While Balboa Park is my blog beat, animal benefit events that welcome furry friends are what really make my heart beat. That’s why I’m excited to report that our Big Bay friends over at Hornblower Cruises & Events are hosting the 10th annual Pet Rescue Day on the Bay on Saturday, May 15.

If you were cat-napping during the first nine, then you probably aren’t aware that this is the one time of year that we dogs are welcome aboard the poop decks of a Hornblower ship for a free one-hour harbor cruise. What’s more, tickets for humans are only $10 (half-off the regular price) when they bring a donation of a new or gently used (i.e., not chewed/shredded) blanket or towel.

What’s with the blankets and towels? you ask. Why, to provide comfort to less-fortunate pets at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. A portion of the $10 admission fee will also benefit the center.

The three pet-friendly cruises on May 15 set sail at 10:30am, 12 noon, and 1:30pm, and you are encouraged to book ahead to guarantee your spot for you and Spot. Blankets and towels will be collected from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Hornblower Cruises & Events ticket booth at 1060 North Harbor Drive. (The $10 discounted tickets can be used any time before 12/31/2010, though my kind are only allowed on board on May 15.)

Still on the fence? Then check out this fun video footage of a past Pet Rescue Day:

Spring not only brings the delightful scent of blossoming flowers to Balboa Park but, more importantly, the mouth-watering smell of grilled sausages and other delectable treats—fit for canine consumption—at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages.

Each Sunday, from March through October, 32 different nations take turns celebrating their cultural heritage with tasty food and beverages; spirited music and dance; and traditional arts, crafts, and costumes, during a festive afternoon Lawn Program.

This Sunday, April 25, the jolly ol’ House of England marks its 75th year in Balboa Park as one of the 15 original international cottages set up for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.

In honor of St. George’s Day (April 23), the Moreton Bay Fig Morris Dancers and a local children’s dance troupe will perform traditional English folk dances in period attire, while the singing group, aptly named the Vocalists, belt out traditional British favorites.

In addition to the merry entertainment, this Beefeater plans to especially enjoy the nice assortment of noshables available for purchase. Among the possible doggie treats will be bangers, shepherd’s pie, meat pastries, homemade sausage rolls, scones, and a variety of English cakes and cookies.

The following week, May 2, the House of Poland’s Lawn Program will bring me even more juicy sausages.

Celebrating its 40-year anniversary, it’s difficult to dismiss Earth Day as just some hippie counterculture environmentalist fad anymore. So how can you do your part to reduce your carbon paw print? Well, the best place to get started is the largest free environmental fair in the world, which just happens to take place in Balboa Park this Sunday, April 18.

Marking its 20th year, EarthFair draws over 60,000 visitors to the Park to browse more than 350 vendor booths, enjoy live music on three stages, and play in a special Children’s Area that features crafts, games, face-painting, and storytelling. There’s even, thankfully, an animal-friendly food pavilion that offers healthy alternatives to the usual fair fare.

EarthFair is a great way to go beyond recycling to learn about organic gardening, eco-safe and cost-effective home improvements, the different alternative fuel vehicles available, as well as great ways to pamper yourself with natural health care products and services. You can also see all the creative things artists can do with recycled materials in the eARTh Gallery.

But Cosmos, with 60,000 bipeds coming to Balboa Park where are we supposed to park, you ask? Fear not, the EarthFair organizers have you covered with detailed instructions on taking public transportation, special lots with shuttle service, and other forms of alternate transport.

For a complete list of all the activities, music acts, participating exhibitors, and other useful info, be sure to visit www.EarthDayWeb.org.

It’s time once again to don your favorite tie-dyed apparel as Woofstock 2010 invades Balboa Park this Saturday, April 10, from 10am to 3pm at the corner of Park Blvd. and President’s Way.

You and your best buddy will enjoy frolicking in the K-9 playground, watching flyball and disc dog demos, showing off in the best trick contest, listening to groovy music, browsing Fido-friendly vendor booths, and noshing on yummy treats.

The 60s-themed festival, which kicks off at 9:00am with the Peace, Love, and Walk ‘n Roll fun dog walk, raises funds for Canine Companions for Independence.

It doesn’t take a smart dog like me to know that spring is alive and well in Balboa Park this year. Spring traditions abound as the San Diego Museum of Art prepares to celebrate the 29th year of Art Alive (April 30-May 2), the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden bursts with colorful roses, and the Botanical Building presents its annual Easter Lily display.

Though the holiday is past, the scent lingers on as hundreds of fragrant white lilies encircle the Botanical Building’s central planter. On view through April 21, the time-honored flower’s symbolism is rooted (so to speak) in Mediterranean cultural traditions dating back thousands of years.

While gorgeous in their own right, these stark white beauties cannot help but set off the brightly colored orchids surrounding them. Thanks to a major grant, over 100 new orchids were added to the Botanical Building’s collection last year, resulting in what can almost be termed an embarrassment of floral riches.

Dozens of different varieties of orchids in full bloom can now be found grouped in ornamental arrangements throughout the building. Some of the more beautiful species on view include the wine-colored Cymbidium orchid, the aptly named Lady’s Slipper orchid (pictured), and the animal-print-looking Zygopetalum orchid.

Given the amount of time I enjoy spending in the Botanical Building, the Park’s gardeners will be happy to know my days of digging in flower beds are long past.