It’s a dog’s life at Christmas Walk

Stefanie Frith

CORONA DEL MAR -- Trevor Abel could not get enough of the hundreds of

dogs tagging along with their owners Sunday at the 22nd annual Christmas

Walk.

As golden retrievers sporting holiday bandannas, greyhounds wearing

reindeer ears and giant Akitas jingling with bells passed by him, the 1

1/2-year-old toddler’s eyes grew wide.

“What a fun day this is,” said his father, Garrett Abel of Newport

Beach.

“Trevor just loves watching the millions [there were only hundreds,

actually] of dogs. We are so lucky to live in this paradise, where we can

have a walk like this, whereas other places have snow and cold. That’s

why we keep coming back.”

The walk, sponsored by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce,

included two petting zoos, photos with Santa Claus, music and open houses

by gift shops and restaurants.

Police stepped up their presence at the event, which took place from

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Pacific Coast Highway from Avocado to Marguerite

avenues, because of complaints last year by residents about drinking,

fights and urinating in public.

But officers patrolling the walk said there were no problems of that

sort this time around.

“It’s been real quiet,” said Officer Tom Schomburg. “I am real

fortunate to have been put on this [assignment]. The crowds have been

great and we’ve just been out here talking with the people and passing

out stickers to the kids.”

Among those children was Trevor, who proudly showed off his police

badge sticker to anyone who stopped to let him pet their dog.

Dave and Becky Gamerman of Corona del Mar agreed that Sunday’s walk

was “a bit more quiet” than in previous years, even though they noticed

more people and dogs on the street.

“Each year, there are just more and more people,” Dave Gamerman said,

stopping to let his Akita, Ummei, sniff the chickens at one of the

petting zoos. “But it’s great to come down here and say ‘hi’ to all your

friends and neighbors.”

His wife, pulling their other Akita, Yushu, away from the chickens,

agreed.

“Plus it’s a chance to expose our dogs to the chaos of being around so

many other people and dogs,” she said.

John and Marcia Murdock said bringing their wheaten terrier, O’Brien,

to the Christmas Walk each year has become a holiday tradition since they

moved to Newport Beach three years ago.

“It’s nice just to wander around,” Marcia Murdock said, watching the

crowds of people make their way down the street, dressed in green and

red. “And we can bring our dog, and lots of shop owners let us bring him

in. That’s nice.”

“It is nice,” her husband added, giving O’Brien a pat on the head.

“It’s a great, festive time and a great walk.”