If you love dogs, the next two weekends will offer plenty for you to do.
- At noon Sunday (Sept. 30) come out for the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Arthur Lee Johnson Memorial Park, 1200 W. 170th St., Gardena. The event -- co-sponsored by the South Bay Kennel Club and the Southwest Obedience Club -- features Meet-the-Breed booths; obedience/rally/flyball/agility demonstrations; Canine Good Citizen testing; and BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) program testing. It's all free and is a great opportunity also for prospective or new dog owners to learn about dog ownership. A program sponsored by the American Kennel Club for the past 10 years, Responsible Dog Ownership Day events are designed to promote education -- but also to expose dog owners to activities they can enjoy with their canine friends.
- At 9 a.m. Oct. 7 (a week from this Sunday) the 2nd annual Rally Throw-Down (the name alone is cool enough to make you want to go) kicks off at Highridge Park, 29035 Highridge Road, Rolling Hills Estates. If you're not familiar with rally, it's an obedience competition that loosens up the rules -- just a bit -- and is, by design, meant to be lots of fun. Handler-dog teams make their way through a signed course requiring sits, downs, turns and other maneuvers, all timed and scored. You can come and watch for free but you also might want to buy some tickets for the raffle. All proceeds go to America's VetDogs. There also will be massage and "PuPilates" sessions for your dog, with costs ranging from $10 to $20 apiece.