Our fourth annual "My Best Friend's Brunch" fundraiser is set for Sunday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us!

Once again, MBFB will be held at Tivoli Too on Laguna Canyon Road. For those of you who have ventured to the art festivals that opened last week, Tivoli Too is the site of the Art-A-Fair. And once again, our thanks and undying appreciation go out to June Neptune for furnishing this amazing venue and offering us truly world-class service and hospitality. June, you are simply the BEST!

Stay tuned for more details as the date gets closer, and in the meantime, note that...

While experience is welcome, none is necessary. We need volunteers to help with planning and organizing, to solicit donations for the raffle, to get the word out, and to lend a hand at the event itself. If you are willing, we will be able to accept your help! Whatever amount of time you have to give will be greatly appreciated - every effort counts, large or small. Jump on in - this is your chance to shine, make a difference, and have fun with other dedicated dog lovers while you're at it!

contactus@lbdogpark.org or (949) 910-9947

We received dozens of fantastic photo submissions for our first calendar. Stay tuned...the calendar will be ready this month, and will be available online and alos at My Best Friend's Brunch. Thanks to everyone who sent the wonderful pictures of their best friends!

Our third annual “My Best Friend’s Brunch” fundraiser was held in October. And while it didn’t quite match the financial success of the first two brunches (which each raised over $10,000 for the park and other animal welfare efforts), given these troubled economic times, its success was phenomenal. We raised over $7,500, which enabled us to make contributions to organizations in critical need (there are many these days), and still set some money aside for our 2009 park projects.

As usual, the animal-loving community stepped up with enthusiasm and generosity, and not a single Laguna Beach merchant turned us down when asked for a donation. And of course, we can never say enough about June Neptune and the team at Tivoli, without whom we would be lost! Once again, we had a full house, a lively raffle and a competitive silent auction. It was remarkable.

Our thanks and gratitude go out to our awesome team of volunteers, and all of you who opened your hearts and wallets for a great cause. We look forward to seeing all of you again in 2009!

Join us for the 43rd Annual Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 7th.  FLBDP will marching in the parade – it’s a LOT of fun, come along!  

The theme for 2009 is E Pluribus Unum.  The parade associations says, “Its original meaning reflected the union of the many colonies and states into one nation.  We believe that today this theme also aptly expresses how many diverse peoples in our land have come together to form a single people and nation.”

We think the same can be said about the people and dogs of FLBDP!  Diverse people and breeds coming together at our fabulous park!  Call 949-910-9947 or contactus@lbdogpark.org to join in.  More details will follow as the date gets closer.

This new clinic is being founded by Laguna Beach residents Matthew and Blythe Wheaton as part of their larger effort, The Pet Rescue Center. Check both out at www.thepetrescuecenter.org and www.affordablespays.com. Matt is a local vet who has operated the Alicia Pet Care Center in Laguna Hills for several years. Now, they are opening the Affordable Spay & Neuter Clinic (ASN) as a facility specifically dedicated to offering low-cost but high quality spay and neuter services to local rescue groups and pet owners in need. The Wheatons have undertaken an important and ambitious effort. FLBDP is pleased to support them, and we hope you will, too. Visit the websites and spread the word!

Oh, and did we mention that the Wheatons first met at none other than…the Laguna Beach Dog Park!