Approximately 2 miles west of the Del Mar Racetrack is a stretch of coastline called River Mouth Beach. This is a special beach it is a doggie beach, people optional. This beach is one of the few remaining dog beaches along the California coast. River Mouth Beach hosts two seasons for dogs: an off-leash and on-leash season. Off-leash season starts October 1 and ends March 31, on-leash season runs from April to September during these months all dogs must be on a leash...what a pity, without a doubt, off-leash season is the most enjoyable time for master (’s) and dog (‘s).

Butt Sniffing

As a first time owner of a dog I found doggie beach to be a learning experience. Getting my dog into my truck, driving to the beach, dog jumping out of truck, then running after a small dog. The lady with the little dog was a bit putout with me I don’t blame her. My black Lab/Chow mix is a big dog. He didn’t hurt her dog he just wanted to smell the little things butt. Butt sniffing is what dogs do in any situation. It’s their way of saying hello. Dogs don’t discriminate either, dog butt, human butt it’s all the same to them. I soon learned the markings of assaulted humans, as I too became a victim. First rule of thumb, never wear good clothes to doggie beach. To avoid being torpedoed; one should stay away from doggie beach.

Size Doesn’t Matter  

At Doggie Beach, dogs can dominate or are dominated, size doesn’t matter. They think they are all big dogs. I’ve seen it go both ways, sad thing too to see a little dog bully a big dog. Another thing to avoid at doggie beach is sunbathing. As soon as you lay down your dog or someone else’s dog will walk or shake wet sand all over you. My dog rubs up against me whenever he is  wet, which is all the time I think he thinks it is funny. I climbed a lifeguard latter to escape his loving rubs. On the way up Sparky saw me, he grabbed my pants leg and pulled me down. Then he ran at me and flung his wet body up against mine several times. The dog assault taught me not to go up where he couldn’t follow. Temper, temper! I yelled at him, You don’t kill your master!   I don’t think he understood.

Dog Toys

All toys at Doggie Beach become community property once they leave the Master’s hand. Dogs don’t understand ownership they only understand possession. Yes, all day long you can see Masters running up and down the beach trying to retrieve their dog’s toy from other dogs. I have to laugh, stupid Masters, they should leave the toys at home. Masters chase dog toys more then their dogs do. At Doggie Beach dogs aren’t interested in chasing toys anyway. They are only interested in one thing and that is butts and crotches. You want the ball you get the ball. Wise up Masters!

 Food

Some dogs like to run in packs at doggie beach. Food is usually the catalyst for this behavior. Stupid Masters! When will you learn not to bring food to the beach? Now your lunch is gone and you have to cleanup Styrofoam blowing down the beach. You should never bring food to doggie beach and leave it unguarded! Shame on you! Bad Master! Bad! Now clean up that mess. And another thing you don’t bring infants to doggie beach—some of the less intelligent dogs think they are hams so don’t take

chances. Leave the babies at home!

Floating Logs

 This is not tree branches, it is waste from over zealous dogs who eliminate in the ocean. Why do DOGS do this? I do not know; but if your dog does it you have to clean it up. Fair enough, but how? It’s floating and a wave just broke behind it and now it is tumbling toward your legs. What do you do? You run for the shore. Do you warn people on the way, no they did not warn you; turnabout is fair play. There are risks to coming to Doggie Beach and this is just one of them.

Attitudes

All dogs have attitudes, some good, some bad like their master's. Dogs are sociable animals they like to sniff, tag things and some confused dogs or excitable dogs like to jump on other dogs and form a conga line.  Up and down the beach one can hear the angry voices of master's shouting leash your dog, leash your dog! If I have to hear that one more time I will scream! Get a grip learn to recognize playing from fighting you dumb people my dog Sparky is only playing.

Time to Go Home

As the sun sets into the sea Masters and their dog (‘s) head for home; they are hungry, tired, wet, cold and sandy--- both Master and dog (‘s). I think you both

 need a bath; maybe they  should leave the windows down and go through a car wash. Not so perky now are you?

Rewards Of Bring Your Dog to Doggie Beach

Do you know that your dog has been drinking Saltwater all day because you forgot to bring water for him to drink?. Look how thirsty he is he keeps drinking and drinking not understanding why he is still thirsty. Bad Master you should remember to bring water. Now your dog is going to thank you for bring him to doggie beach. It starts with a gagging motion then up comes sea foam, sand, someone’s lunch, and part of a ball. Your car seats smell like bile with a hint of dead seagull. Bad Master! You should have brought fresh water and a blanket for your dog. Your dog is cold and wet and shivering. He hates you. Now go home, wash him off, dry him and think ahead next time. Only then will your dog give you a different reward. Bye-bye now from Doggie Beach in Del Mar California.

The End

Written by: Cynthia E. Martin

Date: Summer 1996  

Edited by: George Naanes

Copyright © 2001 Visions West Inc. All rights reserved.

Last Updated: 01/14/02 05:02:24 PM