By Marcia Manna
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER
August 13, 2006
SOLANA BEACH – With its enticing smells, delectable snacks and an opportunity for socialization, a Mutt Mingle! makes it easy for dogs and dog lovers to meet.
The lively affairs are held once a month at Muttropolis in Solana Beach. The next one will be Thursday.
There's a stretch of lawn in front of the building, where, at last month's event, canines discovered a whimsical doghouse under a shade tree, gourmet doggie treats and, best of all, lots of mutts to mingle with.
What: Mutt Mingle!
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Muttropolis, 227 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach
Cost: Free
Information: (858) 755-3647 or www.muttropolis.com
Inside, hors d'oeuvre trays and neat rows of Chardonnay-filled glasses topped display cases filled with rawhide strips, rubber bones and gem-studded collars.
If a mutt barked or growled, West Coast K9 trainer Graham Bloem was there to keep the peace. He walked indoors and out, greeting visitors and pausing to answer training questions.
“When a dog shows a negative behavior, you want to intervene,” he said. “But you also don't want to offend people.
“Common questions? Jumping up on people, a huge one, and barking.
“Dogs do well with structure and leadership. Without it, they are lost. With leadership comes trust, and we always reinforce positive behavior.”
Bloem brought Cody, an 80-pound chocolate Labrador retriever that he's training for a client.
“He's my pal,” Bloem said. “He's trained already. The only thing I have to worry about is the big tail knocking stuff over.”
Cody had to bend his head down to greet smaller dogs. Though he was friendly and well-behaved, some of the smaller breeds moved away from him.
Bloem said little dogs often exhibit aggression when they feel intimidated by a larger dog. But similar breeds are more likely to get along.
“Two labs do well together, and cattle dogs and herding breeds know each other's posture and language,” he said. “There is a common denominator.”
There is also a common denominator among dog lovers, and it encourages connecting.
Bruno, a playful boxer, and a rat terrier named Roxy belong to René Monce of Encinitas. She attended the Mutt Mingle! with both dogs and her boyfriend, Dan Schroeder.
“I know of a girl who met a guy here,” Monce confided. “She had a golden retriever mix; he had a mutt. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. But they had a lot of fun together.”
Muttropolis offers Mutt Mingle! parties at locations in La Jolla, Newport Beach and Tucson, Ariz. The events continue to grow in popularity, organizers said.
At the last Solana Beach Mutt Mingle!, Muttropolis assistant manager Antonia Stang gave Sienna, her Brussels Griffon, an occasional pat on the head while chatting with visitors.
She recently became engaged to Bloem, who volunteers his time at the Mutt Mingle! parties.
Stang said Sienna “was a little timid” when she first met Bloem, but now “that's her man.”
“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals,” Stang said. “In my view, you have to be compassionate, patient and trusting.”
