Tag archives: dog

A Big Thank You to Montecito
By George Leis   |   July 14, 2026

Every once in a while, something happens that reminds you how extraordinary are the people who call Montecito home.  On Friday afternoon, July 3, I brought my beloved two-year-old blue merle Mini Australian Shepherd, Daisy, to our CalPrivate Bank office in Montecito, as I often do on Fridays. Because many of our clients had the […]

The Montecito Social Dog Club (MSDC): aka The Dog Walker
By Amy Peer   |   July 7, 2026

I have known and worked with Gavin Behr, the owner and operator of Montecito Social Dog Club (MSDC), for over 25 years. Gavin, a transplant from South Africa via Southern California, has been a welcome addition to the Santa Barbara community for over eight years. He has brought to our community a professional, trustworthy, reliable, […]

101 Alsatians: Amy Peer and her Dog-Meet-Dog World
By Jeff Wing   |   May 11, 2026

Amy arrives at the MJ offices today clutching her longhaired English Cream dachshund, Maxine – gifted to her as a puppy 14 years ago by a renowned novelist, longtime client, friend, and fitful dog lover.  “My friend’s beloved King Charles just could not wrap her paws around the addition of this beautiful blonde bombshell to […]

Leader of the Pack: Jaclyn Sicilia: A Dog’s Best Friend
By Zach Rosen   |   February 4, 2025

Sure, the discovery of fire was kind of a big deal for humanity. But little did we know that that was also the moment we discovered a way to light up our life every single day. As early man and woman sat around their newly-invented flame, the enticing aroma of (let’s just assume) woolly mammoth […]

Blessings Porter: A Fur Friend to All
By Lyn Rejahl Pry   |   July 23, 2024

Blessings Porter has yet to meet a human he hasn’t liked. And, in his 14 years, he’s met hundreds of people. Since moving from Orange County to Montecito more than ten years ago, he’s become a frequent beachgoer on the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Miramar Beach’s oceanfront sand. He’s a favorite unofficial “ambassador” to other […]

Roots on Santa Claus Lane
By Montecito Journal   |   June 21, 2022

I am the CFO and co-owner of Autumn Brands, a sustainable and ethically grown cannabis farm in the Carpinteria Valley. We focus on growing high-quality cannabis that uses zero pesticides, which means not even organic pesticides. We re-use and recycle all our irrigation water and have all organic waste turned to compost. We are a […]

Cashy’s Playpen Grand Opening
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   April 19, 2022

This weekend marks the grand opening celebration of Cashy’s Playpen on Coast Village Road. Owned by Caroline Martel-Miller, the new, aesthetically-pleasing doggie boutique offers toys, bedding, grooming supplies, wellness products, food, treats, home accent pieces, travel carriers, collars and leashes, and more. The grand opening is Friday, April 15, from 4-7 pm. Enjoy 10% off […]

Honoring History
By Richard Mineards   |   December 28, 2021

A page from our Eden by the Beach’s own history comes to life when Yankee sailors meet Spanish Rancheros at Casa de la Guerra in the Christmas Revels at the Lobero Theatre. Based on actual events from the 1830s woven into a lavish theatrical experience, the Revels, now in its 14th season, featured a company […]

It’s a Dog’s Day: Local Chefs Tout Four-Legged Diners
By Claudia Schou   |   September 28, 2021

Although National Dog Day came and went on August 26, it’s never too late to celebrate your furry canine companion. Which leads to a question: when is the last time you took your favorite tail-wagger out for a tasty meal? Downtown, Coast Village Road, and the Funk Zone are chockfull of outdoor eateries that cater […]

A Mighty Force
By Gretchen Lieff   |   July 30, 2020

Missing. The anguish never goes away. Missing something or someone, it’s one of the great common denominators. No matter who you are or what you have, such deep loss is irretrievable. Nineteen months ago my beloved border collie dogs, eight-year-old Daisy and her one-year-old puppy companion Diesel, disappeared from my ranch in rural San Luis […]

A Man and His Dog
By Gretchen Lieff   |   April 30, 2020

In the Times of Dis-Ease I am generally described as a cheerful person who tends toward optimism. But lately I find myself lingering over any mention of grief or fear or loss. Rather than turning away and protecting myself… I find that I am, in the face of this pandemic, turning toward the dark, unpleasant […]