California Declared an El Niño Emergency. What Should Dog Owners Do Now?
California’s El Niño emergency is a preparedness move—not an evacuation order. Here is the calm, practical plan Monterey Bay dog households can make now.
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Salt Hound Journal
Stories about surf, dogs, coastal towns, rescue culture and the places that keep pulling us back to the water.
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Journal Archive
Every Salt Hound Journal entry, newest first. Browse the full archive or follow a thread through the coast.
Viewing: California Coast
September 2026
When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog in California?
There is no single safe temperature for every dog. Use the weather, route, surface and your dog’s individual risk to decide when to move, shorten or skip a...
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When Should You Cancel a Coastal Outing With Your Dog?
A Small Craft Advisory is not automatically a beach closure. Here’s how to decide when boating, paddling or walking the coast with your dog should wait.
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How Far Should You Stay From a Whale in California?
A humpback’s unusual journey into the Bay–Delta offers a clear California wildlife rule: stay 100 yards from whales, keep their path open and report concerns to trained responders.
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Can You Bring Your Dog to Coastal Cleanup Day?
Dogs may join some Monterey Bay cleanups, but only at dog-friendly sites and on leash. Here’s how to verify the rules and decide whether bringing your dog is...
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Build the Safety Net Before You Bring the Dog Home
The best adoption checklist is not just gear. Build the veterinary, financial, backup-care and community support system that helps a dog stay home for life.
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Before You Say Yes: The Questions That Matter at a Dog Adoption Event
Adoption events move fast. These are the questions that help you understand the dog, plan for veterinary care and expenses, and make the first days at home more...
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The Tiny Fish Running Monterey Bay
A new anchovy restriction in Monterey Bay is more than a fishing notice. It’s a window into the food web that makes this stretch of California coast feel...
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This Weekend, the California Coast Is Going to the Dogs
Corgis hit Pismo Beach, surf dogs take over Del Mar, and Monterey’s rescue community gets in on the weekend too. Here’s why California dog culture is at its...
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