Its 6 p.m. and Marcus is on his way to “yappy hour.” He bounds along Bayside Walk, enjoying the light afternoon breeze off Mission Bay. The daily gathering of canines and their human companions is only a few blocks away along Sail Bay, but Marcus is restless with anticipation and decides to stop to wet his whistle on the way in a fountain. “He does this all the time,” said Yvonne Wiley, Marcus’ owner. Marcus is a small, mixed-breed boasting what appears to be a healthy dose of poodle DNA. Marcus deftly navigates the climb up to the water fountain. Wiley turns the handle and he laps away. Soon after, they arrive at the party where almost 10 more canine revelers await. There’s Gypsy — a Staffordshire terrier with specks of gray dotting her snout. There’s Schatzee, the charcoal schnauzer and Maggie, a silky terrier and eldest of the group — though she looks maybe half her 15 years. Sebastian, a glassy-eyed, diminutive Pomeranian, and Samantha, a massive yet benign Belgian shepherd who serenely gazes on as Mango arrives fashionably in a doggie trailer behind her owner’s bike. Denali is part wolf, part golden retriever and parts unknown. She looks mostly retriever, until she gnashes her teeth — one of her favorite tricks — and earns a treat. MeToo the cockapoo mulls about. Soon, two westies — Dugan and Maegan — and a cocker spaniel named Reggie stop by to see what the fuss is all about. The dogs get in line in surprisingly orderly fashion and await their treats. Though the dogs are of varying ages, sizes and origins, yappy hour is a peaceful affair. The 6 p.m. gathering is a daily highlight for the dogs, as it is for their human owners. The group has gathered in front of the ZLAC Rowing Club for more than four years. Those who interact with the dogs and each other sport smiles etched on their faces. The joy is contagious, evidenced by the fact that every dog walker cruising past stops to say hello. Yappy hour is an open society, always accepting new members. “There are no dues and no membership,” said Michele Morton, one of the participants. “Just bring treats.”