Photocap by Kathy De La Torre
Gail Tutt holds on to her 6-month-old beagle, Emily, who waits patiently for the Society Dogs weekly walk to begin.
Society dogs strut their stuff on Saturday walks
By Nathan R. Huff
Los Gatos is going to the dogs.
However, as members of the Society Dogs Social Club, these canines represent the town just like their owners, as evidenced by the formal attire many of the animals sported at the Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade last month.
The club, formerly known as the more mundane Los Gatos Dog Walking Group, is approaching its first birthday. Members meet weekly at the Town Plaza and walk, hand in leash, to Borders Bookstore. Members also participate in various social activities--some requiring formal attire--and events at San Francisco's 3Com Park and local drive-ins.
"It was started as a good way for dog people to meet other single dog people," said Rebecca Yates, co-founder of the club. Yates said the club is no longer strictly a singles club, but it continues to be a venue for people of similar interests to come together.
Boasting a membership of close to 40 dog-owner pairs and a weekly showing of 20, the club continues to invite new members. There are no real membership requirements, regular dues or dog-doo related hazing exercises.
However, a list of rules must be followed. They range from the obvious--leashes and poop pickup--to the more interesting, like rule two of the official Society Dogs handbook: "There will be no mounting, crotch sniffing, barking or biting. This pertains to you and your dog/s."
The club, which draws its members from as far as Fremont, is trying to focus on getting local vets and animal trainers to speak briefly to the group before its Saturday walks. However, the primary mission of the group--for dogs and humans alike--remains social.
"Dog people in general have a lot in common with other dog people," Yates said.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
