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Red Tides at Fort Funston

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Apr 1, 2018 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

Have you seen the Red Tides at Fort Funston?

If you have been out to Fort Funston, you might have been lucky enough to see an unusual red color in the water.  Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon more correctly known as an algal bloom. These algae are plant-like organisms that can form dense, visible patches near the water’s surface.

Some red tides are associated with the production of natural toxins, depletion of dissolved oxygen or other harmful effects, and are generally described as harmful algal blooms. The most conspicuous effects of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities among marine and coastal species of fish, birds, and marine mammals.  This is probably why there were dead crabs on the beach a couple of days before the red tide showed it’s face to us.

At this point, it is unknown if the red tide is toxic to dogs and humans, but some surfers have stated that they have been sick after being out in this water.  The red color will disappear once the conditions change.

Sea Foam at Fort Funston

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Mar 24, 2018 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

If you have been wondering about the origin of the foam you can often find on the beach during the summer, it has noting to do with soap suds.It is caused by the decaying remains of microscopic organisms in the sea.

Every spring the ocean has sudden bursts of life. Phytoplankton bloom starts at the end of March. After a couple of weeks tiny algae like diatoms occur in such numbers that the water becomes yellow-brown.

Black Sand at Fort Funston

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Feb 24, 2018 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

So, what is that black stuff on the beach in Fort Funston? Is it oil left over from the Cosco Busan spill? No, in fact it is the chalky substance-veins of volcanic ash thrown from Mount Lassen thousands of years ago. After all of our heavy storms this winter, most of the top layer of silica sand had been blown or washed away to leave dark colored streaks on the beaches. This black sand is a kind of iron ore called magnetite. The magnetite is a part of the cliff walls, and as the sandstone erodes, it leaves the heavier iron-based magnetite on the beach.

Black sand can be seen as a layer on top of silica sand in regions with high wave energy. This weight enables it to remain when high-energy waves wash the lighter sand grains out into the surf zone.

Take a magnet with you to the beach and run it through the sand, magnetite will stick to the ends. The dark minerals in beach sand at right, from Fort Funston are primarily magnetite and amphiboles, which are non-magnetic black minerals. Both of these mineral types tend to fracture into very small grains that collect on the surface of the sand, by virtue of being smaller and, therefore, lighter.

UPDATE: Good News! GGNRA dog management plan is permanently OVER!

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Jan 16, 2018 ·

Posted by the San Francisco Dog Walker
On December 27, 2017, the Federal Register posted notice of the withdrawal of Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s (GGNRA) Dog Management Proposed Rule and termination of the associated Environmental Impact Statement. These notices complete the necessary steps to permanently end the environmental planning and related rulemaking process intended to establish a new regulation on dog management. With this notice, the NPS has now cancelled that planning process and terminated the associated NEPA and rulemaking processes such that no final rule will be issued. The Federal Register notices are posted in the GGNRA reading room.
GGNRA will continue to enforce existing pet regulations detailed in a 1979 pet policy and the Superintendent’s Compendium. The current regulations allow visitors to walk managed dogs under voice or leash control in specific areas of the park.
The nationwide National Park Service regulation requiring dogs to be on-leash will apply to areas not covered by the 1979 policy. GGNRA’s Superintendent’s Compendium also reflects two special regulations that modify the 1979 pet policy for parts of Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. The interim permit requirement for commercial dog walkers and the associated limit of number of dogs walked at one-time continues to remain in effect. Existing pet regulations are available here.
For questions, please call GGNRA Dog Information line at 415-561-4728 or email goga_dogmgt@nps.gov.

(taken directly from the GGNRA website)

WoofieLeaks Reveals Bias in GGNRA Dog Plan

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Dec 28, 2017 ·

Posted by the San Francisco Dog Walker

San Francisco Bay Area dog groups are suing the government over their plan to eliminate dog walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area – GGNRA.  They have launched WoofieLeaks an online website where information exposes a biased federal process which shows contempt for those who dared to stand in the way.

tough times for San Francisco dog walkers in the GGNRA

Tough times for San Francisco Dog Walkers in the GGNRA.

Many of the documents on WoofieLeaks.com raise serious questions regarding a fair planning process. The emails and internal documents were obtained as part of a federal lawsuit for failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.

Morrison & Foerster says these emails and documents are just the tip of the iceberg, pointing out the agency may be withholding a stockpile of emails. For instance, Howard Levitt, the GGNRA’s former Director of Communications and Partnerships, can’t “recall” his password to an email system prior to 2013 and so, the agency claims, those emails are inaccessible. Both Levitt and former Superintendent Frank Dean were also caught using their private email accounts to discuss the dog planning process, according to recently obtained records.

Look out! Kennel Cough Outbreak in the San Francisco Bay Area!

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Feb 24, 2017 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

Kennel Cough is an airborne disease that is very contagious among dogs. This year, Kennel Cough has been very active in the bay area and extremely difficult to control. Kennel Cough, also know as, Bordetella bronchiseptica is most often spread in facilities where dogs are enclosed. Places such as boarding kennels, groomers, dog shelters, veterinarian offices, and dog parks are all places where your dog may be at risk of infection, due to their close proximity to other dogs that may be already infected with the virus.

So what is Kennel Cough exactly? Dogs will develop a harsh, hacking cough and most often become very sick and mimic symptoms similar to our own flu symptoms. The incubation period is about 5 days, so that means your dog will not show any signs until 5 days after exposure. If you dog has contacted Kennel Cough, it is imperative that you keep them away from other dogs to keep from spreading the disease!

One of the main problems of Kennel Cough is that the virus is being shed 2 days prior to any coughing symptoms, so your dog may be infecting others and you may not be aware of it! Also, it is important to note that Kennel Cough can take 2 weeks for recovery, so you dog should not be going outside for a very long period of time, which can cause sadness and depression. Kennel Cough is often thought to be non-contagious after your dog has started the antibiotics. Wrong! You dog can be contagious for a two to three week period following the onset and you should not let your pet around other dogs especially if they still have any cough. It is worth noting that sometimes the cough seems as if it has gone away, but in fact, it is just hiding and not noticed until the dog begins actively running.

Veterinarians offer a vaccination called a Bordetella shot, which stays active for 6 months and then must be repeated. But even though your dog gets a Bordetella shot twice a year, it is no guarantee that you dog will not come down with the virus. 100% guarantee is impossible because the strains of the virus mutate from year to year and the vaccine developers need to guess what strains will be prevalent.

Bordetella shots are usually combined with the annual DHLPP vaccination, but you must ask for it, it is not automatically given to your dog.

The hacking cough can last seven to 14 days and may be much more severe in very young or very old dogs. These dogs can develop a secondary bacterial lung infection, or even pneumonia, which will cause them to become lethargic and have a decreased appetite. It is very important to keep your dog well rested and isolated from other dogs.

The silver lining in this cloud is that if your dog has been vaccinated, your dog will probably exhibit the illness for a much shorter duration and less severe symptoms than those that have not been vaccinated.

Yay! We made it!

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Feb 14, 2017 ·

Posted by the San Francisco Dog Walker

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!  It’s our ten year anniversary today.

Yes, I know, how cliche to start my business on the BIG HEART DAY!  But how could I resist?

My client’s dogs are just so lovable!!!

Pet Detectives

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Jul 25, 2013 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

One of my clients told me a story about her lost dog that is really hard to imagine. Here it is.

Her dog escaped from the house and seemed to be lost for several days. My client hired a pet detective, Jackie Phillips, and they tracked the scent of her lost dog to a spot in Golden Gate Park. Running up to the gardener, my client was surprised to learn that he had found the little lost dog, but unfortunately, it had been hit by a car and killed at 19th and Lincoln and he had buried it near a beautiful large tree.

Even though it is a heartbreaking tale, it is still quite amazing that the tracking dogs were able to follow the scent of the lost dog so accurately. Since then, I have passed along this information to many dog walkers and they have had very successful results.

This might be a great method to try to find your lost dog, if you ever need one.  Just be sure to call her right away, without delay!

Jackie Phillips, certified pet detective (510) 415-6185

Here is a story written up about her accomplishments in San Francisco:

http://narrative.ly/i-hired-a-real-life-pet-detective/

Horses on Fort Funston Beach

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Apr 26, 2013 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

Have you ever run into horseback riders at Fort Funston?

Well if not, you probably will someday soon.  Fort Funston is a popular destination for equestrians of all skill levels.

Don’t know how your dog will react to a horse? I suggest that you keep your eyes open and if a horse approaches, put your dog on leash, until you know their behavior. Most dogs will have a natural curiosity around horses and may run up to sniff or bark, which may startle the horse and cause the rider to fall, or at the very least, the rider may become angry with you and make it an unpleasant encounter.

Until you know how your dog will react to a horse,it is important to make that first encounter a cautious one. If you find that you dog seems to be overly interested in the new beast on the beach, then I recommend that you do some conditioning. I have had very good luck with dogs that are reactive to horses on the trail, if I take them on a private walk to a stable, on leash of course, and coax them near the horses with cookies and lots of baby talk (yes this is a technical dog training term). After a few times, the dogs will feel more secure and will relax around horses. And if you should see horses on the beach, you should call your dog over to you, for a treat. If you have conditioned the dog well enough, they should not react to the horses passing, but rather come over to you and sit facing you, when you call out “cookie” and then request that they “sit” quietly while the horses pass.

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