Island Living Is Hard on Dogs' Coats and Paws
Life on Bethel Island is different from anywhere else in East County. The island sits below sea level, ringed by about 11.5 miles of levee and by Taylor, Piper, Dutch and Sandmound sloughs. Most homes are on the water, many with private docks, and you will find old fishing cabins, manufactured homes and large custom houses side by side. Getting off the island means the bridge along Bethel Island Road toward Cypress Road and Highway 4 in Oakley. Dogs here spend hours on decks, docks and boats, and they come home damp, sandy or smelling of the slough.
A van that comes to you fits island life well. You skip the bridge run and the car ride, and your dog is groomed on the spot. I bathe small dogs in warm water inside the van, then dry and brush them out, so wet-fur odor and waterway grime do not end up on your deck or boat cushions. I also trim around the paws so dock splinters, mud and debris are easy to wipe away. Dogs must be under 35 pounds.
