Paw Prints the Magazine

Dogtober Fest is back for its 16th Year

By Stacy E. Smith

It’s finally here, the last dog event of the year and in our experience it’s one of the most fun. Part of the reason we have such affection for Dogtober Fest may be because we started attending way back in 2002 – but not with Paw Prints – the magazine didn’t even exist yet.

Back then, Dale and I were feeding our dogs a food I discovered when I was living in Los Angeles called Flint River Ranch. The company has always distributed its food basically the same way Avon does – with individual representatives. We thought we’d sell the food as a supplement to our regular jobs and was our first foray into the pet industry.

Coincidentally, in short order, we stumbled upon some information about Dogtober Fest… but it was just a couple of days before the event. We called to see if there was still room for us and Marty Swindell at Jackson County Parks and Recreation said she could still make room, but only if we would be in charge of the puppy pen they set up for the puppies to play while the big dogs participated in the other events. We, of course, agreed. There weren’t many puppies to monitor, but there were plenty of people with their dogs and we had a great time.

This Tin Man really has heart

We participated again the following year – again selling dog food – but the weather on our second year wasn’t quite as kind. It was freezing cold and raining. We had no canopy like others that were veterans at these types of events, so we stood in the 30-something degree weather, nearly drenched (it might have event snowed a little that day). Why we stayed I’ll never know. We must have been having a good time.

In 2004 we attended again, but by then we had started our magazine, Paw Prints, and had a canopy, tons of magazines to pass out and no dog food. We were also on board as a sponsor that year and have been a sponsor ever since. We’re always so glad to be a part of this event.

So without further ado, why don’t I give some details about this year’s event…

For the sixteenth year the Jackson County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring DOGTOBER FEST 2009 on Sunday, October 18. This 16th annual event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center at Lake Jacomo in Fleming Park.

As always, the booths will feature pet products and services that will be of particular interest to pet owners. Breed clubs will be on hand with educational booths to help you choose a pet to fit your lifestyle. Various demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day. This is one of the reasons this event is different from the others. You’ll be able to see demos in obedience training, search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs for the disabled, sheep herding, water rescue dogs, Frisbee dogs, dock diving, carting and more. Area animal shelters and rescue groups will be there featuring dogs available for adoption (and don’t forget they also have cats – they just don’t enjoy these events the same way dogs do).

Does this pumpkin costume make me look fat?

Visitors may enter their dogs in contests and games throughout the day (there is literally an event going on at some point during the entire event). Dogs can compete for Best Halloween Costume (participants really go all out for this one) or try their luck at Bobbing for Biscuits, Musical Discs, Roll-Over Races and Sack Races. Free drawings and silent auctions will feature scores of pet products and services. You can even immortalize the fun of the day with a picture of your dog from the pet portrait photographer or the pet caricature artist.

One of many events also taking place at Dogtober Fest is the 16th Annual Tails for Trails Dog-Walk for Parks. The one-mile walk will be held on the nature trail at Kemper Outdoor Education Center. For an advance entry fee of $20 to $23 (or $25 at the gate), walk participants will receive a commemorative, limited edition T-shirt and a bag full of doggy goodies, coupons and special offers.

And that’s not all! There is never a dull moment at this event. Dogs that have already had basic training can participate in several special programs that were featured last year; including AKC Obedience and Rally fun matches, Agility fun runs, Weave Pole Races, Frisbee Competition, Dock Diving Competition and the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. A new event this year is the Greatest American Draft Dog fun match. Agility, Frisbee and Dock Diving workshops will also be offered for dogs new to these sports.

Man, I'm good at this.

There is no monetary admission required for this event, instead admission to the event is a donation of canned or bagged dog food to help reach the goal of five tons of food collected for the Independence and Lee’s Summit Animal Shelters.

Co-sponsors for DOGTOBER FEST 2009 include Paw Prints The Magazine, the D.O.G. Obedience

I think I can fly

Group, Pet Picassos, Hy-Vee of Blue Springs, Blue Springs Rent-A-Center, Pete & Mac’s Recreational Resort for Pets and MetroPet Magazine. For a DOGTOBER FEST 2009 brochure, please contact Jackson County Parks and Recreation at DogtoberFest@jacksongov.org or at 816-229-8980. A printable brochure and online event registration are available at www.jacksongov.org/dogtober.

Tags: dog event, Dogtober Fest, Jackson County Parks and Recreation, Kansas City Dog Event, Kemper Outdoor Education Center, pet event, Tails for Trails