by Animal Gambill LouisvillePetPals.com Staff

Event Column “Bark in the Park” Brings on the Bow-Wows

Click to view
full-size images

LOUISVILLE, KY, September 30, 2006 -- Okay dogs (and runners and walkers): “On your mark… Get set… Go!!!” That was how the New Balance “Bark in the Park” kicked off on Saturday morning at Seneca Park. The furrific festivities began with runners, walkers and bow-wows participating in a 5K Race and 1Mile Walk. Brian Hobbs was the first 2-legged runner across the finish line. However, canine critter, Slim, was not far behind – he and his human companion, Amy Durham, finished the race only 4 minutes and 49 seconds behind Brian. I don’t care what you say, that is dog-gone good running time no matter how you look at it!! Get down with your bad furry self, Slim!!

Runners and walkers enjoyed yummy carbs and coffee while they received their awards and accepted “door prizes” from New Balance of Louisville. However, the dogs chose to engage in more exciting activities – checking out each other’s better sides in their frisky “How do you do” kind of way (I think you know what I’m saying). Slim didn’t want to bother with all that. He was too busy playing frisbee (which was one of his prizes for being the first dog to cross the finish line). He was non-stop all morning!!

When the Run/Walk event came to a close, it was time to scope out all the Critter Cool vendors and play on the agility equipment provided by SuperDog Sports Center (who also provided a great agility demonstration). The dogs were having so much fun that I wanted to run the agility course, but I held myself back – I didn’t want to embarrass my dog, Riley. He surely would have been teased by all the other cool dogs if I had fallen victim to my urge to play on the agility equipment. Riley has enough issues without having to deal with being teased by other dogs because his Mom is Coo-Coo… but that is neither here nor there.



Moving along…The Flying Houndz treated everyone to some festive frisbee demonstrations – they are called the “FLYING” Houndz for a reason. Those canines were airborne almost the entire time!! They are a great club for frisbee-dog enthusiasts!!

The K9 Police Dog Unit came onto the field next – and they did not disappoint!! They kept the audience mesmerized by the incredible intensity and skill displayed only by a trained police dog. It was amazing to see a dog go from being turbo-friendly with an officer to being intensely motivated to bring the officer to his knees only a split second later. I would not want to be a “bad guy” anywhere near this dog!!

As the day progressed, the beautiful sun started to hide behind the clouds, but that did not dampen the mood one bit as the canine-related contests began. First up was the Tail-Waggin’ Tongue Twister contest. We left this contest up to the humans, while the dogs stood by and watched their 2-legged companions look Critter Crazy!!

The Mutt Millionaire trivia contest was the next form of entertainment for the dogs. They were amused as they learned how little we humans really know about the canine species. Nonetheless, we had some brave participants who won some furrific prizes from Three Dog Bakery. Contrary to popular belief, I learned that dogs don’t really sweat by salivating; they actually sweat through the pads of their feet. This contest offered other furry facts in the form of trivia for participating contestants.















Next up was the highly anticipated Canine Idol finalist competition… and none too soon because the rain was knocking on our dog-gone doorstep as the contest was halfway through. The crowd didn’t seem to mind at all, though. Everyone felt the need to hang around and watch the Creative Canine talent, in addition to hearing Simon “Howl” and Ryan “Ruff-Ruffin” Seacrest badger each other with paw-purrfect puns and jibes. Meanwhile, “Pawla” Abdul was her usual kind-hearted self, and Randy “Jack Russell” Jackson played it straight in his ‘Dawg Pound” appropriate way (unlike Simon “Howl” who had to try to take the dogs down a paw or two when he commented on their acts). The contest allowed 2 new contestants to enter the ring as “Bow-Wow Wild Card” contestants (that means they got to participate in the Canine Idol finalist competition even though they didn’t participate in the semi-finalist competition). A raffle was held to see who would have this special privilege. However, neither of the 2 “Bow-Wow Wild Cards” proved to be a threat for Tundra, the dice-rolling dog. Tundra was named the “Mutt Mama” of the Canine Idol as a result of possessing what the judges considered an unusual canine talent. Not to be out-done by Tundra, a cat-n-dog duo (Sniper and Dodger) entered the ring and claimed the title of “Pup Daddy.” Well, needless to say, this cat participant put a glitch in our title of “Canine” Idol and “Pup” Daddy award title. Oh well, critters will be critters… and I am always up for surprises. This furry duo worked as a tail-waggin’ team by displaying Sniper’s feline agility while standing on Dodger’s back and reaching for a treat. The pictures say it all!!

John Fowler stuck it out through the rain to educate the “Bark in the Parksters” about some dog-obedience training tips. Thanks John for hanging in there as the rain began to step it up a notch.

And that (as they say in show business) is all folks!! We had a Bow-Wow Blast while raising some much-needed furry funds for the Animal Care Society!!

I’ll sign off for now.

Make Every Day a Bow-Wow Blast,
Animal Gambill

See the Louisville Pet Pals' Pet Photos and Photography message board forum for many more Bark in the Park photos!