Today is Dog Day Afternoon for Local Pets, Owners

It’s that time of year again—time for my favorite SAMLARC event. No, it’s not the SAMLARC annual meeting on Tuesday, March 29—which I also plan to attend. It’s time to dress Princess Ginger Monster up and have her walk me to Solana Park for SAMLARC’s 4th Annual Dog Day Afternoon event on Saturday, March 26, from 1-4 p.m.

initially held this event at Monte Vista Park. This day for dogs proved so popular that it was moved to the larger Solana Park site last year. 

Even though the grass is wet this year because of the rain—the event will go on and will be better than ever—according to Annmarie Hysler, SAMLARC’s Community Lifestyle Manager, who sent me a last minute message declaring that she “just moved all of the booths to the parking lot so no muddy paws!!” Hysler also noted that the “dogs will like the cooler weather.”

All four of RSM’s dog daycare providers will be there—Dog Daycare at Grandma's House, , and —along with Ginger’s favorite place to shop in RSM: Trabuco Marketplace’s .

Other vendor booths with promotions such as giveaways and fun games include: OC Raw Dog, Paaawz Pet Sitting, Dog Art Classes, Vets for Your Pet - Dr. Leslie Dow, While U R Away, The Washed Paw, Adopt-A-Saint, Cookie Einstein, Denise's Pet Products, and Dog Treat Buffet.

There’s a Kids Zone with bounce houses, face painting and a photo booth where Clifford the Big Red Dog will be in attendance—kids and dogs can have their picture taken with him. The food court has Kettle Korn Express, Dandy Cotton Candy, Kurt's Hot Dog Catering and Screamin' Ice Cream for the kid in all of us.

As always, the event will have an agility course for dogs sponsored by Wags & Wiggles. 

For dogs (or cats) in need of vaccines, now is the time to do it. Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinic will be providing low cost vaccines—the legally required Rabies vaccine is only $7. Another important service the clinic provides is AVID microchips. The $28 price includes registration, lifetime monitoring and 24/7 lost and found assistance. Be sure to bring money with you for this “cash only” service.

 ’s booth will provide convenient dog licensing—also legally required. I highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity.

is likely to make me participate in at least one of the dog contests that begin at 2 pm. First and second prizes will be awarded to winners of talent, costume, most beautiful (by weight), dog/owner look-a-likes and the ugliest dogs.

If you see me there, please say hello and let me know that you read about it on Rancho Santa Margarita Patch.