Shelter

Talega of San Clemente is a charming 3,500-acre community that perches just above the Pacific Ocean and boasts of 19 miles of trails, as well as an 18-hole, Fred Couples "signature" golf course, an expansive Swim and Athletic Club, and acres of parks and open space. And what better way to get potential buyers to visit your model-home neighborhoods than having a promotional event that would only attract the people within the community's target tax bracket?

Hence: A Very Important Pet Party to kick off the viewing of professionally designed and built "dog castles" by six prestigious Orange County homebuilders. Starting July 28 and continuing through Aug. 4, visitors can make their first stop at the Talega Welcome Center to pick up the designer-doghouse tour guide as they make their way through the participating Talega neighborhoods to view the mansion doghouses and, of course, the model homes. The event culminates on Aug. 5 at 4 p.m., when interested parties can make their bid at the live auction to give their dogs the best present they could ever give.

So what if the designers probably get tax write-offs and the shareholders of Talega get free promotional coverage? I must admit the event is for a good cause: The proceeds go to the Pet Project Foundation and the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. The lost, underfed and unwanted are benefiting. Having six dogs receive mansions could help a countless number of their brethren, and that's not too much to ask, right?

Right?

"It's a Dog's Life" at the Talega Welcome Center, 1201 Avenida Talega, San Clemente, (877) 482-5342; www.talega.com. Starts Thurs., July 26. Thurs.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Aug. 5. Free.