Butters Loves Huntington Beach's Dog Beach!

I love COASTAL LIVING, and it’s not just because my pal Tracey worked there. I really love the whole vibe of the magazine. The July/August 2010 edition has a list of dog-friendly beaches on page 24 compiled by Sarah Latta.   Sadly, Sarah missed Butters’ favorite beach workout spot – Huntington Beach, California’s Dog Beach (PCH between Seapoint and Goldenwest Streets).

Other Dog-Friendly Beaches Around the U.S. Listed by Coastal Living:

• Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina
• Nags Head, North Carolina
• Fort De Soto Park Paw Playground, Tierra Verde, Florida
• Jekell Island, Georgia
• Ocean Beach, California (San Diego Area)
• Pacific City, Oregon

Lincoln City, Oregon is listed on many of the searches for Pacific City, Oregon Dog beach. Here’s a clever site that lists dog-friendly hotels in Oregon.

For more dog-friendly beaches, please visit www.dogfriendly.org.

Remember to be a good dog person. Clean up after your pet . Many of these venues provide clean up bags, but it’s a good idea to bring your own. If you know your dog is aggressive or unfriendly, only go to venues where dogs are leashed. This way you can control your dog and other folks can control theirs.   For your dog’s safety, be realistic about how well your dog is trained. Bring water for yourself and your dog.

SAFETY TIP: Sand gets hot and can burn and blister delicate paws. Go before it gets too hot or —  and this is going to sound goofy — cover your dogs paws going to and from the water. Many pet stores carry paw protectors.

Now, go hit the beach with your canine!

So when it was time to collect Butters, I took Lula with me. She was quite animated while we waited for Butters to appear.  When he rounded the corner, still a bit dazed from the anethesia, she scampered over to him and greeted him with the enthusiasm once reserved for meeting loved ones at airline gates in the days before 9-11.

We returned home. Butters was out of it. If you ever have had a dog receive anethesia, you may have heart them whimpering as the effects wear. Lula was very concerned. She walked between Butters and me. She would look at him while he whimpered. And when it was dinner time, she did the talking since he wasn’t in the mood to remind me.  Usually they sleep apart. Tonight they’re sleeping rather close.  It’s sweet.

I love that my dogs have bonded and look out for each other.

White chocolate and carob dipped dog biscuits. (Remember: Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Butters' got into chocolate one Christmas and had to have his tummy pumped. Not cheap!)

I love:

• Dave and Marilyn, the great couple who live on the edge of the park, because they don’t mind when their border collie brings home a few friends and runs them through their freshly remodeled home.  
• The Dogfather (not a typo) who knows all the dogs and their people and helps damsels in distress.
• Auntie Tracy, who spoils my dogs silly.  Case in point: She’s sent Butters white chocolate dipped milkbones for Valentine’s day and overnighted a box of canine chicken jerky.
• Dawn, who rescues basset hounds regardless of their circumstances and finds them forever homes.
• Friends Sonia & Kim who bring their dogs to the park and make me walk with them
• Great neighbors who enjoy my dogs as much as I do and help me when I need it
• Great neighbors who think a basset hound howl is music.
• A great vet
• A compassionate chiropractor who gave me another 12 months with Mr. Finley and rescued a lovely pitbull who thinks she’s my lapdog
• Good friends who force you to bust out a dog in need
• The folks who help find homes for Baghdad Pups
• People who help us understand our dogs better
• Great groomers
• Dog-friendly businesses

I love :: people who love our canine companions.

I learned of Butters through my friend, Amy.  Amy’s boss was fostering this dog, but his golden retriever was driving him nuts.  The dog was left behind when his family moved. Somehow he got to Amy’s boss. I received an email, “Suzi, could you take him? If not, they’re taking him to the shelter.”

I had Finley, a 14-year-old golden retriever.  Oh boy. So I wrote back, “Amy, let me come see him.”

I dragged my pal, Liz, along that day to give him the once over. I should know better than to take Liz.  I had no intentions of coming home with another dog on my birthday, but after seeing him, Liz hit me in the arm and whispered, “We’re busting him out today!” 

So I looked at the lady of the house and said, “We’ll just take him now, if that’s okay?” As soon as she clipped on his leash, he pulled us out the gate to Liz’s SUV and loaded up as if to say, “See ya!”

When we got home, I gave him a flea bath and tried to take out some of the mats from his coat. Oh my goodness… my tub looked like tribbles bred it it!

 The first night, he let me pat him on the head, then he went outside to lay for a few hours.  Finley took it in stride. (I love that dog and miss him terribly to this day.)  The next night, I was able to pat him on the head twice, and he went outside to lay for a few hours before I made him come inside to sleep.

I made an appointment with my vet.  He was healthy, about 3 or 4-years-old, but he was matted, and he had fleas. She body clipped him. Now… I don’t know if he’d never been pet before, but when I ran my hands down his fuzzy crew cut, he melted. Today, he’s a petting junkie!!! 

Butters is a handsome charmer.  He’s quick with a wave and a kiss on the cheek. He’ll charm you out of your last Milkbone or insist that you pet him until you can pet no more. Women are particularly captivated by him. His Auntie Tracy even overnights gourmet dog treats to him!  But, he always knows where his mom is and how to get to her. He’s as polite as can be and a sweet, sweet boy. I even catch him acting like Finley every once in a while.  (Thanks for the help, Fin’.)

In short, Butters is my found treasure. He’s priceless.  He’s going no where.  He’s home… forever.

I LOVE:  Butters… my found treasure.