FIDO MEET-UP: Not only does California boast hundreds of dog-related events, from adoption fairs to nighttime fundraisers to leash-up-your-Lassie 5Ks, but breed-specific soirees abound. There are the Corgi meet-ups in Southern California, the ones that happen on the beach, and Greyhounds gather each year in Solvang (along with their people). As for Bernese Mountain Dogs, those Alps-tastic, darling-of-demeanor, huge-of-paw sweethearts known for their intelligent eyes and let-me-on-your-lap ways? They also get their yearly party, and it comes with a bonus: pumpkins. If your own pumpkin likes to romp among the stem-topped gourds of fall, make for the pumpkin-iest place around a couple of weeks ahead of its planet-famous Pumpkin Festival. Yes, we're quite obviously referring to...
HALF MOON BAY, which is the home of Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch. Each year the patch hosts dozens of Berners and their humans for a day of hay-riding goodness and pumpkin-close snapshot opportunities. In 2015 "over 140 Bernese guests" attended the coo-able day out, and all Berner ages are welcome. It's a tradition, given that this is the 14th annual Berner bash, and it is all built on the love of dogs (and, of course, an affinity for being outside on a glorious autumn Sunday). Will you find the perfect pumpkin and purchase it at the Sunday, Oct. 2 to-do? Will you attempt to carve your Berner's visage into the jack o'lantern for prominent display on your porch? They're seriously cute pooches, and that goes for the Berners that grow to great heights, as they often do. They'll still be lovable lap sitters forever, and that's a fact. Best connect with others who share your outlook on this exceedingly charming hound.
