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There was a parade,
there were contests and prizes, and there was lots of love. The day
even included a pet psychic, wading pools for the dogs to cool off
in and a demonstration put on by the Lincoln city police canine unit
showing how their police dogs serve the public. Most importantly Dog
Daze offered the people attending information about how to help dogs
that need loving homes and provided opportunities to adopt a pet
while there. The day was filled with fun, love, pride and all of
those good old family values that the city of Lincoln exemplifies.
The morning began
with registration on Sangamon Street across from the Blue Dog Inn
while the song "Puppy Love" filled the air more and more dogs
arrived. Twenty-seven owners had preregistered their dogs prior to
the on-site registration.
At first only a few
dogs were waiting for the day to start, but as parade time drew near
the street was packed with dogs. The dogs came in all shapes and
sizes. Some dogs were standoffish. Others sensed the excitement and
wanted to mingle. Some came dressed for the occasion while others
came as their natural selves. Some dogs were nervous, this being
their first time participating in the event, while those dogs that
had been here before put on an appearance of calmness, casually
awaiting the parade to start.
While the dogs went
about their business, most of their owners stood by, attending to
their dogs' every need or trying to keep them calm until notice to
begin the parade came. As the crowd of dogs assembled, event judges
also visited with them. Even Abraham Lincoln was present to see the
dogs.
At 9:30, Mikey, a
3-year-old golden retriever accompanied by owner Kim Schreiber, led
the parade of dogs from Sangamon Street to Kickapoo Street in front
of the Logan County Courthouse. Mikey was last year's "Abe's Choice"
at Dog Daze. By the time the parade began, the lineup of dogs
stretched from in front of the Blue Dog to the intersection of
Pulaski Street. The dogs majestically walked the parade route.
[Mikey
with owner Kim Schreiber]
As the dogs arrived
at the downtown square, they found a large crowd of people awaiting
them. They were now in the staging area where contests would be
held, where some dogs would perform tricks and where the winners of
this year's contests would be announced. Prizes would be given out
to their owners, and the "Who Let the Dogs Out" dog art was
included. The dog art was purchased by sponsors and consists of
fiberglass dog statues that artists uniquely decorated with paint,
mirrors, metal, decoupage and other materials. These statues were
shown in the windows of many Lincoln businesses.
[Ditka
watching the action in the shade.]
Many dogs
participated in contests, such as the largest and the smallest dog,
the dog with the longest tongue, and the best dressed dog. Dolly
Joe, a 17-month-old Saint Bernard owned by Bill Timm, took part in
the largest dog contest. Ditka, last year's largest dog, sat in the
crowd and watched, choosing not to participate this year.
Luna, a 2-year-old
sheltie owned by Cindy Holton of New Holland, presented a frisbee
catching trick for the onlookers to enjoy. Koko, a dachshund owned
by Val Carder, came dressed as a Lincoln Railsplitter fan. One dog
demonstrated how fast it could wag its tail.
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this article]
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[Koko is dressed as a Lincoln Railsplitter Fan.]
On the courthouse
lawn two separate groups presented information about how to help
dogs in need. Logan County Animal Control brought several dogs for
people who were looking for a pet to consider adopting. People could
adopt dogs for as little as $65 and take a new friend home with
them. Three lucky people adopted dogs at the event. For anyone
interested in adoption, Logan County Animal Control is located at
1517 Kickapoo St. Their website is
www.geocities.com/logancountyac/.
Another humane group
present was Peoria Greyhound Adoption. This group provides
greyhounds that formerly raced. Greyhounds have to retire after they
are 5 years of age. Some greyhounds, if they are not up to speed and
are not winning races, are retired earlier, at any age. In the past
when greyhounds were retired they were left to die or put to sleep.
Groups like Peoria Greyhound Adoption have formed to put a stop to
this kind of treatment. In doing so they have saved the lives of
many dogs.
Tara Overton Hennessy
of Lincoln adopted two 4-year-old greyhounds. Her dogs, Izzy and Ava,
originally raced in Kansan City, Kan. She said that they are
wonderful pets, very gentle and loving. Most people who think that
since they are racing dogs they must be hyper would be surprised at
how gentle they are. They are also very fast, being able to attain a
speed of 45 mph in only three steps. The greyhound is a magnificent
dog.
Peoria Greyhound
Adoption Inc. can be reached at P.O. Box 1253, Peoria, IL 61654; by
calling (309) 688-0021; by e-mail to
peoriagreyhound@hotmail.com; or on the Web at
www.greyhound-adoption.org.
Marilyn Wheat, who
walked with her dog Buddy in the parade, also can tell you how to
help dogs that are in need. She has had her dog for two years. She
found Buddy while she was out walking. He had been hit by a car and
had a broken leg, broken pelvis and other severe injuries.
Wheat took Buddy to
the veterinarian for treatment. She then adopted him. She says that
she is the lucky one because Buddy has became her best friend. Wheat
said that Buddy is hesitant around people, but he is a good dog. He
sleeps at the foot of her bed at night.
As noon drew near and
the contests, tricks and awards were coming to a close, the Lincoln
police canine squad gave a demonstration with one of their dogs. The
police dog sniffed out and found some illegal marijuana and
demonstrated his strength when pursuing a suspect. Cindy McLaughlin
of Main Street Lincoln volunteered to play the role of a suspect
that the dog would bite. She was wearing a protective arm sling and
was not harmed. The demonstration did show what would happen to
someone when caught by a police dog.
At the close of Dog Daze, McLaughlin
thanked everyone who participated in the event and the Dog Daze
sponsors: Best Friends Animal Hospital, Lincoln Animal Hospital and
Big R. McLaughlin said how much she loves Dog Daze and dogs. She
said that she hoped everyone had a good time. With the reaction of
the crowd it seems that they did and that Dog Daze will become an
annual event in Lincoln.
[Don Todd;
pictures by Bob Frank] |
