The Spooky Pooch
Looking for a fun event that you and your precious pooch can attend this fall? Mark your calendars for Oct. 11 for the Spooky Pooch event!
According to Marla Varmuza, who’s helping to coordinate this year’s event, the Spooky Pooch is a must-see festivity for you and your furry friends. “This local event features of host of activities to increase the connection between dogs and their human companions,” she adds.
The Harry Whiting Brown Community Center in Glendale is playing host to this year’s Spooky Pooch and activities include the Spookiest Pooch dress-up contest and parade, the professional groomers’ Creative Grooming exhibitions, a rescue dog makeover competition called fought To Fluff and great activities for man’s best friend such as a lure and agility course.
The event is entering its third year and benefits a number of local organizations including the Cincinnati SPCA, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Glendale HWB Community Center.
Varmuza says that as many as 350 people, and their dogs, are expected to attend this year’s Spooky Pooch. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Washington Park in Glendale, Ohio. Depending on the weather, she says that they may also run just the lure course on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for attendees who realize just how much their dogs love lure coursing.
New to this year’s event is the Stuffed Animal dress-up contest. “Participants dress their favorite stuffed animal — dogs preferred — in their most creative costume and place them on display for judging anytime between 12 and 2:30 p.m.,” says Varmuza. “Of course, the sooner your stuffed dog is placed on display, the better the opportunity to win.”
You must register to participate in the Stuffed Animal dress-up contest, but there is no cost to participate.
There is no cost to attend Spooky Pooch either, although, there is a small fee to enter the Spookiest Pooch contest that gives you the chance to win more than $350 in prizes! You’ll also see several food and retail vendors, the chance to win raffle prices and other opportunities to get engaged and have a great time with your pet.
Prizes will be awarded to the dogs who place first, second and third in the Spookiest Pooch Exhibition. There is a $10 fee to enter your dog in the contest. When you register your pooch online, you have the opportunity to designate $5 as a direct donation to the registered local rescue organization of your choice.
“Participants to the contest will also receive a printed photo from professional photographer Amanda Evans, join in the Spooky Pooch Parade and receive a thank you bag with coupons and other goodies,” says Varmuza. “There is also a $4 fee to run the lure course with all proceeds benefiting the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Cheetah Encounter.”
Varmuza says that the goal of the event is to deepen the bond and understanding between dogs and their human companions through play, appreciation for skills and abilities, and sheer enjoyment for both pets and humans.
“Dog owners may have so much fun watching their dogs enjoy lure or agility coursing that they decide to enroll in a club, or seek out other opportunities to showcase their dogs’ talents,” she explains. “Other guests may simply be entertained by the dogs dressed in costume or those showcased in the Creative Grooming exhibition, and share an appreciation and respect for different breeds and grooming styles.”
To learn more, visit www.spookypooch.com.
Photo by: Amanda Evans Photography
