Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and the rush is on to plan romantic dinners and buy important gifts. It’s a special day for those in love, of course, but every day is special for those with pets, especially those lucky enough to have a new puppy in their home. Puppies provide a special kind of affection.

Almost nothing beats the feel of a puppy’s moist nose or a sloppy dog kiss. Dogs are loyal and give love unconditionally. They are fun on good days, but they are incredible on bad days. They are enthusiastic and always greet their owners with excitement.

Pets are important. They are soothing and their antics are delightful. Having a new pet is a wonderful experience, much like having a new baby. The animal soon becomes a part of the family and pet owners become very protective of their animals. The addition of a new pet is uplifting, especially when it’s a cute puppy.  

Some Scripps Ranch residents are experiencing the joy of having a new puppy in their household this year and agreed to share their thoughts about their love for their pups:

Shannon Higgins sent adorable photos of Silas, her mini Australian shepherd puppy, along with his best feline friend Gideon, a Maine Coon.

“Silas is such a fun-loving, playful little guy,” Higgins explained. “We love watching him interact with our cat, Gideon – two different species of animals, years apart and yet they manage to get along and become best friends. We can learn a thing or two from our pets.”

While puppies can be a handful, a beautiful pet such as Silas makes it all worthwhile.

“Underneath all that beauty is a smart, sweet and loyal pup. If he hears someone approaching the door, immediately he comes and sits at our feet to protect us,” Higgins said. “Around 9 p.m., he lets us know he’s ready for bed by making a sound and looking up at the stairs. It’s the funniest thing!” 

Meanwhile, the Spencer family, Jared and Geri Spencer and daughters Amber and Tiffany, added Daphne to their family. This is what they had to say about their new puppy who is about 13 weeks-old.

“She is extremely playful. She already has a bucket of toys and will make herself so dizzy playing that she falls over. After playing so hard she will pass out on her back with her legs going every direction.

“We love her markings on her face and her nose caught our eye in the first place. She tries to exert her will on the colder mornings and sits by the door rather than quickly going for her potty break, but she is starting to understand the faster she potties, the sooner she will be able to go back inside to the warmth.” 

The Lyons family is enjoying two four-month-old Bichon Frise puppies, and each of the daughters in the family has been given one pup. Geddy is owned by Jocelyn Lyons and Solo is owned by Audrey Lyons.

“Solo is always there when I need him. It was a bit difficult in the beginning, as he is my first puppy ever, but we both eventually learned the ins-and-outs of having a puppy. I can’t imagine my life without him now,” Audrey said.

“I love the small quirks of Solo that makes him unique. Like how he sleeps on his back, and how he likes to lay down in small holes, like under the pillow or between my back and the couch,” she added. “When I arrive home, he’s always there, wagging his tail and jumping up on me. One of the best things about Solo is that he always is ready to cuddle on my lap.” 

Geddy also brings a little added sunshine into their home.

“Geddy is very caring. Whenever I walk through the door, he brightens up my day by just wagging his tail. He brings joy into my life, even when he wakes me up at 3 in the morning. Geddy means the world to me and it’s hard to imagine a life without him,” Jocelyn said. 

“Geddy is a very unique dog. He sits like a prince and it’s very regal-looking,” Jocelyn explained. “Sometimes, he runs and jumps into his bed like he’s had a long day at work. His nickname is ‘dirt-beard’ because he loves to dig around in the dirt. When he’s hot from running and playing, he lays down on the kitchen tiles like superman flying in the air. When he lays on his back, his ears flop back, making him look like a fox. Whenever I carry him, he puts his head on my shoulder, looking behind me.” 

Donna Mirabella and her family, which includes four children attending Scripps Ranch schools, recently purchased a cute golden doodle puppy from a breeder in Utah.
“His name is Ted and our family adores him,” Mirabella said.

Rounding out this Scripps Ranch Puppy parade is Harper, a 4-month-old cutie recently adopted by the Butler family. He was adopted form Baja Dog Rescue, according to Alana Butler.

Nala is a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier/Hungarian Vizsla mix looking for a loving home to call her own. Nala may be blind, but she is an incredibly sweet girl with a big heart and lots of love to give. With a little time to get to know you, Nala could be your best friend in the world. Meet this special girl at the San Diego Campus.

Nala’s adoption fee includes her spay, permanent microchip identification, current vaccinations, 30 days of worry-free insurance from Trupanion Insurance and a certificate for a free veterinary exam.

Nala is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego campus at 5500 Gaines St. To learn more about making her part of your family, call (619) 299-7012.

ADOPTION HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

Name: Nala
Age: 5 years old
Gender: Spayed female
Breed: American pit bull terrier/Hungarian Vizsla 
ID #: 548612
Adoption Fee: $95

Hef is a 5-year-old American Staffordshire terrier mix looking for a loving family to call his own. Some of his favorite things in life include snuggles, long walks at sunset and belly rubs.

This gentle giant is house-trained, well behaved and obedient. He would do best in a home without other dogs. He wants all of your attention to himself – can you blame him? Meet handsome Hef at the Oceanside Campus today.

His adoption fee includes his neuter, permanent microchip identification, current vaccinations, 30 days worry free insurance from Trupanion Insurance and a certificate for a free veterinary exam.

Hef is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Oceanside Campus at 2905 San Luis Rey Road. To learn more about making him part of your family, call (619) 299-7012.

ADOPTION HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

Name: Hef
Age: 5 years old
Gender: Neutered male
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier/Mix 
ID #: 451754
Adoption Fee: $95

Leila is a 1-year-old domestic short hair mix looking for a loving home to call her own. This sweet kitty is affectionate and loves to be pet, but she can be a little picky about being held. Petting with four paws on the floor is more her style. She is also very friendly with new people and likes to play. Her ideal home would be with adults or older, respectful children and no dogs. Meet this cheerful kitty cat at the Escondido Campus today.

Her adoption fee includes her spay, permanent microchip identification, current vaccinations, 30 days worry free insurance from Trupanion Insurance and a certificate for a free veterinary exam.

Leila is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3450 E Valley Parkway. To learn more about making her part of your family, call (619) 299-7012.

ADOPTION HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

Name: Leila
Age: 1 year old
Gender: Spayed female
Breed: Domestic Short Hair/Mix
ID #: 546098
Adoption Fee: $25

Casper is a 6-year-old mastiff mix looking for a new family. Transferred from another shelter, she has come a long way from where she started several months ago.

Casper can be a bit bashful when you first meet, but once she is comfortable with you, she enjoys ear scratches and getting belly rubs.

Casper will get excited to see you, give you kisses and show off her wiggly body, too.

A patient family with older, respectful children would be best. She would also love to have another dog friend in the home. Bring everyone in the family, humans and dogs, to come meet Casper. She is at the Oceanside Campus waiting for you.

Her adoption fee includes her neuter, permanent microchip identification, current vaccinations, 30 days worry free insurance from Trupanion Insurance and a certificate for a free veterinary exam.

Casper is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Oceanside campus at 2905 San Luis Rey Road. To learn more about making her part of your family, call (619) 299-7012.

ADOPTION HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

Name: Casper
Age: 6 years old
Gender: Spayed female
Breed: Mastiff/Mix
ID #: 278365
Adoption Fee: $95

Legend is a handsome boy looking for his next adventure buddy. This 3-year-old German shepherd mix was surrendered by his previous owner because he could no longer keep him in his apartment, so Legend is looking for a new family to love. Legend is very friendly and has fun, playful energy. He would benefit from daily exercise.

Legend is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3450 E. Valley Parkway. To learn more about making him part of your family, call (619) 299-7012.

His adoption fee includes his neuter, permanent microchip identification, current vaccinations, 30 days worry free insurance from Trupanion Insurance and a certificate for a free veterinary exam!

ADOPTION HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.

Name: Legend
Age: 3 years old
Gender: Neutered male
Breed: German Shepherd/Mix

ID #: 517879

Adoption Fee: $95

On some Saturday mornings, attendees at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library may find that the library’s usual silence has been replaced by the sounds of young voices, perhaps articulating the words of books like Dr. Seuss’s “Go, Dog, Go!”

Let it be known, this book choice is far from random. Look a bit closer and one will find not only kids, but dogs patiently sitting by as young readers try to piece together syllables.

“Their teachers aren’t there. Their parents aren’t there. They’re just reading to the dogs who don’t correct them and aren’t judging them for their reading,” said Jennifer Shumaker, Scripps Ranch visit captain from the therapy dog organization Love on a Leash.

The program is called Paws to Read, and it’s far from new. Some frequent attendees have practically grown up beside these dogs.

“We have kids all the way from infants to as old as 12 years old who come,” Shumaker said. “We even encourage the little ones like the two and three-year-olds to just grab a book and show the dogs the pictures while they’re flipping through it.”

Lisa Thompson, a member of the Love on a Leash national board of directors, said the main goal of the program is to give the kids a non-judgmental environment to practice reading out loud. However, she said she’s seen the program fulfill all kinds of needs.

“We’ll have kids who come over the course of years who are scared of dogs when they start out in the program and, as the years roll on, they learn to love the dogs and become very comfortable with them,” Thompson said.

Sue Subkow, the leader for the San Diego Central Chapter of Love on a Leash, said attendance for the bi-monthly program varies depending on the time of year, but many families find ways to make Paws to Read a part of their normal schedules.

She said one dog that sticks out in her mind is Charlie, a rescue dog from Tijuana.

“Charlie loves laps,” Subkow said. “If you’re sitting on the floor, he will come up and cuddle on your lap even if he just met you.”

Another popular pup is Thompson’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Mable Grace. A little more than 14 pounds, the girls love her, Thompson said.

“Almost every visit I dress her up,” Thompson said. “She’s got her own walk-in closet at my house full of her clothes and costumes.”

Subkow said the program can really be made into whatever the kids are looking to get out of it, whether that's an environment to better their reading skills or just a place to cuddle with a dog and escape the heat.

While some kids opt to stick to what the librarians have left out for them to read, Thompson said some kids really take advantage of the freedoms of the program.

“I had a little girl last Saturday who was super into the color pink, so she got every book about the color pink and read that to the dogs,” Thompson said. “She read the same book I think three or four times to the dog.”

The Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Paws to Read program takes place on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Exceptions include any holidays when the library would be closed.

Bruski Burgers & Brew in Scripps Ranch is going to the dogs, but only on Wednesdays. Owner Omar Abdullah opened his patio to man’s best friend for what he has dubbed Woof Wednesdays.

It’s been a howling hit with dogs and customers alike. As with many dog owners, Abdullah likes to have an occasional nosh with his canine pal, and thought his customers might enjoy the same. So, he dedicated one day a week to his customers and their dogs.

Dogs are a passion for the Bruski Burgers & Brew owner. He enjoys seeing his customers and their dogs having a good time together.

“We have two patios for the dogs and their owners to hang out and enjoy dinner,” Abdullah said. “We sometimes don’t give our pets enough credit for all the joy they bring into our lives. So, I created Woof Wednesdays so we could all have lunch or dinner together.”

Combining his love for animals and his affection for the community, Abdullah created a Charity of The Month connected to Woof Wednesdays.

“On Woof Wednesdays, each time a customer dines with us, our server will identify the check and saves a copy for me,” Abdullah said. “Then, at the end of the month I’ll tally up all the totals of all the checks identified as Woof Wednesdays checks. Then I will donate 10 percent of that total to the charity of the month.

Abdullah explained that his father owned restaurants and was very involved in the community.

“I wanted to do the same. Whether it’s a Little League, a high school or an animal rescue center, I love to give back,” he said.  

Traci Wilkerson, founder of Traci’s Paws, an organization dedicated to saving animals’ lives and assisting pet rescue groups, is a big fan of Woof Wednesdays. Her organization was one of the first to be named Charity of The Month.

“We were chosen as Woof Wednesdays Charity of The Month for April and again in May,” Wilkerson said. “Our non-profit received $200, and it was really appreciated. For a non-profit like ours, every donation means a lot. We’re an all-volunteer based operation. Donations like Omar’s Woof Wednesdays helps us keep our website up and that allows us to assist other homeless pets.”

Wilkerson had heard through the grapevine about the dog friendly establishment, so she and her two pooches gave Woof Wednesday a try. She had no idea that her non-profit would end up on the receiving end of the venue’s charity.

“When we came in, we loved how everyone came out to greet our two pups and quickly made sure that they had water and immediately took our drink order,” Wilkerson said. “The service throughout our visit was impeccable. Food came out quickly despite there being a crowd, and it was really good. They have vegetarian options, which makes me happy, and they have a good variety of things to eat.”

To better cater to his canine clientele, Abdullah is canvasing customers for ideas regarding what kind of doggie snacks and treats they would like to see offered on Woof Wednesdays.

“We are looking into some healthy items for the dogs,” Abdullah said. “What we offer now is our hormone and antibiotic free burger and chicken patty. A lot of our guests ask us to cook one up for their puppies. We can do a full or half chicken breast and cut it up into little bite-size nibbles.”

He said they are in the process of revising the menu to include a variety of healthier options for dogs and their human companions. Abdullah is also looking into dog friendly ice cream.

In the meantime, Abdullah continues to refine the menu for his human customers, as well.

“This restaurant has been here for eight years now and I’ve owned it since September of 2017,” he said. “All of our hamburger is delivered fresh, three times a week. Our French fries are, however, bagged. But that may soon change. Our Poway location started doing fresh cut French fries and the customers love them. In fact, they’re absolutely raving about them. So, I’m looking into doing that here as well.”

This comfort food emporium also offers 25 craft beers and 12 brands of wine, plus sports on several flat screen HD TVs.

Bruski Burgers & Brew’s Scripps Ranch location is 9844 Hibert St., Suite G-10. Woof Wednesday is open for lunch and dinner each Wednesday. The Poway location is 12622 Poway Road.

All members of the Real House Dogs of Scripps Ranch Facebook group and their pups are invited to dine on the patio of Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill, 10785 Scripps Poway Parkway, #B, on Saturday, July 28 from noon to 4 p.m. 

  Titled Pups on the Patio, this meetup is being held as both a social event as well as a benefit for the San Diego Humane Society. Ten percent of the proceeds from food and drink will be donated to the San Diego Humane Society. Make sure to print out the event flyer from the Real House Dogs of Scripps Ranch Facebook page and present it to your server during the event. 

  The Real House Dogs of Scripps Ranch is a closed Facebook group, but becoming a member is not difficult. Simply search for Real House Dogs of Scripps Ranch on Facebook and fill out the application window. 

Scripps Ranch resident Jessica Pearson has morphed a popular TV reality series into a unique forum for local cat and dog owners to share their pets’ tall “tails.” Her two membership groups on Facebook, Real House Dogs of Scripps Ranch and Real House Cats of Scripps Ranch, are a howling success with dog owners, and cat owners say it’s absolutely purrrrfect. 

“I created the two groups as a way for dog owners to share information with other dog owners; and for cat owners to do the same,” Pearson said. “I was always sharing pictures of my cats and dogs on my personal Facebook page and I wanted to create a way for pet owners in Scripps Ranch to share stories and information about their pets, too.”

Pearson’s idea took off faster than a greyhound racing toward the finish line. The dog and cat owners of Scripps Ranch embraced the idea, which currently has a roster of more than 500 members.

“There’s about 400 members of the Real House Dogs and about 130 members of the Real House Cats,” Pearson said. “It’s a lot of fun. Everyone loves posting pictures of their cats and dogs with corny captions.”

Pearson has also planted the seeds of a new forum with Ken Andersen, of the Walter Andersen Family Nursery, called Real House Plants of Scripps Ranch. This site is for novice landscapers and gardeners. It’s a perfect club if you have any questions about dogwood trees or cattail plants.

While Pearson’s Real House Dogs (and Cats) pages are private, but those you want to join the party won’t have much trouble joining.

“You don’t have to live in Scripps Ranch to be a member of our group,” Pearson said. “It’s not that we’re an exclusive club, but you must have some sort of a connection to San Diego or maybe you have a friend that’s in the group. Some people wanted to keep it just for our community and I said, ‘No, because my cat has cousin cats in Washington and Oregon.’ So, pretty much anyone is welcome to join, I just want to keep out anyone that seems a bit shady.”

Like most pet people, Pearson has special names for her four-legged friends. All of her extended family member’s names have a famous reference. Lucy, a Beagle, is named after Lucille Ball. Pepper, a pit mix, is named after Peppermint Patty. Annie, a tabby, is named after the musical. Charlotte, a Siamese mix, is named for “Charlotte’s Web,” and EJ, a buff tabby, is named after Elton John.

Lois Yu sent in this festive photo of her pet, Jake Yu, a terrier mix. It appears Jake is ready for the holidays in his handsome white coat, playing in a beautiful snow-white room highlighted with a fun Christmas tree in the background.

In the second photo (below) Jake is seen with the family's other dog, Lucky, who recently passed away. Lucky was 17 and the family was blessed to have her for 16 years.

The Scripps Ranch Unleashed in the Scripps Ranch Marketplace, 10625 Scripps Poway Parkway, was doggie central on Saturday, Oct. 14.