The Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are tiny dogs that usually weigh between 1 and 6 pounds. They are house pets and should not be left outside.

The coat of the Chihuahua is either short and smooth, or long and soft. Chihuahuas may be any color.

The purse size Chihuahua is clean and makes a wonderful companion dog.

Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe

Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup soft butter
1/2 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
1 egg
1/2 cup organic milk

Mix flour with butter and honey.
Mix egg with milk then stir into flour mix.
Add pumpkin.
Mix together until dough is soft.
Use a teaspoon to drop cookies onto cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool and Serve.

The German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is intelligent, adaptable, and trainable. GSDs have been used by the police and the military. They are capable herders and also do rescue work.

After World War I, the English changed the name of the GSD to the Alsatian. The breed was referred to as the Alsatian for over 40 years.

The ears of the adult GSD stand up naturally. The tail is long and carried low, with the gentle curve of a saber at the end.

German Shepherds tolerate extremes in weather temperatures. They love the snow.

The breed is naturally protective of its family and property. A well bred GSD should not be shy and should be approachable in public situations.

Adopting a Grown Up Dog

The Orange County Humane Society located at 21632 Newland Avenue in Huntington Beach is a good place to find a grown up dog to adopt. This friendly German Shepherd Dog was waiting for a home. The sign on the cage says
"I love to play".

Grown up dogs are already big enough to keep up with you on a hike.

Adult dogs are less likely to eat your shoes than puppies, and could already be potty trained.

My family has adopted quite a few grown up dogs. They bonded to our family as well as the puppies we adopted

Cowboy Magic Shampoo & Condtioner

We learned about Cowboy Magic Shampoo & Conditioner from our friends on The Newf-list. They reported that they used this product on their Newfoundland Dogs with good results.

Cowboy Magic is actually a horse shampoo, but it worked great on my dogs and on my own hair. It gets the tangles out and makes hair easy to comb. My Newfoundlands are shiny and smell great.

Another Orange County Dog Park

In September, I posted a list of Orange County Dog Parks. There is another Orange County Dog Park, located in Fullerton. The park is located at 201 S. Basque Avenue, near the Hunt Branch Library.

The park is open dusk to dawn and closed on Wednesdays.

This is an off-leash park with a separate area for small or old dogs.

Chasing the Whip

Dogs love to chase anything tied to the end of a lunge whip. This is a great way to get exercise. The dogs chase the ball that is on the whip. They catch the ball, then give the ball back, so the game can continue.

This game requires a bit of running. The dogs run more than the person carrying the whip.

Pearl is anxious for the game to start. Jewel politely waits for her turn.

Jump Start Dog Sports in Orange County

Jump Start is a dog training facility located in the city of Yorba Linda. Dog training classes are held on well-manicured lawns surrounded by white picket fences.

My Newfoundlands and Leonberger enjoyed taking many classes at this facility. We went to classes on Obedience, Agility, and Confirmation. They have a lot of other classes, including puppy classes and many levels of dog sport classes.

Jump Start also offers seminars and other special events.

Here is a link to the Jumpstart website - www.jumpstartdogsports.com

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Dog Cookies

Housewives from Orange County commented about the Pumpkin Cookie Recipe. They suggested adding a pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg and a little more honey.

The humans who tasted the cookies said they were bland. The dogs who tasted the cookies had no complaints.

Pumpkin Dog Cookies

Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup soft butter
1/2 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
1 egg
1/2 cup organic milk


Mix flour with butter and honey.
Mix egg with milk then stir into flour mix.
Add pumpkin.
Mix together until dough is soft.
Use a teaspoon to drop cookies onto cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool and Serve.

Wilbur at Work

Dogs work in many businesses in Southern California. Wilbur works at a California Native Plant Nursery.

Having a dog around helps to lower stress, motivates workers to take a walk, and provides someone to listen to problems, who won't gossip or repeat anything.

Dogs help keep rodents away, greet customers, and provide dependable security.

Dogs & Friends

The reason dogs have so many friends is because they wag their tails instead of their tongues. –Unknown

Jewel Enjoys Being Groomed

Groomers do more than make dogs beautiful. Regular grooming helps keep your dog healthy.

Removing bacteria and extra hair from the skin helps prevent skin problems. The groomer knows how to give a proper pedicure, so your dog's feet stay healthy.

Jewel does not hurry, unless she is going into the beauty salon. She rushes through the door, opens the gate to the back of the salon, and finds her favorite crate.

The groomer says Jewel is the most cooperative dog she knows.

The Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a long, low, short leg dog with an excellent nose. His large ears help cup the scent when he is tracking. The Basset Hound is less than 15 inches tall at the shoulder.

The Basset Hound has musical baritone voice. He is kind, easy to groom, and makes a good companion dog.

Dogs Listen Without Judging

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. ~Author Unknown

Hiking With Dogs

Many people enjoy hiking with their dogs. Dog Hiking Clubs have been formed all over the country. The clubs organize group hikes. Hiking in a large group provides an opportunity to make new friends, learn about new places to hike, and beginning hikers can learn about safety from more experienced hikers.

When hiking in the wilderness, we stay together and keep our leashes on. The California Mountains are full of large critters like mountain lions, bobcats, bears, and coyotes. We know that staying together as a pack is safer than allow anyone to lag or run ahead. The scariest animal we have encountered is a skunk that was on a hiking trail in the wetlands near the ocean. We were very glad that we had leashes on and the skunk did not spray anyone.

Rottweiler at Huntington Dog Beach

Modern Rottweilers are the descendants of dogs used by Roman soldiers to drive and guard cattle. The dogs were later used by traders, who tied their money belts around their Rottweilers' necks to discourage bandits.

Rottweilers are powerful and intelligent. They work as police dogs and guard property. Rottweilers compete in Tracking, Obedience, and Agility Trials. The Rottweilers who frequent the beaches of Southern California are good swimmers. They have been spotted hanging out with Retrievers and Newfoundland Dogs, surfing the waves and retrieving items thrown into the water by people on the beach.

Orange County Beaches with Dog Hours

Leashed dogs are welcome early in the morning and late in the afternoon at some nice beaches in Orange County. Corona Del Mar State Beach, Newport Beach, and Balboa Beach allow leashed dogs before 9 AM and after 5PM. Dog bag dispensers are located near the signs that list the beach rules. Tickets are issued to off leash dogs.

Corona Del Mar State Beach is a beautiful place to walk with your leashed dogs. This beach is located at Iris Street and Ocean Boulevard in Corona Del Mar.

Newport Beach and Balboa Beach are dog friendly early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Both beaches are located along Balboa Blvd in Newport Beach. Parking is available in large lots near Newport Pier and Balboa Pier, or in the neighborhoods near by. The neighborhoods are filled with cute beach houses. We like to park for free on one of the side streets and then walk through the neighborhood to get to the beach.

More Dog Friendly Restaurants in Orange County

Dog friendly restaurants require that dogs and owners are leashed, well behaved, and pick up after themselves. Here are a few more restaurants with outdoor eating areas.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill - they serve healthy grilled Mexican Food and have several locations. Here are four with outdoor dining areas:
1. 13248 Jamboree Road in Irvine
2. 26548 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills
3. 27620 Marguerite Parkway Ste C in Mission Viejo
4. 979 Avenida Pico in San Clemente

JACK Shrimp located at 26705 Aliso Creek Road in Aliso Viejo

Skimmer's Panini Grill located at 25290 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo

Zinc Cafe and Market located at 350 Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach

Dogs and Politics

The country at large takes a natural interest in the President's dogs and judges him by the taste and discrimination he shows in his selection.... Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House.

AKC Gazette, 1924

Adopt a Big Dog

According to the folks at the Orange County Animal Shelter, large black dogs are the last to be adopted. Tioga was adopted by a Public Health Nurse from Orange County. She went back to the pound several times before taking him home. She thought he was too big. A trained big dog can be easier to handle than a small or medium size high energy dog. Tioga is now a pampered house pet and a great hiking companion.

Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley

Mile Square Park is a great place to walk leashed dogs. Scented pooper scoopers that are big enough for Newfoundlands can be found at several dispensers located throughout the park. Parking is available inside the park for a fee, or you can park on the streets surrounding the park for free. The park has 2 lakes, lots of trees, 2 golf courses, tennis courts, a boy scout camping area, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, a nature center, and lots of picnic areas. There are cement paths throughthe park that make it a great place for dogs who like to run beside bikes and roller-blades. Mile Square Park located between Warner Avenue, Brookhurst St, Edinger Avenue, and Euclid Street in Fountain Valley is a great place to explore with your dogs.

Newfoundland Dogs

The Newfoundland Dog loves children and water. These giant dogs have carried life lines to shipwreck victims and rescued potential drowning victims. The Newfoundland Dog has a sweet disposition and is a wonderful companion. The great size and strength of the Newfoundland Dog along with his deep voice make him a good watch dog.

Newfoundland Dogs enjoy being with people and other animals. These dogs require frequent grooming and are house dogs. Newfoundlands should not be left alone in a back yard. This breed is not for people who do not like dog hair, or are bothered by a little dog slobber.

Dining wth Dogs in Orange County

We enjoy outside dining with our Newfoundland Dogs, at restaurants in Orange County, during all four seasons. Pearl and Jewel are very good at doing the down stay and do not try to steal food, so they are welcome to join us for lunch or dinner.

One of our favorite restaurants is The Lazy Dog Cafe located in Huntington Beach on Beach Blvd, near the 405 Fwy. The Lazy Dog Cafe is a dog theme restaurant. Pictures of dogs cover the walls. The bar area is shaped like a dog house. Mints in a bowl at the front desk are shaped like dog bones. If you order an ice cream sundae, it may come in a dog bowl. The menu has something for everyone and the patio is very nice.

Arriba in Fountain Valley on Brookhurst Street, near Talbert Avenue, is another one of our favorite restaurants. The food is healthy Mexican style and they have an outside eating area. You order your food at the counter and then you can watch your food being prepared. The kitchen is visible and very clean. After you receive your food, you can dine outside with your canine friends at the picnic tables.

Huntington Central Park is home to a great place to dine with dogs. There is a restaurant called The Park Bench Cafe located inside the park on Goldenwest Street, between Slater and Talbert. All the tables are outside on the grass. Dog Lovers can be seen having breakfast and lunch with their canine companions at their feet. This park is a great place to walk with your dogs and there is a dog park on the other side of the park near Huntington Lake.