Dog Days of Summer

Shocked at how bad this even was!
I’ve attended Dog Days of Summer for the Oakland A’s and the San Diego Padres, so I had similar events to compare this to. What a disappointment, so poorly organized and half-​assed.
This event has sold out in past years that I’ve tried to attend so I made sure to book early. There was a hefty price tag for pets and people, but given that AT&T Park is such a nice venue, I wouldn’t expect anything less. An application process and supporting documents from a vet is necessary and standard, no problem there.
I received notice my tickets would be at Will Call. We took a lap around the front of the park to find the correct window that had my tickets. Once I had the tickets, there was a specific entrance not labeled in any way on the complete other side of the park to get in with the dogs. From there we were directed to a couple unmarked tents where we had to ask about completing further paperwork to complete the process. Us, and another couple caught up in the confusion, asked around until we found someone with a clipboard to give us more forms to fill out. With all the excitement and the heat, our dogs were panting so we asked if they had water. NOPE! Seemed ridiculous not to have water stations around where dogs would be passing through on such a hot day. Figured there will be plenty inside as I’ve seen at other venues. NOPE! On our way in, we walked past someone handing out Giant’s leashes and were able to get one, but many others with dogs seemed to have missed that «gift».
The assigned seats for parties with dogs were mixed together with other non-​dog folks. Plenty of surprised attendees were less than happy about dogs in such close proximity to them, their kids, food, etc. all while baking in the sun, crammed together, with no shade. There were employees coming around occasionally offering water that they poured into little paper dishes, like the kind you often see used for french fries or hot dogs, and passing them down the rows. This was not a super easy process.
After a couple hours when my dog needed a potty break, we looked for the relief stations. NONE HERE! Your dog has to go, then he literally has to GO outside of the park to relieve himself.
I will never do this event again, nor recommend it to anyone else. You want to have a well planned, fun and festive experience done right, go across the bay and do Dog Days of Summer with the A’s.

LOOOOVE this event! We sign up to bring our little pooch every year! For a great cause, you get to dress your pooch up in her hottest Giant’s outfit/​costume and parade her around with hundreds of other friendly doggies. The costumes are freakin’ hilarious! The best part is that with sooo many doggies, they are all so well behaved! They have a doggie parade in the morning before the game starts, where you’re allowed to walk on the warning track of the baseball field. What’s cool is that if there are players out there, they’ll take pictures with you and your pooch. They usually give out Giants’ doggie party favor (This year was an orange tennis bone, last year was an orange Giant’s bone-​shaped foot/​water bowl, bandana, leash…) but they seem to be scrimping on the give-​outs as of late. Nevertheless, still a great party for you and your pooch, and a great afternoon to enjoy the game with your fur-​baby!

We went for the first time this year with our St. Bernard and we all enjoyed it! It was an awesome experience walking on the field with the dogs in costume (ours was dressed as Capt America) and within a few feet from the players. There were over 800 canines that day and it was a fun experience. I would have given five stars if the bleachers weren’t so crowded with dogs on the seats and blocking the floors to walk across the row.

Dog Days of Summer, hosted by the San Francisco Giants and the ASPCA, is a great opportunity to take your dog out on the town with you.
My fiancé and I took our dog a couple weeks ago and had a great time. There were hundreds of dogs. It’s pretty much the exact opposite of the Bark and Whine Ball — beer and t-​shirts versus wine and tuxedos.
I am fairly certain that it only happens once a year, so you’ll have to wait, but that just gives you more time to come up with a good costume idea for your dog to wear in the pre-​game costume contest and on-​field parade.
If nothing else, at least your dog can help you live that fantasy of trotting on to an MLB field of dreams. (Just know that security will not be letting you stay…)