Poochapalooza sure to get tails wagging

[bigdoglover]

HeraldNet

By Jackson Holtz

MARYSVILLE - Lucky's wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Daisy, a feather boa. And Liberace, a toy fox terrier, will have diamonds, of course.

Their owners are preparing all three dogs for Poochapalooza, the newest event in the Marysville Strawberry Festival lineup.

On Sunday, dogs of all stripes and spots will strut, jump, sit and bark at Asbery Field near Marysville Junior High School.

Event organizer Leslie Buell, Lucky's owner, said she's taken her mutt to many dog events and wanted Marysville to have its own four-legged fair.

Plus, she said, the event would help raise money for a city-run off-leash dog park.

While humans will get in free, dog owners will have to pay $15 for the first dog they bring, and $10 for each additional dog.

The Strawberry Festival underwrote the four-legged fair, but Buell said she was able to raise enough sponsorship money from local businesses to defray the entire cost.

People can visit a variety of dog vendors and enter dogs in a whole pack of contests: best costume, stupid pet tricks, cutest ugly dog, longest tail, longest ears and more.

There will be doggie demonstrations throughout the day, including mushing, K-9 freestyle dancing and dog agility.

Buell said she expects about 1,500 to 2,000 people to attend. There will probably be about the same number of pooches.

"I'm really excited," she said. "We'll definitely make this an annual event."

Safety tips

Make sure the dog is well restrained with a properly fitting collar or harness.

Don’t have a small child walking a big dog. Be sure whoever is walking the dog is age- and size-appropriate for the pet.

If you dress your dog in a costume, make sure the pet is a properly introduced and comfortable wearing the outfit. Nothing should restrict the animal’s airway or hurt its eyes.

Be current on basic vaccines.

If the animal acts up, keep a firm grip on the leash and move away from whatever is causing the aggression.