Dog Days of Summer

Yesterday was the Dog Days of Summer at AT&T park in San Francisco. It is an annual event with a portion of the proceeds of the Dog Zone tickets going to the San Francisco SPCA. There were hundreds of dogs in all shapes and sizes. Roger was the only standard poodle that I saw.
Our experience started with a parade around the field, which I was afraid we might miss. According to the information we received with our tickets, the parade was to begin at 11:20. We left Paradise in plenty of time to make it by the deadline and we didn't have any problem getting to the ballpark. We were following the directions to the parking lot and before we got there, right across from the entrance to the park, we saw a hand written sign that said "Parking Available, $30." Dawn and I looked at each other and remarked about what a rip off that was. We continued on toward the designated ballpark lot, but mistakenly turned in to the permit only lot. No problem, they just directed us through to the entrance to the regular lot. We pulled up to the lot attendant and were shocked to find out that the parking fee was $30! We asked if there was cheaper parking somewhere else and he said yes, but that it was 5 blocks north of the ballpark. He gave us the directions to Embarcadero & Bryant, and we proceeded back the way we came. He had said the lot would be on the left so we were in the left lane. Right close to the intersection there was a sign indicating a right turn into the lot, but we couldn't get over in time. We continued north several blocks, made a legal u-turn, found another lot with plenty of spaces and pulled in. The parking fee...only $20! We parked and embarked on our 5 block trek. By now it was at least 11:35. When we finally got to the park we saw a long line of dogs and their human companions all waiting to go inside for the parade! Although I had already resigned myself to missing the parade, I was glad we got to participate.
Upon entering our assigned section and seeing how crowded our row was, we decided to sit in a lower row that was almost empty. We figured it would be good for as long as it lasted, and it lasted for about 2 innings. Thankfully, the people whose seats we were in were very gracious. We then took our assigned seats and discovered they were actually better, as was the company! We were seated next to a puggle (with whom Roger was enamored and who left before I could take her picture), a beagle, an Airedale, and a couple of chocolate labs.
It was a warm (hot) day in San Francisco. Each dog had been given their own orange water bowl and the SPCA dog monitors came around regularly to make sure that the hydration needs of all the dogs were met.
The only problem with going to a ball game with so many dogs is that it is hard to focus on the action that is taking place on the field. This is the best of what I saw of the game...bottom of the 4th inning, score is tied 2-2, Pablo Sandoval is on 2nd base (after a lead-off double that I'm not sure I actually saw), Barry Zito hits a single & Sandoval scores! We left shortly thereafter. I learned later that the Giants beat the Padres 4-3.
It was a long day, despite seeing less than half of the game. Roger slept almost all of the way home. I told Dawn I didn't think I would do it again, but I'm already reconsidering! If I do go next year I vow to take more photos and perhaps a video or two (or more).