“There is no Yappy Anonymous,” said Sharon McLachlan, “(if there was) Carmalita would qualify.”
Carmalita, McLachlan’s pet pooch, was one of many in attendance at Camp Bow Wow’s Yappy Hour for dogs, held at El Cajon’s Downtown Café. Puptinis, or dog martinis, flowed freely on this June 20 evening.
Downtown Café’s hostess Katie Martinez said the “the dogs definitely have a good time.” McLachlan quipped that the dogs are not carded.
“There is no Yappy Anonymous,” said Sharon McLachlan, “(if there was) Carmalita would qualify.”
Carmalita, McLachlan’s pet pooch, was one of many in attendance at Camp Bow Wow’s Yappy Hour for dogs, held at El Cajon’s Downtown Café. Puptinis, or dog martinis, flowed freely on this June 20 evening.
Downtown Café’s hostess Katie Martinez said the “the dogs definitely have a good time.” McLachlan quipped that the dogs are not carded.
The Yappy Hours, designed and hosted by El Cajon’s Camp Bow Wow, are in their third year of happy hours for dogs and their owners. Mark Garrett owns the franchise with his wife, Connie. The events are held on Downtown Café’s outdoor patio.
Connie Garrett said that their Yappy Hours are being held through October.
“There were a lot of dog functions in San Diego so we wanted to create something in East County,” she said.
October’s Yappy Hour also consists of a canine cocktail and costume party. McLachlan said Carmalita definitely enjoys herself at the Yappy Hour events
“She tries to pick up other dogs,” she said. “She flaunts her clothes. She’s a little over-dressed. Carmalita does not wait until the October costume party to bring out her 40 different dresses.”
“It’s a little salty for me” chimed McLachlan’s sister and El Cajon resident, Ruth Pierce, in describing the puptini that was served up out of an Igloo on the patio’s table. The dog cocktail consists of broth served in a Martini-shaped plastic glass with a cocktail weanie skewered with a doggie treat. The owners could order off the menus while the dogs mingled and worked the party scene.
The Garretts live in San Diego, but established their doggie day care and boarding business in El Cajon in March 2008. Its webcam allows owners to observe their dog’s activities from their computers.
Yappy Hour had opportunity drawings with gift certificates to the Downtown Café, the El Cajon Dog Wash, Out and About Dog Training, and to Camp Bow Wow.
“Attendance is around 30 owners with 20-40 dogs and there have been no dog fights,” said Connie Garrett.
Camp Bow Wow has also worked with dog rescue groups.
“Other dogs are free to crash the party,” Connie Garrett continued. The Yappy Hour attendees have mainly consisted of the Camp Bow Wow customers. The next opportunity to crash the party for all dogs is July 18 and/or every third Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. Bottoms up.
