Calling all dog-loving Arizona Diamondbacks fans — On Sunday May 27, you can bring your dog to Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to watch the baseball game with you.
Last year, about 200 dogs came to Bark in the Park. This year, the Diamondbacks are hoping for double that number of dogs. Five dollars of every ticket goes to the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
What’s the catch? Act fast. You have to buy your tickets in advance and register your dog with the D’backs. Here’s the paperwork.
I talked with the Diamondbacks today and they said tickets were going fast.
I’m not bringing the Beagle to this one. The last time she went to a ballgame she kept trying to tackle the guys who walk down the aisles hawking food. She nearly nailed the nachos guy. I have always thought, however, that having an elite team of Beagles working as a clean-up crew would save the Diamondbacks a ton of money. There wouldn’t be any peanut shells or half-eaten hot dogs or pretzels in the place.
A pessimist would say that it’s getting hot in Phoenix; an optimist would point out that it’s getting to be perfect pool weather. Pessimist, optimist – doesn’t matter — everybody in the pool, including dogs (ok, most dogs, the Beagle is a sinker; not a swimmer).
The pool is a great place for your dog to get some exercise without the risk of getting overheated. Here are a couple pool pointers:
Know thy dog: Not all dogs are natural swimmers; dogs drown in backyard pools so it’s important to know your dogs and keep an eye on them around the pool. Like the rest of us, they can tire out with all of the festivities.
Ear’s to you: Dogs who swim are very susceptible to ear infections. If your dog is going to be the canine version of Michael Phelps, talk with your vet about getting ear drops.
Rinse repeat: Rinse your dog off after a swim with fresh water to get the chlorine off of his coat and skin, if you don’t, his skin might get dried out and irritated. Make sure to dry the dog’s ears well to ward off ear infections.
Mark the territory: Make sure your dog is able to get out of the pool themselves. They should know where the steps are; consider marking the steps with a plant because dogs have poor depth perception and may not be able to judge distances.
Don’t drink the (pool) water: Avoid letting your dog drink pool water. Keep a supply of fresh water as an alternative to pool water. Your dog may be peeing more since he is likely drinking from the pool as well as any other water source he can find.
Check the deck: The concrete deck around your pool can chew up your dog’s nails and pads. Keep an eye on them during the summer.
Think smaller: Don’t have a swimming pool? Blow up the plastic wading pool. The dog can enjoy sloshing around in it and cooling off his tootsies.
Or in central Phoenix there’s the Chihuahua talent show at Aunt Chilada’s restaurant. In addition to having delicious chips and salsa, Aunt Chilada’s has long been a dog-friendly restaurant.
Speaking of dog-friendly restaurants, we’ve got a number of dog-friendly restaurants, including Salty Senorita and others, that are sure to be great places to down a margarita or two.
It’s free. Your dog is welcome. There are going to be dogs doing amazing things. And there’s air conditioning.
What more could you want?
The Phoenix Pet Expo is going to be this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. . It’s at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale and your leashed dog is welcome. There are going to be a lot of people selling things (myself included) but there’s also great shows featuring dog agility trials, daschund racing and flyball. Don’t know what flyball is — check out the videos. It’s dogs running really fast but in a very organized way and it is a hoot to watch.
There’s also free nail trims, low-cost vaccinations and chances to adopt rescue dogs.
Should be a ton of fun — did I mention the racing weiner dogs and the flyball?
Looking for a different place for you and the dog to explore this weekend in the Valley?
Check out Tempe Town Lake, which now is especially pleasant in the evening — your leashed dog is welcome there. There is a walking path around the lake stocked with dog water bowls and poop-bag stations. But it’s a good idea to bring extra water — it can be a distance between dog-watering stations. Feel free to bike or rollerblade with your dog as well.
And dogs, being dogs, do get in the water. Unlike Gilbert’s Cosmo Park where there’s a dock for dogs to dive off, Tempe Town Lake discourages dogs from frolicking in the water. Dogs are allowed on private boats, however, so your buddy can become your furry first mate.
On the west end, the lake can be as deep as 18 feet; the east end is much shallower at seven feet.
Tired of having the dog hog the sofa while you are trying to watch a movie? Head on down to Urban Beans in central Phoenix for its “Movie and a Dog’’ night on the third Monday, which is April 16. The show starts at twilight.
This month’s showing “Best in Show’’ – perhaps the finest dog movie ever made. Consider Fred Willard as dog show announcer Buck Laughlin: “Now tell me, which one of these dogs would you want to have as your wide receiver on your football team?”
Making it even better Short Leash Hot Dogs will be on the scene serving up their extraordinarily yummy dogs.
A big thank you to Changing Hands for having us come and speak last night.
The Beagle came with and was an angel. During my talk, she curled up in her bed and slept. I didn’t take it personally; she has heard the speech before.
She wasn’t the only dog in attendance. There was Paisley the Bulldog who was also a perfect guest.
In honor of this soggy Sunday, I was going to write about the origin of “raining cats and dogs” but it turns out the origin of a the phrase is a little obscure and possibly grisly — check it out.
The storms upset all of our plans for the weekend and there’s nothing like the smell of a dog who has been drenched in a downpour but I think all of us who live in this desert are secretly delighted by the rain
The Beagle and I were all set to go to Surprise this Sunday for Bring Your Dog to the Ball Park Day at Surprise Stadium.
Now the forecasters say there is a 95-percent chance of rain. Ninety-five percent. Have you ever heard of such a high percentage before? Sixty, 70 percent, sure, but 95! Jeez.
So, all we can do is keep everything crossed and hope for a gorgeous day, or at least the rain to wait until the seventh-inning stretch.
But…. it looks like there is a Bark in the Park for the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 27. I guess we will have to wait just a little bit longer to take in a game.
Friends of Animal Care and Control help fund free spay and neuter services through Maricopa County Animal Care & Control’s Spay Neuter Assistance Program.
Just think your consumption of Zombies, Mai Tai and sweet potato fries can help control pet overpopulation. And your dogs are welcome on Hula’s patio — just don’t rely on them to be designated drivers.
Calling all dog-loving Arizona Diamondbacks fans — On Sunday May 27, you can bring your dog to Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to watch the baseball game with you.
A big thank you to 
Sigh.
Looking for something fun place to hang out with your dog? If you come to 
