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Paws Town celebrates during Canine Carnival
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Paws Town committee members celebrated the future of their Boardman Park pup playground during their Sept. 24 Canine Carnival. The members are Carole Dota and her dog Tulla (left), Amanda Davis, Linda Fabian and her dog Abbey, Rich Fabian, and Don Williams.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Lynn Kirkwood (right) offered kisses from her dog Snowy (left) during the Sept. 24 Canine Carnival.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Angela Macintosh (back) had an impromptu photo session with her dog Ares at the Posing with Pets station at the Sept. 24 Canine Carnival.
By SARAH FOOR
A year ago, during the first Canine Carnival at Boardman Park, the dog-friendly event helped raise money for the Paws Town dog park to be built at Boardman’s Green Oasis.
During the second annual event, held this year on Sept. 24, the Friends of Paws Town organization and local residents and their pets gathered to continue to support the organization and celebrate dog park becoming a reality. Carole Dota, a Paws Town committee member, manned the organization’s display looking over the three acres on Southern Boulevard that will become the Paws Town.
“It’s a very exciting day for us, because many people in the community get to see where our park is going to be built and continue to be part of the process as construction starts,” said Dota.
The park is slotted for completion in spring 2012, and will feature an off-leash play environment with water features, pet-friendly landscaping, and plenty of places to relax.
While the completed park is still months away, the Sept. 24 Canine Carnival was a pet-friendly event featuring a dog costume contest, puppy chow eating contest, training exhibitions, raffles, and basket auctions. Businesses offering dog treats, care and cleaning products, and accessories sold their wares. Paws Town lined up a row of water bowls that they refilled regularly for thirsty pups.
Dog owner Lynn Kirkwood enjoyed the event with her dog, Snowy, who was the star of the dog kissing booth because of his loving nature.
“The carnival is really a wonderful event and everyone is having a great time. I even haven’t heard a yip from any of the dogs – they’re getting along as well,” Kirkwood said with a laugh.