A Frenchie Named Walter and the Gathering of Mad Dogs by the Sea

The morning began the way Carmel prefers to introduce itself, gently, with a hush of wind and a shimmer of light that feels almost intentional.

A soft breeze ruffled the leaves overhead, scattering shadows across the sidewalk like fleeting brushstrokes. Beneath them, a row of pastel sidecars gleamed in intermittent sunlight, their lacquered surfaces catching flashes of gold between branches. These particular sidecars, in hues of mint green, aqua blue, blush pink, and a vibrant orange, were part of a limited Mad Dogs & Englishmen collection inspired by vintage Fiat Jolly cars, each color drawn from the original Italian palette. First introduced two summers ago, the collection was born from owner Jennifer Blevins’ admiration for the iconic open-air vehicles seen along the shores of Lake Como. Originally launched in celebration of the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, where guests are chauffeured in their own fleet of Fiat Jollies, the colors were carefully matched to the hotel’s signature cars. Today, these sidecars remain entirely exclusive to Mad Dogs & Englishmen, with new additions in peach and sage soon to join the collection, further cementing their place as one-of-a-kind design objects in motion.

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Striped awnings stretched above each carriage, offering a second layer of shelter for their eager passengers. Small paws shifted. Noses lifted. Tails flickered with anticipation. The air carried that particular electricity that gathers when something joyful is about to unfold.

At the center of it all stood Walter Geoffrey the Frenchie, the guest of honor, poised with quiet charisma as if fully aware the day had been composed in his name. The gathering marked Walter and Charlotte’s Coastal Social, a holiday visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea and the first of its kind, bringing together a community in celebration of connection, companionship, and the joy of shared experience.

A hum of excitement rippled through the crowd as Martin, serving as the day’s guide, gathered riders and began to map the experience ahead. With an ease born of familiarity and care, he walked the group through each turn and incline, his voice grounding the moment while elevating it. Nearby, Amber (Walter Geoffrey & Charlotte's Mom) offered a heartfelt welcome, her words warm and full, thanking those who had traveled from across the country to be here. There was a sense of reunion in the air, of community drawn together not by obligation, but by affection.

And then, as if cued by something unspoken, the group set off.

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The procession rolled out from Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop, wheels humming softly against the pavement as they drifted down Mission Street toward Eighth Avenue. A striking formation of twelve sidecars moved in unison, each carrying its canine passenger, creating a scene so distinct it felt almost surreal. There is, quite simply, nowhere else in the world that offers this kind of experience, a moving tableau of design, joy, and companionship. In that moment, the procession itself became a form of living art, a reflection of Carmel’s creative spirit brought vividly to life.Under Martin’s thoughtful lead, the ascent toward Scenic Drive unfolded gradually, the incline softened by laughter and the rhythmic turning of pedals. A coastal breeze moved alongside them, carrying with it the scent of salt and cypress.

They passed the storied La Playa Hotel, its pale façade tucked quietly above the shoreline. Originally built in 1905 as a grand summer residence for artist Christian Jorgensen, the property has long held its place within Carmel’s creative lineage. Over time, it evolved into a hotel that welcomed poets, painters, and wanderers alike, its gardens and courtyards bearing witness to decades of quiet inspiration.

Beyond it, the landscape opened.

Cypress trees stretched skyward, their sculptural forms shaped by years of wind and weather. Sunlight filtered through their branches in fractured beams, illuminating glimpses of the coastline below. The cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea appeared like fragments of a storybook, softened by age, cloaked in ivy, their uneven rooflines and textured walls offering a kind of architectural poetry that resists replication.

The sky above held a perfect, uninterrupted blue.

As the group continued along Scenic Drive, the horizon revealed itself in full, an expanse of ocean so clear it seemed almost painted. The road curved gently, guiding them toward one of Carmel’s most quietly remarkable landmarks, the Clinton Walker House.

Perched at the edge of Carmel’s coastline, the Clinton Walker House by Frank Lloyd Wright rests low against the land, its copper lines echoing the horizon beyond. Designed in 1948 as his only oceanfront residence in California, it feels less built than gently placed, as if the sea itself had a hand in its creation.

Designed in 1948 by Frank Lloyd Wright, the home rests low against the shoreline, its angular form and copper roofline echoing the geometry of the sea. Commissioned for Della Walker, it remains the only oceanfront residence Wright ever designed in California, a structure both grounded and expressive, shaped as much by its environment as by the architect’s vision.

Just before it, a set of stone steps descended toward the beach.

The bikes and sidecars came to rest beneath a canopy of cypress, their colors momentarily muted by shade. One by one, the dogs made their way down, paws meeting cool stone, then soft sand, then the edge of something infinite.

Carmel Beach stretched wide and luminous under the midday sun. The air tasted faintly of salt. Waves rolled in with a steady rhythm, dissolving into lace at the shoreline. In the distance, the contours of Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay shimmered against the horizon.

And then, the moment broke open.

A ribbon of white sand unfurls beneath a sky brushed in blue, where Carmel Beach meets the horizon in quiet brilliance. In the distance, Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach trace the edge of the Pacific, a soft reminder that beauty here doesn’t end, it simply fades into something just as extraordinary.

Dogs surged forward, their energy spilling into the surf. Some bounded headlong into the water, fearless and bright, while others approached with cautious curiosity, dipping paws into the foam before retreating, only to try again. A Frenchie darted through the shallows, ears lifted like sails. An Alaskan Malamute carved wide arcs across the sand, trailing droplets that caught the light like glass. Bark met laughter. Water met wind. Time loosened its grip.

Walter Geoffrey moved through it all with delight, weaving between companions, pausing just long enough to take in the scene before launching once more into the joy of it.

Eventually, as all perfect moments must, the tide of the day gently shifted.

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The group gathered once more, ascending the steps, brushing sand from paws and hems, returning to their waiting sidecars. Under Martin’s continued guidance, the ride carried on along Scenic Drive, rounding the bend past the iconic Butterfly House, a mid-century modern landmark designed in 1951 by architect Francis Whitaker. Its winged roofline, poised dramatically above the cliffs, has long served as a symbol of Carmel’s architectural boldness, a place where design meets the edge of the Pacific with quiet confidence.

By late afternoon, they found their way back to where the day had begun.

And it is here that the story folds into the vision of one woman whose imprint on Carmel is both tangible and deeply felt.

Jennifer Blevins, owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike & Coffee Shop, has long understood that her spaces are not simply places of business, but vessels for connection. It was she who first welcomed Walter Geoffrey to Carmel-by-the-Sea two years ago, when he was presented with the symbolic “bone to the city” by the mayor, a moment that cemented his place within the town’s ever-evolving story.

This year, she did more than host. She curated.

With a sensibility that blends hospitality, community, and an instinct for joy, Jennifer once again opened her doors, bringing together a cross-country gathering of friends, dog lovers, and kindred spirits to celebrate Walter Geoffrey in a way that felt both intimate and expansive. Her dedication to Carmel extends far beyond a single event. It is woven into the daily rhythm of her work, into the way she fosters belonging, into the way she champions experiences that feel personal, memorable, and rooted in place.

That commitment has not gone unnoticed. Mad Dogs & Englishmen has been honored as Business of the Year, and its adjoining coffee shop has earned recognition among the top 50 coffee shops in the country, accolades that speak not only to quality, but to the culture she has so thoughtfully cultivated.

A perfectly poured puppuccino, where a swirl of foam becomes pure, tail-wagging delight.

Upstairs at Mad Dogs & Englishmen Coffee Shop, the celebration took on its evening form.

The space had been transformed. The marble coffee bar, typically home to morning rituals and espresso, now held an abundant spread curated by Pacific Coast Private Chefs. Croissant sandwiches flaked delicately under hand, sausage rolls carried a savory warmth, and puff pastries offered crisp, golden layers that dissolved effortlessly. A charcuterie display unfolded in textures and tones, each element arranged with care.

Nicole Huebner of Albatross Ridge Winery moved gracefully through the room, pouring the 2022 Cuvée Owen Pinot Noir, the Cuvée Béton Chardonnay, and a luminous Pétillant Naturel Rosé. Each glass carried the character of the region, bright, expressive, quietly complex.The partnership with Albatross Ridge extends beyond the glass. Founded by passionate dog lovers, the winery has embraced a uniquely dog-friendly ethos, even offering thoughtful touches like “dog flights” alongside their traditional tastings. Together with Mad Dogs & Englishmen, they have created a one-of-a-kind experience in nearby Carmel Valley, where guests can ride through the vineyard with their dogs in sidecars before enjoying a curated food and wine pairing among the vines, an experience that seamlessly blends hospitality, landscape, and companionship.

Music drifted in from the corner where Kito Rayburn played, his sound a blend of indie, folk, and rhythm that seemed to settle into the room rather than fill it. Nearby, Ashley Grace of Evermore Sunshine sat at her keys, crafting custom poetry in real time, each piece a small, tangible memory offered to guests as the evening unfolded.

And then there was the cake.

Created by Olga Rosenblat, founder of MISHKA, the piece stood as both centerpiece and philosophy. Her San Francisco-based atelier has reimagined the way we nourish and celebrate our dogs, crafting handmade cakes, broths, jerky, and confections with an attention to detail that mirrors fine culinary practice. Each ingredient is selected with care, free of preservatives, designed to honor both health and beauty.

What began as a personal gesture has grown into a brand embraced by institutions such as The Ritz-Carlton, Hermès, and Google, yet its heart remains rooted in something simple, the desire to celebrate the bond between people and their animals with intention and artistry.

As guests gathered around, the cake became more than dessert. It was a reflection of the day itself, thoughtful, joyful, and shared.

Yet beneath the celebration, there was also a quiet current of purpose.

The evening’s gathering raised $1,500 in support of Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, a beloved Monterey County nonprofit devoted to ensuring that senior dogs and their guardians are never separated by circumstance. Through fostering, veterinary support, and a network of compassionate volunteers, the organization provides care for dogs whose owners can no longer look after them due to illness, age, or hardship, preserving not only lives, but the deeply rooted bonds that define them.

In an additional gesture of generosity, Dina Eastwood contributed $500 to an animal rescue of Walter Geoffrey’s choosing, extending the spirit of the day beyond celebration and into meaningful impact.

Two delighted pups savor their puppuccinos from Mad Dogs & Englishmen Coffee, a small moment of frothy joy served with a side of Carmel charm.

Outside, the sky deepened.

Through the arched windows overlooking Devendorf Park, the evening unfolded in hues of amber and crimson. The white façades of Carmel’s buildings absorbed the color, holding it briefly before releasing it back into the dusk. Inside, glasses lifted, conversations lingered, and somewhere between music and laughter, the day settled into memory.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has long been known for its devotion to dogs, not as an amenity, but as an ethos. Here, they are welcomed not just into spaces, but into experiences, onto beaches, into courtyards, beside tables, into the very rhythm of the town.

Walter Geoffrey’s Coastal Social was not simply a celebration. It was a portrait of that spirit, guided with care by Martin, shaped by community, and made possible through the vision and generosity of Jennifer Blevins, whose devotion to Carmel continues to create spaces where moments like these can unfold.

As the evening drew to a close, there was a collective sense that something meaningful had taken place, something lighthearted, yes, but also enduring.

And somewhere, just beyond the glow of the windows and the last notes of music, the ocean continued its steady song.

Walter Geoffrey the Frenchie, effortlessly holding court on his birthday, equal parts charm, character, and the reason the day unfolded so beautifully.

Here's to you, Walter Geoffrey & Charlotte!

Carmel is waiting for your return.

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