Long Beach makes Dog Fancy's list of canine-friendly cities.

Here's one to howl about: Dog Fancy magazine again named Long Beach one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States. The city, which is home to a dog park and dog beach and several annual pet events, made the South Orange County-based national magazine's Top 9 list for the second consecutive year.
The dogs, of course, are the stars, but it is a human who is responsible for Long Beach's ranking, Justin Rudd. Belmont Shore community organizer Rudd created the dog beach at the foot of Granada Avenue three years ago this fall.

He also puts on several pet-related events a year, including holiday costume parades for pets (sometimes owners, too) and adoption days, and sends out an e-mail-based newsletter to 9,000 pet lovers.

Rudd, of course, is not the only reason Long Beach made the list. The October issue of the magazine, which will be released next week, also cited the winning cities' natural resources, veterinary care, adoption rates and animal shelters. Credit should also go to the army of volunteers who look after the dog park, the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, the city's special events office. "But it was their above-all-else love of dogs that sealed the deal," the editors wrote.

That's where Rudd comes in. Editors referred to many of his annual activities, including the interfaith pet blessing, which is on Sept. 29, and the Howlo'ween Parade, which this year will take place Oct. 28.

Not mentioned, but worth noting, are the Canine Easter Parade, Operation Santa Paws, which collects treats and toys for shelter animals, the Bulldog Beauty Contest and a dog poetry contest.

These are all simple, family oriented events that make residents - and presumably pooches - feel good about living in Long Beach. And they are all staged by a non-profit organization that goes by a rather ironic acronym, CAT, which is short for Community Action Team.