👋 Hey from Brandon
Well, we made it to the real heat. My truck thermometer read 94° in Coto de Caza on Tuesday, and by the time I finished a yard in Laguna Niguel it felt like the pavement was cooking. This is the stretch of summer where a little extra care goes a long way — for your pup, your grass, and your nose. Here’s what’s on my mind this issue.
🌱 Season’s Yard Tip: Water deep, water early
In July heat, most OC lawns do better with one or two deep soaks early in the morning than a light daily sprinkle. Deep watering pushes roots down where the soil stays cooler, and morning timing means less evaporation and fewer fungus problems. Bonus for dog owners: a well-hydrated lawn recovers faster from those brown “pee spots,” and it’s easier to keep clean. One thing to skip — don’t water right after we’ve scooped and rinsed; give the area an hour so the enzyme cleaners can do their job first.
🐾 Pup Health Corner: The 7-second paw test
You’ve probably heard me mention this, but it’s worth repeating in peak summer: press the back of your hand flat on the sidewalk or asphalt. If you can’t hold it there for a full 7 seconds, it’s too hot for paw pads — full stop. Dark pavement can hit 130°+ on a 90° afternoon, and burns show up as red, blistered, or peeling pads. Walk early morning or after sunset, stick to grass and shade when you can, and keep a collapsible water bowl in the car. If your dog starts limping or licking their paws after a walk, cool the pads with water and call your vet.
📍 Around OC: Three beaches that welcome dogs
Summer is beach season, and OC delivers — you just have to know the rules:
Huntington Dog Beach — the county’s only official off-leash dog beach, between Seapoint St and 21st St. Waste bags, water fountains, and restrooms on site. Grab a bite after at Park Bench Café near the pier.
Newport Beach — dogs are welcome on-leash, but not on the sand between 10am and 4:30pm year-round. Early morning or evening is your window.
Laguna Beach — most beaches allow leashed dogs, but they’re off the sand 9am–6pm from June 15 through September 10. Aim for a sunrise walk.
Always check the city page before you load up the car — rules shift with the season.
⭐ Featured Pup: Biscuit from Irvine
Biscuit is a golden retriever who, according to his humans, “supervises” every one of our visits from the patio door. His family switched to weekly service in June and told us Biscuit now runs the yard barefoot-happy — no more surprise landmines during his zoomies. Good boy, Biscuit. 🧡
Want your pup featured? Just reply with a photo and a sentence about them.
🚚 From Brandon’s Truck
Pulled up to a first-time yard in Ladera Ranch this week that hadn’t been scooped in about a month. Forty-five minutes and two full bags later, it looked like a lawn again — and the owner texted me a photo of her kids finally back playing on the grass that evening. That’s the whole job in one picture.
👉 One quick thing
New to OC Poop Scoop? Your first deep clean is on us. Our Summer Reset promo gets you a free first deep clean with any recurring plan — no contracts, cancel anytime. Text “Summer Reset” to (714) 831-5855 or visit ocpoopscoop.com/pages/summer-reset.
Stay cool out there. Walk early, hydrate often, and check those paws.
— Brandon
OC Poop Scoop · (714) 831-5855
Mon–Fri 7:30am–6pm · Sat 7:30am–3pm
Veteran-Owned & Family-Run · Serving Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Coto de Caza & surrounding OC
P.S. Know a neighbor whose yard could use some love this summer? Forward this their way.