Sunday is a special day for members of the Sacramento Itty Bitty Dog group – it’s when the “Itty Bitty” dogs come out to play at Carmichael Canine Corral.

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters

One hundred eighty dogs and their owners make up the group which started in May 2008. The group meets about twice a month at the park for an afternoon of play.

  The Sunday circle at the small dog area of the Carmichael Canine Corral. (Image by: Kalyn Ruijters)

To be considered “Itty Bitty,” dogs must be 12 pounds or smaller. Organizer of the group, Joan Lutz, said most of the dogs are rescue dogs. 

Organizer Joan Lutz with her usual lap of "Itty Bittys". (Image by: Kalyn Ruijters)

It’s not just the dogs who enjoy the socialization, though, the owners enjoy spending afternoons discussing anything dog-related: nutrition, product recalls, doggy fashion and dog-sitting. It’s not uncommon to see a doggy manicure (owners clipping nails) during a meetup. 

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters

The Itty Bitty Dog Group started when four women – Sus Brown, Jeni Vogt, Sherrie Alpers and Christine Golden – decided to start a no-charge group to socialize their dogs.

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters

Lutz said she seeks out and approves new members through Meetup.com (http://toydog.meetup.com/97/). Besides socializing at the dog park, dogs and owners attend potluck dinners, fundraisers and annual dog events such as Woofstock, Petapalooza and Doggy Dash.

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters

While the dogs either decide to sit upon their owners’ laps, kick up dust or get their sniffs and exercise in.

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters

The Carmichael Canine Corral is the most visited dog park in all of Sacramento, according to Lutz, and the park is in need of renovation. 

Carmichael Canine Corral, large dog area. (Image by: Kalyn Ruijters) The Itty Bitty Dog Group group, with the help of photographer Micheal Hall, put together its first annual calendar to raise money for the cause. The calendar is a collection of portraits of the “Itty Bitty” dogs and their owners. All the proceeds go to raise money for the renovation of the dog park.

First annual Sacramento Itty Bitty Dog Group calendar. (Image by: Kalyn Ruijters)

Some of the renovations needed include a new ground cover, permanent seating and benches for dog owners, higher fences and a separate sally port to separate smaller dogs and larger dogs, Lutz said.

Carmichael Canine Corral, small dog area. (Image by: Kalyn Ruijters)

Anyone can purchase a calendar, donate, or memorialize a beloved companion by having a personalized brick laid at the park. For more information, click here www.carmichaeldogpark.com

Image by: Kalyn Ruijters