A love of dogs is a powerful equalizer, bringing together young and old and people from all walks of life. And so it was last Saturday at the Dogs For Life Off-Leash Dog Park, where a hundred or so pooches, their human companions and scores of dog lovers gathered for the 15th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Pawrade and Pet Expo.
The fenced 4-acre park on 16th Avenue is pleasant and tree-shaded, with separate areas for large and small dogs, a Memorial Garden and a section where 4-H Dogmasters Club kids meet and work their dogs. Placed all around are big bowls of fresh water and all-important poop bag depositories.
Sporting a sparkly red cowboy hat, DFL founder and CEO Shelly Ferger scooted around in a golf cart, transporting pooches and people from the parking lot and making sure all was running smoothly.
As Hobo Jim sang a hilarious rendition of “Why Don’t You Love Me Like My Dog Does?,” volunteers Joan Freeman and Edna Hitzel sold tickets for the silent auction and raffle, and Mary Streff, Patti Schell and Bobby Clark registered a long line of costumed pups for the Pawrade.
Conversing at the gate were two Chihuahuas with the same name – Pixie Meissner, a typical tan shorthair, and Pixie Kemper, whose longer curly hair looked adorably as if she’d stuck her paw in a light socket. Her human Mary explained that Pixy had some wire-haired terrier in her.
Impressive costumes included dogs dressed as pumpkins, sharks, vampires and ballerinas. Lauri Tagliaferro’s poodle Hannah wore a pink poodle costume, complete with curly pink ears and bows. Ana Montoya’s beautiful silver schnauzer Oslo sported a black collar glittering with rhinestones. Hanging out together were Cody Cowles, a white lab mix, and Misha Nechay, a shepherd, with their humans Vicki and Lori.
Larry Ingham and his Papillion-poodle Lola were dressed as punk rockers; their ensembles created by wife Sherry. Both sported purple spiked hair, with Larry in a tie-dye tee and Lola wearing a purple tutu, skull-and crossbones tee and doggles.
Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit deputies and their partners showed off their skills with a breathtaking demonstration – Dep. Ron Adamson with Bud-D, Dep. Jim Dixon with Ruckus, Dep. Richard Henson with Falko, Dep. Rick Daniel with Lakota, and Dep. Christian Mathisen with Maco.
Due to a surge of disabled veterans reaching out for assistance, the tagline of the Dogs for Life Veteran Dog Program has recently been changed to “Training Assistance Dogs for Veterans,” which better reflects its focus, expertise and accreditation with Assistance Dogs International. There are currently 18 military veterans receiving training in the Veteran Dog Program, with several applications pending.
