Some were already guests at the hotel, others came from their homes around the Peninsula, and a few were mere passersby along the coastal trail when they smelled the sweet scent of chicken-flavored water and chew toys.
On a warm Thursday afternoon before the summer fog hugged the coastline, the welcomed dozens of dogs and their human companions to its first "Yappy Hour" on the magnificent lawn surrounding the resort's ocean bluff gazebo.
"We are trying to do a lot to become a pet friendly resort," said Jay Heidenreich, the hotel's director of sales and marketing. "This event is a way to kick off our Pampered Pooch Program while raising some money for the Peninsula Humane Society. I got my dog at the Peninsula Humane Society when I was a kid."
The sad reality is that more animals spend their days behind the walls of shelters than frolicking at a beach-side resort, so the staff at the Ritz-Carlton is focused on making their Pampered Pooch Program and Yappy Hour benefit both their guests and the animals awaiting adoption at the
Heidenreich explained that a portion of the pet fee guests pay when their dogs stay with them at the resort will be donated to the Peninsula Humane Society. In addition, the proceeds from the Yappy Hour beer and wine sales are donated to PHS.
Director of sales Stephanie Leavitt said the Ritz wanted to find a way to do more for local shelter animals and thought that Yappy Hour would be a good way to bring some attention to PHS while giving dogs and their owners an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beachfront property.
"We realize that for some of our guests, family members are often four-legged. Our Guest Houses are set up for pets with everything from pet refresher stations to special menus and dog activities," explained Leavitt.
The Pampered Pooch Program offers a variety of amenities such as pup play dates, plush doggie beds and in-room dining (featuring a menu designed by the resort's fourth generation master French chef, "That was an interesting conversation," said Heidenreich.)
Leavitt said Yappy Hour will be held the last Thursday of the month through October and is open to the public and their well-behaved pooches. Dogs are treated to meat-flavored waters, treats, balls and chew toys, and humans are treated to specially priced beer and wine. Proceeds from the sale of beer and wine benefit PHS.
The Pampered Pooch Program has already raised $1,000 for PHS Heidenreich said.
The next Yappy Hour benefiting the Peninsula Humane Society will be held Thurs., July 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, One Miramontes Point Road.
For more information, go to www.ritzcarlton.com/hmb.
