How do you prepare your dog for a run/walk? Jessica Sanchez said “Sleep and poop before the race.” Practical words for any pet owner participating in the 6th Annual Jingle Paws Walk For Pets 2016 held at Cuyamaca College’s Water Conservation Park on Dec. 3. Sanchez’s lab, Cali, not only did the run/walk but managed to pull off best pet costume as well with her husband Joe parading Cali as Mrs. Santa Claus, before the judges. Holiday inspired costumes were encouraged for pets and owners.
How do you prepare your dog for a run/walk? Jessica Sanchez said “Sleep and poop before the race.” Practical words for any pet owner participating in the 6th Annual Jingle Paws Walk For Pets 2016 held at Cuyamaca College’s Water Conservation Park on Dec. 3. Sanchez’s lab, Cali, not only did the run/walk but managed to pull off best pet costume as well with her husband Joe parading Cali as Mrs. Santa Claus, before the judges. Holiday inspired costumes were encouraged for pets and owners.
Jingle Paws is a fundraiser for ACES (El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services) Foundation who assists the El Cajon Animal Shelter. ACES helps pay for animal surgeries for pets that would otherwise be unadoptable among other projects and helps with other monies needed by the shelter not covered by the City of El Cajon. It is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
According to ACES Foundation President Peggy Buffo this year’s walk had around 50 preregistered pet owners with their pets (although a pet is not required to participate) as well as any walk-ups that followed. Pets and their owners followed a preordained path around the gardens.
Buffo highlighted that this year’s event included a costume contest, peanut butter spoon lick, the walk/run around the water conservation garden, music by Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a silent auction, and had 20 vendors or rescue groups exhibit their wares.
One of the vendors was the FACE Foundation, which was manned by Rachel Rothstein. Rothstein was getting the word out about their foundation that provides financial assistance to pet owners faced with emergency pet costs.
Whatever Eve Guianan of Alpine did she not only had her min pin, Thunder, passing yorkies and German shepherds on the untimed walk/run but winning in the costume pet/owner contest. She attributes her fast pet’s speed to “He got a lot of sleep last night. He eats Nature Balance Dog Food.” Guianan and Thunder won in best costume pet and owner division with costumes designed by family members.
The Holly family and Taylor family won in best costume – couple division.
In attendance was El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis who was asked who should win the costume contest and he said, “All of them.”
Tamra Clemente, owner of shelties Mango and Sage, utilized the on-site Santa to get a picture of her and her pets.
Vendor Jenna McLean with The Naked Dog Shop watched the parade of dog costumes from her table and cited “Mrs. Santa Claus,” or Cali, as her favorite even before Cali won. McLean has a good eye for winners.
ACES volunteer Jane Moore voiced this about the future new animal shelter “Everybody at ACES Foundation are excited to hear that the new animal shelter will become a reality in 2018.” The new animal shelter, which will be funded by monies collected from Proposition O, passed in 2004, will be located at 1351 N. Marshall Avenue.
The jingles heard at this Rancho San Diego based event were part monies or coins jingling being raised to help support the proposed shelter and plain old jingle bells.
