Sadness on the Strip

On his walk this morning Your Boulevardier came upon a small group of people gathered around a dead dog in the gutter on Castro Valley Boulevard near Worley's. The animal, which looked to be a Chihuahua mix, black with brown and white markings, was not recently killed; perhaps it had been hit by a car overnight.

The people were debating what to do about the dog. They had removed its collar and (based on a small bit of eavesdropping) it's presumed they were planning to call a number on the tag. All Your Boulevardier heard was one young woman saying to another, "So put the collar back on it."

It's heartbreaking when a pet is killed, and it's anguishing to see an animal dead in the roadway. The easiest thing to do when one comes upon such a situation is to wince and move along. Your Boulevardier respectfully tips his beret to these people who chose not to just turn their heads and walk on by.

Dogs Spotted Yesterday

Your Boulevardier was happy to see two dogs sitting quietly at the feet of their owners who dined on the outdoor patio of Rigatoni's yesterday, mid-day. One was a large golden retriever-style dog (perhaps a mutt) and the other was a small grey terrier of some sort.

Kittycorner, near Chipotle, a young woman walked an energetic white standard poodle -- one with the traditional-yet-seldom-seen "Dutch Clip" poodle haircut.

Sunday Buzz

Your Boulevardier and the Subcompact Loaner walked to Valley Java this morning. We have three observations:

1) The construction of the 238-Strobridge interchange seems to have stopped at about 90 percent of completion. Though the ramps themselves are finished, cones (or whatever one calls those upright orange pylons with the black bases that are glued to the pavement) and striping are all that, to this layman's eyes, remain to be completed. Along with regular trash removal, of course.

2) The congregants of the Neighborhood Church may be fine people, but they really don't seem to care much about pedestrians and small dogs who are trying to cross Castro Valley Boulevard. A little more observation and courtesy would be appreciated. Please, friends: at least pretend to stop at the limit line -- that's the first line of the crosswalk -- before turning right onto John Drive.

3) The activity level at Valley Java was, at least at this visit, considerably lower than it used to be. Maybe Peet's has siphoned off some of the business, or perhaps the decamping of Judge Peggy Hora to parts east has caused her klatsch to find another place to gather.

Four Castro Valley Murals

Your Boulevardier spent some time over the weekend walking in San Francisco's Mission District and was swept away by the many stunning murals in the neighborhood. Then he realized: though they're not as eclectic, Castro Valley has a few murals of its own. Four are documented here; can you name others? Please click on the photos for larger images.


This mural is on the side of the former Valley Truck, 2625 Castro Valley Boulevard. The place is now a Budget Rent-A-Truck location (Your Boulevardier misses Valley Truck's giant tire sign), and the rental agency has chosen to mar the mural with its drop box and signage. Still, it's a fun mural and very appropriate for the business that formerly resided here.


This natural - perhaps hyper-natural - scene is on the garage door at Castro Valley Companion Animal Hospital, 2509 Lessley Avenue. (It's the same place that has the whimsical three-dimensional sign.)


Another veterinarian's office - this time Boulevard Pet Hospital, 3489 Castro Valley Blvd. - has a fetching collection of animals painted all over its building. The menagerie seems to expand each time Your Boulevardier walks by. (This is where both Chat du Boulevardier and the Trusty BoulevarDog received their care; at times, Your Boulevardier hopes to see their images immortalized too.)


A scene that could easily be at Lake Chabot is actually painted on the wall of Blenzers, 20668 Rustic Drive in Castro Village. Your Boulevardier is surprised that more people don't sit under the eaves at these tables on warm days, but the awnings at Starbucks seem to be more popular.

Help Find Doobie

Your Boulevardier came across this poster on this morning's stroll.



Sad to say, but there are always plenty of lost dog posters around town. But this one caught the eye because of its poignant honesty. The small type at the bottom, perhaps unreadable in this photograph, says:

"His name is doobie, no tag no collar... I know.. I'm stupid."

Your Boulevardier hopes Doobie is recovered, and when that happens he promptly receives a collar, tag, and microchip.