Welcome to Bay Woof, March 2021

Hello Dog Lovers!

We hope you’re feeling the air of spring just around the corner. With the ramping-up of the Covid-19 vaccine distribution and economic recovery on the way, the budding blooms in our parks and in our hearts have more meaning than usual. 

Here in the Bay Area we’re moving closer to the time for more businesses to begin reopening, and many trainers and dog walkers are continuing to adapt to the ever-changing rules and regs for operating safely. Bay Woof’s March issue is traditionally a “dog-friendly travel” edition, but since no one is going anywhere far afield just yet, we’re focusing instead on travels close to home.

This month’s features include GoDogPro’s Ren Volpe’s “In Praise of Boring Dog Walks” - a great piece about the importance of one-on-one time with your pal. Long-time dog and dog-park advocate Steffen Franz visits the freshly refurbished Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area and shares his review. And Diane Livoti of Metro Dog offers timely tips to prepare your dog for your eventual leave-taking, whether it’s a long-deferred vacation or just back to the office grind. 

Our March columns are filled with advice from local dog pros, always a great source for the latest news in health, animal welfare, and general fun with your dog. Check out the informative pieces by Dr. Mila Golovko of SAGE; Liz Williams with HighTail Hikes; Nina Irani, chair of the SF Animal Commission; and Steph Haddad of Good-Sit. And don’t miss the happy-ending tales of rock-star rescue dogs as told by Karen Todoroff with Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue (you may need a tissue). 

The usual suspects round out the rest of the issue. BW editor S. Emerson Moffat rounds up dog news from near and far in Nose for News. Amy Luwis’ Red & Howling brings us a surprisingly serious cartoon about poison prevention. And our very own Mr. Smarty Pants Knows offers furry facts to know and tell - sure to come in handy on that next Zoom “party” when you need to say something. 

As we move on to the spring season, there’s quite a bit of actual moving going on in town, with SFACC’s San Francisco’s animal shelter setting up in its swanky new digs at 1419 Bryant Street. Our city’s remaining 24/7 emergency vet clinic, AIMSS (Animal Internal Medicine Specialists), has also relocated to the same ‘hood, taking over the state of the art facility formerly occupied by SF Vet Specialists at 600 Alabama Street. 

But moving’s not for everyone. You might rather curl up on the couch for a good dog movie with your furry best date. Lucky for you, STRAY opens tomorrow at (virtual) theaters. This Magnolia Pictures’ release is a beautiful, street-dog’s-eye-view of life in Istanbul. It’s a meditative stroll at dog-level with our hero Zeytin and pals, Nazar and Kartal, as they meander the streets seeking food and shelter, doing their best to avoid the problematic dogs and humans, and sticking close to the kinder ones. Bay Woof had a chance to catch an early stream and gives it a definite two paws up. Catch the trailer here or book tickets for a special drive-in event at Fort Mason on March 10.

Finally, this issue marks the anniversary of the very first edition of Bay Woof, which debuted back in March 2007. Through all the trials and tribulations of the last 14 years (that’s 98 in dog years), we’re so grateful to still be in front of your eyes and in your hearts. 

Whether you’re romping in fields of clover or a redwood forest or just going as far as your neighborhood park, may spring’s renewal shower you with hope, beauty, and love for each other and our pups. Happy reading and tail wagging to you all!

– M Rocket, Publisher

About the cover: Philo in Golden Gate Park, photo by M Rocket, © Bay Woof 2021

Columns from the March Pack