Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley, CA Blog

Loki

We’ve already made some fantastic furry friends, like Mindy to Maltese, Kodi the Boxer and Loki the (adorable) Norwegian Elkhound. Our playrooms are open, we’re adding our final touches and our amazing staff is ready to play and pamper your pup!

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow – Saturday, August 22nd from 10am – 2pm for our Grand Opening!

We’ll take you and your dog on a tour of beautiful new facility in Pleasanton; complete with three playrooms where your dog will be free to romp and play to their heart’s content and a relaxing spa. We can sign your dog up for their first day and we’ll even waive the evaluation fee of $15!

After your tour please stay to grab a bite to eat, mingle with other area dog lovers and speak with some of the Tri-Valley’s best pet organizations!

We’ll thrilled to be joined by:

Four Paws Rescue
Valley Humane Society
Pawsitive Karma Holistic Pet Boutique & Spa
Tonya Perme – Pet Photography specialist
Fun Dawgs Dog Friendly Training & Behavior Modification – now offering training at Dogtopia!

Please phone 925-22K-9DOG with any questions and we’ll see you there!

Will you enter the “blogosphere?” Dare you step towards one of the hottest virtual phenomenons/trends since YouTube that is internet blogging? “Sure!” we said collectively at Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley. We hope you’ve enjoyed our little blog so far, found it entertaining, informational and… inspirational?!”

Valley Humane Society's Melissa Bonnel runs the VHS blog. "I decided to start volunteering because animals are my passion," she says. "Speedo (the cat) and Abby (pictured on right) are my main reasons why I decided to start volunteering and helping save animals."

Melissa Bonnel apparently did. The Animal Care Assistant at Valley Humane Society claims seeing our blog for the first time inspired her to create and maintain one for the aforementioned non-profit rescue organization. So, very humbly and proudly at the same time, we say GO CHECK OUT VHS‘s BLOG!!

“The blog’s main purpose is to keep everybody updated on things happening at the VHS shelter,” Melissa says. “It mostly includes adoption updates and adoption follow-up updates. I also post events, such as “Great Catsby” and Wiggle Waggle Dog Wash on it, so hopefully the public can be more aware of what is going on.”

Speaking of VHS’s “Great Catsby,” it’s not too late to buy a ticket online or in person for the July 18 fund raising event with a “Roaring-20‘s” twist! Tickets are $75 each and include dinner, two drink tickets, valet parking and $200 in gambling chips. “The best part about it that all the money raised goes directly to the animals,“ Melissa says. “We are counting down the days! It’s really going to be a fabulous night!”

As for us at Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley, well we are NOW OPEN! Visit our website and schedule an orientation for your dog now!

"Gangster Style" for a good cause. Visit www.valleyhumane.org to buy a ticket for VHS's the Great Catsby on July 18!

So I have come to an interesting realization over the last few days. Mind you, it’s not one of those life-altering realizations – like, let’s say, the first time having to pay taxes… it’s more of an ironic, coincidental thing.

I do believe everyone I know moved over the Fourth of July weekend. OK, maybe not everyone, but still! Three of my friends from Livermore are moving across town, my aunt and uncle are moving to Rocklin, and Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley is moving into our brand-new, awesome-looking home… It’s times like this I’m glad I own a Mitsubishi Eclipse with limited trunk space and barely enough room for two people instead of a truck! Still, it was a very rewarding and productive, albeit tired, weekend!

No! Not the "Collar of Shame!" Doug the Dog is one of my favorite character's in Disney Pixar's latest movie, right up there with "Kevin the bird" simpily (yes) because it's name is Kevin

I also took my grandma to see the movie “UP” for her 87th birthday. You might ask why that’s significant, but it’s the first movie she has gone to see in theaters since “The Little Mermaid” back when I was like 10 (I’m now 26). It was an awesome day and, for those who still haven’t seen it, GO! Up is an awesome movie, especially for dog-lovers! I believe Disney Pixar actually visited a few different dog daycare facilities to study dog behavior and mannerisms and, in my opinion, did a great job.

On the topic of movies, I refuse to go see “Transformers 2″ like the rest of the world and I really want to see “Public Enemies.” I mention that only because it transitions nicely to my adventure this past Wednesday where I dressed up like a gangster and headed down to the First Wednesday Street Party in Downtown Pleasanton to help promote Valley Humane Society’s upcoming “Great Catsby” casino night fundraiser on July 18.

Man, that was a blast, and I’m going to predict this event will be, too. They are going to have valet parking, dancing girls, great dinner and drinks, and an optional poker tournament. Best yet, it’s all for a great cause. Heck, I will totally buy a ticket for myself… assuming that a) I can get that evening off from work… and b) I’m not helping someone move!

Kevin Metz
Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley

We are thrilled to have Debbie Hudgens, Sammy (left) and Rio (right) joining the Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley family!

Hello and happy 4^th of July to all. For all those who have four-legged loved ones that may not be so happy on the fourth, I recommend a herbal-based, all-natural product called “Rescue Remedy.” I have used it on several occasions, and it works very well. The product can be found at pet boutiques and some health food stores. I know that Marilyn and Robin, the owners of Pawsitive Karma in Castro Valley, have stocked up.

Please accept my apology for the delay in opening Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley. We should be able to open next week. That being said, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Thomson Construction, Inc. for their hard work and diligence. They took “ownership” of the project and, as a result, we have a beautiful facility that we are excited to share with all of our friends. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Joyce Cunningham of NAI BT (Commercial Real Estate). She has been there for me since day one, pursued all avenues and never gave up. She’s a rock star!!

I am also extremely happy and excited to announce a new member to our Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley family. Debbie Hudgens has joined us as a full partner. Debbie has decided to “shed” the “corporate” world and venture into the crazy world of owning a small business. She has a passion for and loves animals, especially dogs. You’ll be seeing quite a bit of her and her two lab mix rescues, Rio and Sammy.

We are working diligently on preparing the store for our July 11 opening date. We want to make extra sure our facility is a safe, fun and HAPPY place for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Denise Caruso
Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley

Hi there! My name’s Kevin and I am a proud member of the Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley team! Chances are you haven‘t met me yet, but if you have watched the “Sally’s Journey” video posted online earlier this week, then you have already met three of my dogs – Sally, Marylin and Carly. Well – actually only Sally is mine. Marylin and Carly are both foster dogs looking for good homes and, yes, Carly is really that crazy about half the time! The other half (like right now, as I write this thing), she just usually lays at (sometimes on) our feet and dreams about whatever it is she dreams about!

Filming Sally’s Journey last month was definitely an interesting experience. I can say that squat-running around with a small camera and a stuffed dog (dog nose cam, I call it) certainly has its challenges. Filming the actual dogs did. too – they tend to dictate the shot and rarely follow direction, lol.

I came up with the idea of Sally trying to find her happiness because a) it struck me from the get-go that Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley is going to have a happy kind of vibe to it and b) my Sally dog is known for having this hilarious “sucking worms look,” as we call it, for no apparent reason unbeknown to herself. She’s part hound, and when she droops her head down while “in her mood,” she looks almost like a sad vulture (for you Peanuts fans out there, just check out how Charles Schulz drew Snoopy, also a beagle).

On the left, we have Sally during Christmas two years ago wishing she didn't have that jingle colar on... and on the right, we have "vulture Snoopy." See the resemblance?

Gotta love the Peanuts! Anyway, dogs have always been, and continue to be, a big part of my life. For the past 15 years, so has animal rescue. My family and I are members of Tri-Valley Animal Rescue, where we have rescued and found homes for over 200 dogs through the years. Granted, sometimes the home we found was our own, and many a dog have become members of the official “Metz pack.”

With each of those dogs comes a story, a funny or a touching moment that any dog-lover can relate to. I hope this blog will serve as a platform to share with you some of those stories. Likewise, I hope you will share your dog “tails” on here, too.  Comments and stories are always welcome and will be posted .

And when Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley opens its doors on Saturday, July 11th (updated opening date!), you better believe there will be more fun dog stories to tell each and every week. Who knows, your pup may even have a starring role! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to wake up a big black lab who is sleeping on my feet!

Kevin Metz
Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Construction is nearing completion at Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley as Dogtopia of the Tri-valley opens its doors for business on Saturday, July 11! Words can’t even begin to convey how excited we are to FINALLY open. The Dogtopia staff is looking forward to meeting new friends and re-visiting old acquaintances.

During a meeting early last week, I was asked if I had to do “it” all over again, would I? I did not hesitate a second in my answer. It was a resounding YES! I had no idea three years ago that a recession was looming on the horizon. However, it didn’t take long to realize the cards were stacked against this venture when the economy took a giant nose dive. Still, I couldn’t give up the dream. That just wasn’t an option.

Through adversity, this is one dream that will come to fruition, and I am truly grateful for the show of support we’ve received from all of you in the community. In particular, I would like to acknowledge our General Contractor, Thomson Construction, Inc. The facility is beautiful. The talented and multi-faceted crew are doing a wonderful job, and for that I am extremely grateful!

Please check out our website for upcoming training classes (agility coming in September), Sunday afternoon puppy socials, fundraisers and other fun stuff for the entire family!

Thank you again for your support. We are looking forward to meeting you soon!

Denise Caruso
Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley

Introducing Hannah and Sampson, the loves of Denise' life and the real ones in charge (so they think)! Full of excitement, fun and energy, you can bet these two Jack Russels will consistently be topics of conversation in Denise' new blog series. Check back each week for a new posting!

Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley is on YouTube! CLICK HERE to join Sally the hound dog as she, with a little help from her two- and four-legged friends, embarks on an epic journey through Pleasanton to find and discover her ultimate happiness.

In Part 1 of 3, Sally visits our friends at Valley Humane Society, Marylin reminds us that sometimes its the little things that make us happy, and Carly the crazy black lab gets ready for her trip to Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley.

Look for Part 2 and 3 soon, along with other fun videos from Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley in the future! Thank you for watching, and feel free to leave feedback and comments about what makes your dog happy!

- Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley

There’s a sense of constructopia in the air over on Johnson Drive in Pleasanton as Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley enters the “tail-end” of construction! The walls are up and painted, the door frames have been sanded, prepped and installed, and the tile in the front lobby is more than ready for hundreds of fuzzy paws to walk all over it.

“And I’m more than ready to go to Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley! Can I get a ride?”

Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley wants to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at the First Wednesday Street Party in Downtown Pleasanton yesterday! We made a lot of  new two- and four-legged friends and are very grateful for the great reception we received!

From Buddy, the eight-year-old yellow lab who speaks and does tricks on command, to the brother-sister pair of Pomeranian and sooo many more , there was quite the mix of dogs paying us a visit.

We even had a miniature pony at the booth next to us and a cameo appearance from Sally, a special pup that will be starring in the upcoming 3-part series, Sally’s Journey, The Road to Happiness.”

Check back in the coming week to view part 1 of the series online, where Sally visits our friends at Valley Humane Society, and to get additional information on when we will be opening!

Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley's Karen Antone and Kevin Metz hold down the fort at the booth during the First Wednesday Street Party in Downtown Pleasanton. Karen did an amazing job making countless balloon dogs for our younger visitors, while Kevin made a valiant but unsuccessful effort to learn Karen's ways. Rest assured, Kevin will do a much better job with your real dogs than the balloon counterparts!

Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley is pleased to introduce dog-lover and certified trainer, Toni Lee Hage, to our team. Toni brings years of professional experience and a keen understanding of dog behavior and training to Dogtopia of the Tri-Valley. She will also bring fun and creative training class options for you and your pup to our new facility when we open this summer, as well as frequent and helpful information and literature right here on this blog!

“I believe in a fun and humane approach based on experience, scientific research, and proven training and behavior modification methodologies,” says Toni.

She says she began training dogs at the age of 12, but that it was the adoption of SuSu, a one-year-old dog stray with a plethora of behavioral quirks, that training became her lifelong passion.

“More than any other living being, she has taught me the most about dog behavior,” she says. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!’ That’s my vision – to help you and your dog ‘make lemonade’ by learning how to have fun together and overcome undesirable behavior.”

We sure are happy to have her! For more information about Toni or to contact her, visit her “FunDawgs” website by CLICKING HERE!