All Things Dogs in Soquel

This is a place that loves its dogs. Big dogs. Little dogs. Fancy breeds. Mutts.

On Sunday at the Fetch a Wave Dog Festival in Soquel, amid the foreboding clouds that occasionally sent everyone running for cover, hundreds of people streamed in with their dressed-up dogs. It was a day of frolic and fun. 

I was there with my rescue dog, Chancey, and by the time I left, I was bogged down with bags of free stuff that weighed twice as much as my 5-pound min pin. He was exhilarated after sniffing so many new friends, and I was inspired, convinced that I’d found a community full of volunteers who care deeply about the canines in their midst.

Here’s a rundown of some of those efforts, all good causes, on display at the dog festival:

• Coastal Dog Owners, aka C-DOG, has put on this festival for 10 years. It’s a nonprofit that raises money for animals in need and gives grants to local animal programs and college scholarships.

• Annie’s Blankets is a volunteer-run organization that collects old blankets and towels and gives them new life with local rescue groups and animal shelters. 

• Peace of Mind Dog Rescue takes in senior dogs from animal shelters that have a poor chance of adoption—and dogs of any age from seniors in the community or from those who have died. It also helps seniors and hospice patients keep their beloved pets in their homes. 

• is a literacy program for young readers and trained therapy dogs, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Capitola Branch Library. 

I started this blog asking the question, How Do You Get Involved in This Town, and this festival certainly gave me bow-wows for thought. But I’m such a sucker. Over the years, I’ve adopted at least a dozen dogs, five cats, two horses, several hamsters and a goat.

And Sunday? I wanted to take home every dog I saw—from the cocker spaniel wearing heart-shaped sunglasses to the orphaned Pomeranian mix to the spooning pit bull therapy dog.   

It’s best I just write a check for this one.