By Gabrielle Van Hest

Sandy is more than five, a pure mutt—an Australian cattle and Jack Russell mix—and is as sweet as can be. This wonderful girl became a member of our family in March, thanks to some great dog park friends.

By Sonja Ohldag

Chief and Olive are service animals, trained to detect low blood sugar and impending seizures. I trained the two myself. It takes about two years raising, training and task-training them. Chiefie is nine years old and likely the best service dog I’ve ever worked with. Olive is five and equally brilliant.

By Eileen Cohen

If you visit Point Isabel most late afternoons, you’ve probably seen Huckleberry trotting along with the pack of Littles that includes his mini-me friend, Corky. The adorable Corky is the reason Huck entered my life.

By Chris Matthews

In August, 2016, a friend sent me a post about a white shepherd whose owner had surrendered him at the Pinole Animal Shelter. I was looking for another white shepherd as a companion for my white shepherd, Schatzi.

By Debby Stein

Five years ago in December, I lost Brynne at Point Isabel. I searched for her for hours, and then for days. Three weeks later, and after many trips to Contra Costa County Animal Services, I headed to Point Isabel to put up more signs. As I neared the exit, I got a telephone call from Berkeley Animal Care Services: “We have your dog. She is injured. You need to come here immediately.”

By Todd Perlman

For Cooper Chisaki, a trip to Point Isabel is simply part of life’s grand adventure. “He just loves going there – it’s like doggy heaven,” says owner Jane Chisaki. In many ways, Cooper is a typical golden retriever: He loves to swim and play ball, easily tracking one down even if he and Mom don’t come prepared. He always finds friends to play with on his regular outings to the Point, whether with Jane on weekends or midweek during group outings from nearby Metro Dog day care.