'Star Wars’ goes to dogs at Mutt Mingle in Boardman

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Mutt Mingle

Gallery

Boardman Park and Animal Charity hosted Star Wars-themed “Mutt Mingle” fundraiser.

Dog Tricks

Video

Duesey, a therapy dog owned by Mary Zalac of Coitsville, can do a variety of tricks.

It was a “dog-gone” good time for some 25 dogs and their owners at the inaugural Star Paws Mutt Mingle Wednesday at Boardman Park.

The event, hosted by Boardman Park and Animal Charity, was particularly ‘paw-some’ for Julianne Dundee of Boardman, whose French bulldog, Porsha, won first prize for best “Star Wars”-themed costume, wearing a well-turned-out version of Yoda, one of “Star Wars” premier characters.

The ‘Fourth of May,’ celebrates “Star Wars” created by George Lucas, and is observed by “Star Wars” fans.

The Mutt Mingle took place in and around the Masters Outdoor Pavilion near the Marge Hartman Paws Town dog park, of which many of the participants are members.

Among the dog park members in attendance was Rhonda Lathom of Boardman with her Chihuahua/terrier mix, who enjoy the fenced-in, 3-plus-acre dog park several days a week “when the weather is good.”

Lathom said dogs can play and run with other dogs and do the things they can’t do at home unless the yard is fenced, she said.

The dog park membership fee is $45 annually for Boardman residents and $65-a-year for non-residents.

“It’s a great meeting place for dogs and owners,” Lathom said.

Jennifer Slaven of Struthers was there with Emmie, her terrier mix, to mingle and also do a little business.

Slaven was one of the vendors at the event, with her display of handmade Little Paws Apparel line of dog fashion.

Long-time friends and dog lovers, Mary Zalac of

Coitsville and Jackie Bragg of Mineral Ridge, were on hand to support Animal Charity and get the word out about different dogs.

Both women’s dogs, Bragg’s Shih Tzu, Teddie, who came from a shelter, and Zalac’s schnauzer mix, formally named Duesenberg, but whom she calls Duesey, are trained therapy dogs who regularly visit nursing homes.

“Duesey doesn’t know he’s a dog. He thinks he’s my son,” Zalac said.

Bragg is “fostering” a Beagle named Tori, whose owner is in a nursing home.

“So many animals need a home,” she said.

A member of Friends of Fido, Cindy Stockdale rescued a basset hound she calls her “hospice dog.”

“He is the happiest dog. He loves everybody. But he is in the final states of heartworm disease and the veterinarian says it’s not treatable, Stockdale said.

The Star Paws Mutt Mingle was a celebration of dog park membership and a chance for members to mingle with each other and to invite friends and encourage people to join the dog park, said Karen McCallum, Boardman Park recreation director.

Proceeds from a 50-50 raffle at the free, family-friendly event will benefit Animal Charity and Marge Hartman Paws Town, she said.