOOO. Cody visits twice a day and is often seen hanging with her best friend Cooper. She has such a regal presence no wonder she is known as the Queen. Long may she Rule!

New Puppy Chloe

New Puppy Chloe came out yesterday for the first time and met many of the regular "real dogs of DC". Roxy, Cooper, Sophie, Smokey, Cha Cha, Diva and Bella welcomed this cute Corgi with the usual sniffs. Chloe is 4 months old and is owned by Christy. We look forward to watching Chloe socialize with her new canine pals.

Picking Up The Ball - Starting a Petition

I'm picking up the ball so we can run with the possibility of a future dog park in Dove Canyon. The support of the community must be the number one priority and I want to make sure the petition we put together is concise, informative and presents a good case to increase our chances of actually getting a dog park. Research has confirmed my belief that "you can find everything on the internet". There are actual sites that you can post your petition on and people can go to that link and sign the petition and provide comments. So, I've e-mailed out some wording and waiting on all our Dog Lover's input. My goal is to send out an actual petition next week. This would be great to have in hand to take to the next board meeting. Please keep encouraging your friends and neighbors to send me their e-mails so I can have a list of people to invite online to sign the petition. Of course, e-mail me back with your idea's and suggestions. I'm happy to run with the ball, but need you all to throw it back at me.

TEAM "Real Dogs of DC" in Dove Dash

Join Team "REAL DOGS OF DC" Team Sunday March 21, 2010 in the 9th annual Dove Dash & Pancake Breakfast. Spend time with your family, neighbors and dogs walking Dove Canyon. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and help a great cause. When you register, add yourself to our team. If you have already signed up for the Dash and not on a team, walk with us! We'll gather in the back of the runners.

Time:
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Location:
Corner of Dove Canyon Drive and Sycamore Drive
32003 Dove Canyon Drive
Dove Canyon , CA

PLEASE NOTE: Online Registration Will Close at 11:59PM Thursday, March 18th. After which, you must register on site at the Dove Dash the day of the event.

All proceeds and donations go to Ryan's Reach. Ryan’s Reach envisions a nationwide network of High Hopes Neurological Recovery Group facilities to serve the demanding and complex needs of brain injury victims and their families. We seek to ensure that every victim and family affected by Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States receives the necessary care and support to continue full and productive lives in the midst of this potentially devastating life event.

5K Walk / Run - 8:00AM
We'll have a booming start at the corner of Dove Canyon and Sycamore Canyon, run to the end of Sycamore Canyon and finish at the pool with a FREE hearty pancake breakfast!

Early Check-In Available
Early check-in (and in-person registration) is available from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, March 20th at Gold's Gym in the Dove Canyon Shopping Plaza. Race day registration opens at 6:30am at Gold's Gym. But, do you really want to get up early and do that?
Weather
Come join us, rain or shine, we'll be there!
Course Description
The course could best be described as rolling. The start is a slight uphill (~200 yards), then a gradual descent to the half-point, then a u-turn, and a gradual ascent to final 1/4 mile. At that point, you turn right down a steep descent followed by a mild ascent to the finish.

The Benefits of Off-Leash Play

Off-leash dog areas provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks the world over allow owners and their dogs to spend time together while the dog satisfies its cravings for canine play and companionship. It's great exercise for the dog and a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful community setting.

Respected organizations like the ASPCA believe that dog parks are beneficial to both dogs and their guardians. According to Dan Emerson of Dog Channel.com, proponents of dog parks cite the following benefits: "They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing."