Dog lovers gathered for the Pooch in the Park event in La Mesa to benefit Canine Corners, the dog run at Harry Griffen Regional Park, home of the beloved dog run area on Oct. 11. Pooch in the Park was put on as a co-op between Fletcher Hills Kiwanis Club and La Mesa Kiwanis Club.
Vendors such as Camp Bow-Wow, San Diego Mobile Pet Spa, the San Diego Humane Society, VCA Animal Hospital Grossmont, and author Nancy Gordon, staffed booths to educate the public about taking care of and, in all honesty, pampering their dogs.
Dog lovers gathered for the Pooch in the Park event in La Mesa to benefit Canine Corners, the dog run at Harry Griffen Regional Park, home of the beloved dog run area on Oct. 11. Pooch in the Park was put on as a co-op between Fletcher Hills Kiwanis Club and La Mesa Kiwanis Club.
Vendors such as Camp Bow-Wow, San Diego Mobile Pet Spa, the San Diego Humane Society, VCA Animal Hospital Grossmont, and author Nancy Gordon, staffed booths to educate the public about taking care of and, in all honesty, pampering their dogs.
Ray Bello of Fletcher Hills Kiwanis and Glenna Bloemen of La Mesa Kiwanis work together on many events. This was the second annual Pooch in the Park, which is supported and popular. “We love dogs, I used to have and show St. Bernard’s, I wanted a fun dog show, and it’s also a fundraiser,” said Bloemen. That’s where Bello comes in, Bloemen explained. “We give an annual fundraiser for the Lieutenant Governor of the East County Kiwanis Club, and Glenna chose a dog show for her fundraiser, even though she’s a cat owner now,” Bello said.
Net proceeds of this fundraiser will go towards maintenance of Canine Corners that has three sections—one for little dogs, one for big dogs, and one for dogs who are “socially challenged.”
Free to the public, there was a $20 fee for up to two dogs to enter the costume contest, opportunity drawings, a demonstration by the Canine Department of the La Mesa Police Department, and announcement of the best costumed pooch filled the agenda of the three-hour event that drew a diverse group of dogs and owners.
Pink, a three-legged Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless dog) who had a leg amputated at one year old, belongs to Nancy Gordon who founded a non-profit called “Xolos for Chronic Pain Relief.” Gordon writes about coping and managing through adversity, and does workshops and speaking engagements with Pink.
Miss Fit is a pit bull, became a service dog through the San Diego Humane Society and now lives with a 94-year old man with dementia. Her handler stopped by the event on his way to an agility course.
San Diego Department of Animal Control Officers also attended the event. They hope to chip away at the negative stigma attached to animal control.
“People don’t mean to neglect, but being a pet owner is a responsibility. Any time an animal gets hurt, by law they need care,” said Officer Price.
If you see something, you can say something, and not worry about dogs suffering a worse fate.
“It’s important for the public to know that we’re here, if someone isn’t taking care of their dogs, they can call us” said Officer Spencer.
If a stray is reported and/or apprehended, those dogs are scanned for microchips, listed on their website, go on a stray hold for up to five days and every attempt is made to find the owner. If the dog is not claimed, they are listed for adoption. Only rarely are dogs humanely euthanized after going through temperament tests.
“They stay with us until they find a mommy or a daddy,” said Officer Price, who is the owner of a rescued pit bull.
Legally, owning an animal truly is a responsibility, but judging by costumes, the turnout, and the happiness on the faces of the dog-loving people at Pooch in the Park, having a dog by their sides was more like a joyful partnership.
