Heel, Cooper! Heel! This is public art. And you were the muse.
“I was inspired by the playfulness of the dogs when I saw them here without the leash,” said multimedia artist Karena Massengill of the 19 Crayola-hued metal public art sculptures she created for Rosie’s Dog Beach. “They were just so happy that I wanted to have this conveyed in the artwork. I wanted to simplify the form without losing the gesture.”
Three Rosie’s Dog Park luminaries: Karena Massengill, Justin Rudd, and POTUS Rudd-Millero.
The sculptures, called design delineators, form a joyful procession along the boundary line of Rosie’s Dog Beach between Granada and Roycroft avenues at Ocean Avenue in Belmont Shore. They depict dogs frolicking with their humans, toys or one another in groups or solo.
Massengill was introduced in a recent Post article by Asia Morris that also hailed them as a replacement for the nondescript and semipermanent orange cones that were placed on the borderline.
“The cones were God-awful,” said Community Action Team volunteer Nancy Buchanan, who described the tedious process of cleaning and replacing them. The new sculptures have a coating that allows for easy cleanup and is also resistant to the salt air, said Justin Rudd.
Massengill was chosen for the project by a committee consisting of Rudd, the Long Beach Arts Council, the City of Long Beach Marine Bureau and the Third District City Council headed by Gary DeLong. Former Arts Council community-projects coordinator Sumako (uses single name) said that the project had been in the making for two years. Massengill, he said, was selected from the top three runners-up in a pool of applicants. The budget for the work was raised from $20,000 to $30,000 after the committee saw the quality of the work.
“It signifies for everyone who comes here that it’s a fun place for your dog to play,” said Third District Councilmember Suzie Price of the spirit of the artwork.
Tim Patton, Justin Rudd, Suzie Price and young volunteer.
Sculpture 19, a bright-red rendition of a young girl with a backpack walking her dog near the wall (on a leash, of course, because them’s the rules until paws hit sand), was unveiled at a June 10 ceremony attended by Rudd, Mayor Robert Garcia, Tim Patton, the senior administrative deputy to the mayor, Councilmember Price and staff members Julie Maleki and Kristina Duggan, Terry Enderson, president of the Belmont Shore Residents Association and other city officials and representatives. As well as lots of dogs.
Garcia and Price praised the artwork as well as the dog beach. Rosie’s Dog Beach opened in 2011 as the result of a project initiated by Rudd and is presently the only dog beach in Los Angeles County.
“While a lot of Long Beach folks come here, a lot of people from out of the city come to enjoy this great part of our beach,” Garcia said. “The art is playful, it’s fun, and it’s an opportunity for people to have public art on the beach. Most importantly, it adds to the great space we already have.”
Councilmember Price, Massengill and Mayor Garcia at unveiling of Sculpture 19. Front and center is Quincy.
To learn more about Karena Massengill’s works in sculpture, painting, glass and other media, visit her website.
Rosie’s Dog Beach is open from 6:00AM to 8:00PM daily. Click the link in the article for rules and other information.
Steve Voit and his friend Kramer.
“Man, unlike the animals, has never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.”
~ Samuel Butler, Victorian-era author
Virtually Pets
On June 13 from noon to 4:00PM, Pussy and Pooch will be hosting Kitten Madness to find homes for around 20 kittens (remember kitten season in the last article where I pleaded for volunteers? Here it is again—still pleading. Anyway, here are two sweet samplings from the event—if you’re interested in either or both, contact Zoey’s Place Rescue at zoeysplacerescue@charter.net. Or just come down to P & P!
Odette was found by a Good Samaritan at four weeks and has been thriving ever since. She is a very determined eight-week-old little girl who prefers playing with dogs and adult cats. Don’t let these baby-blue eyes fool you—she’s “Miss Personality!”
Zali is an adorable 11-week-old little girl who was pulled with her mom and siblings from the Long Beach shelter. She has a very spunky personality and will thrive in a multi-pet household.
Victoria was found walking through a mobile home as a stray and her former owners want no part of her. She’s a sweet senior dog and really needs a break. Looking for a foster or a forever home. The rescuer recommends a home in which she can be an only dog. Do you want to help her live out her golden years as she deserves? E-mail hoffmannclaudia@hotmail.com if you do.
Pet Projects
Friends of Long Beach Animals Humane Education Program, Free, Ongoing until July
Reserve a date for this necessary program now, as it will go on hiatus in mid-June. Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) stands by its word when it says it actively supports teaching children kindness and respect for animals.
FOLBA has provided several copies of humane books to all of the libraries in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), all the Public Libraries in Long Beach and Signal Hill as well as to Raising-a-Reader and to Mary Bethune Transitional Center (assisting homeless children who need reading improvement so they can attend regular LBUSD classes).
This interactive humane education program is free to all schools in the Long Beach Unified School District, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Long Beach Parks and Libraries and Community Groups. Basic elements of the program are as follows:
- Humane treatment of all living creatures
- Basic pet care
- Proper behavior around animals
- Responsibilities and rewards of pet ownership
- Handouts and study materials
- Follow-up activities
For information, contact Friends’ office, 562.988.7647
Monthly Mutt Mingles, Pussy & Pooch Pethouse and PawBar, 4818 East Second Street, Long Beach, third Wednesday of every month; and 222 East Broadway, third Thursday of every month, 6:00 to 8:00PM
Join P&P for their monthly mixer, and enjoy special treats, toasts, and plenty of in-store tail-wagging. Mutt Mingles are a great way for your dog to learn valuable social skills. It’s a chance for them to experience and interact in a social setting with food, drink and plenty of other distractions! It’s important for your dog to learn how to behave around other dogs and people so that they’ll be the stars of the dog park and the dog beach. The indoor facility provides for a very comfortable setting and fun atmosphere. Dogs may be off-leash if supervised closely by their owners. For their protection, we lock the front door so dogs are safe from the street traffic.
SpcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp, June through August, spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center, 7700 East Spring Street Long Beach
Paws down, this is the best summer camp around. Kids 8 through 13 will learn the basics of pet care and responsibility, respect for all animals, and the beginnings of dog training—all while making the best kinds of friends—those who care about animals! There are 10 sessions available, each running Monday through Friday. Enroll on our website, available at this link.
#PizzaRevPets Campaign, throughout June
In celebration of National Pet Adoption Month, PizzaRev has launched the #PizzaRevPets campaign to help find forever homes for sheltered or abandoned animals. Throughout June, animal lovers are encouraged to share their favorite adopted pet photos and their adoption story via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, using #PizzaRevPets. PizzaRev will choose one grand prize winner to receive free pizza for a year. The winning photo will be displayed at PizzaRev restaurants across the country. Ten winners will receive a $100 PizzaRev gift card. PizzaRev, where you can craft your own pizza, has devoted time and funding to pet adoption, and many of the employees have adopted pets of their own; the Long Beach store is located in the Towne Center, 7551B Carson Avenue, near the movie theater.
Kitten Madness Adoption Event, Saturday, June 13, noon–4:00PM, Pussy and Pooch, 4848 East Second Street, Belmont Shore
Twenty kittens are waiting for you to take at least one of them home! C’mon down for a cuteness overload.
El Dorado Audubon Los Cerritos Wetlands Field Trip, Saturday, June 13, 8:00 to 10:00AM, PCH and First Street on border of Seal Beach and Long Beach, turn inland and park off asphalt
El Dorado Audubon needs your help to document the wide variety of shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and other feathered creatures in this area. This year’s rain has brought a spectacular display of native and non-native wildflowers! Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Binoculars are always helpful, and they add to the enjoyment! Visit our webpage or our Facebook page for more information.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics, Saturday, June 18, 4:00 to 7:00PM, Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Pet owners must be 18 years or older. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. If you have a prior rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing service is provided for residents within our jurisdiction: Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. For more service information and pricing please visit Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinics.
Priscilla’s Puss ’n’ Books Kitty Karnival, Saturday, June 20, 11:00AM to 4:00PM, Apostrophe Books, 5229 East Second Street, Long Beach
Cats and books—what more could you pussibly want?
Friends of Long Beach Animals 26th Annual Membership Meeting, Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 PM, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach, free
Join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for an evening of pet-themed events featuring Terry Long, a certified professional dog trainer, behavior consultant and owner of DogPACT, a Long Beach-based dog-training company. Terry and her team of certified trainers provide a variety of classes for pet manners, agility, and nose work, as well as private consultations for serious behavior problems. Her dogs, Kiwi and Pretzel, will provide entertainment that’s not to be missed. Refreshments will be served. FOLBA would love volunteers!
Pours for Paws, Saturday, June 27, 6:00–9:00PM, Howl Event Space, 237 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, $50 single, $90 couple, $100 foursome
Join the Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) for a delightful evening in the courtyard of a historical house to enjoy live jazz, hors d’oeuvres, tasting great vintages, and a silent raffle and auction. It’s a great evening out for you and an even better one that will benefit the dogs and cats at SBACC! Contact christinelynnrobbins@gmail.com for tickets and info.