17 Feb Small Dogs, Big Community: Pee-Wee Paws Expands Across the East Bay

Couple Jason and Darlene Young — holding their senior Chihuahuas, Celine and Kilo — have started a monthly small dog walking group at Point Isabel as part of their multi-city Pee-Wee Paws Small Dog Meet Up events.  

Story and photos by Denis Perez-Bravo

What started as a simple way for two Chihuahua owners to help their dogs socialize has grown into a multi-city small-dog community stretching across the East Bay.

The Pee-Wee Paws Small Dog Meetup, founded by San Pablo residents Jason and Darlene Young, hosts strolls and social gatherings for small dogs and their owners, at first in Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda.

More recently, the couple has expanded the group’s reach, organizing monthly meetups at Pinole Valley Park, Richmond’s Point Isabel and Baldwin Park in Concord.

“Our love for our dogs, Kilo and Celine, turned into wanting to share that love with other people,” Darlene Young said at their second Point Isabel dog park walk on Feb. 13. “People love their dogs, and when all of us get together, it really becomes a community.”

At the meetups, the Youngs hand out cards with information about Pee-Wee Paws, chat with small-dog walkers and invite passersby to join future events.

After hearing about the dog park at Point Isabel from many previous visitors and seeing online posts about it, the couple decided to launch a meetup there.

“So I was like, let’s bring this here to the love here with the dogs,” Darlene said.

The group launched in Alameda, where it continues to hold monthly meetups on the first Sunday of each month at a dog park near the beach. Owners and their small dogs gather to let the animals run, play and socialize while the people connect.

“It’s an enclosed park by the beach, and they run around and they play together and people come and talk and interact,” Young said.

Pee-Wee Paws has also hosted themed events around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“We had a Halloween special and a Christmas,” Jason Young said. “I was dressed up as Santa Claus; she was Mrs. Santa Claus. People come out with their ugly sweaters, and the dogs dress up too.”

Jason said the idea for Pee-Wee Paws came from seeing how difficult it can be for small dogs to find safe, welcoming spaces to socialize.

“Chihuahuas, in general, have issues of hanging out with other dogs, so most of these are by themselves,” he said. “We just wanted something for them to do, for people to come out and enjoy a nice area and have fun.”

Chihuahuas are also known for forming strong bonds with their owners. Jason said the breed typically attaches closely to one person, though every dog is different

“They’re friendly, but they’re also very protective,” he said.

The Youngs said owning two Chihuahuas can be especially beneficial. Dogs that live in pairs often rely on each other for comfort, which can help reduce separation anxiety.

“They enjoy their interaction between each other,” Darlene said. “It also helps when you’re not there.”

Because of the dogs’ size and temperament, the Youngs say Chihuahuas thrive best in environments designed for small, friendly dogs — spaces where they can safely play, socialize and build confidence without being overwhelmed.

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Pee-Wee Paws meetups are open to small, friendly dogs, generally under about 20 to 25 pounds. The group promotes responsible pet ownership and a welcoming environment for both dogs and people.

As Pee Wee Paws continues to grow in Contra Costa County, the founders say their goal is simple: bring more people and pets together.

“We love bringing people and dogs together,” Darlene said. “It’s good for the community. Come out and have fun.”

People can find Pee-Wee Paws Small Dog Meetups on Facebook, Meetup or Instagram or email PeeWeePawsFun@gmail.com.