48 - Bark in the Park 2009

A walking tour of downtown will provide people with a fascinating look at the past.  Large pictures of Cookeville as it appeared in earlier days adorn several buildings.  It’s amazing how much change and how many improvements have taken place.  Cookeville and Putnam County have grown and,  as the area continues to attract more people with more pets, a renovation of the Animal Shelter is desperately needed. With help from the community, the Friends of Cookeville/Putnam County Animals organization is on a mission to raise funds to build a new P.E.T. Care Campus  which will address this need as well as providing even more opportunities for the animal lovers here and from across the state.  (More will be announced on this in the future.) 

If you are new to the area and an animal lover, you may be wondering about local events which benefit animals.  Bark in the Park and Walk for the Animals are fundraisers conducted by the Friends of the Cookeville/Putnam County Animals (disclosure: I serve on the Board of Directors).  This 501(c)3 group has raised money for the Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter, the Humane Society Spay/Neuter Program, and has donated to several other local organizations which help homeless animals locally.  The Friends group also presents a Fur Ball in January of each year, the Pets of Putnam Art Show in the Spring, and, for the first time, will bring Donna Salyers’ (faux furrier to stars and royalty)Fabulous Faux Fur Show to Cookeville at the end of October.  Other projects are in the works – this group is never idle!

Are you ready to help us raise funds for the P.E.T. Care Campus while having fun with your best furfriend?    Walk for the Animals and Bark in the Park are scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Algood City Park.  The Walk starts at 10:00 and offers a new route with two different end of walk options, the longest walk being 1.5 miles.  Grand Marshall will be Philip Gibbons, Country Radio 97.4 radio personality.  To register for the Walk, simply go to the website http://www.friendsofcpcanimals.org/WalkForAnimals2009-pdf.pdf and download a brochure. You can also get one from a Friends representative at Petco on Saturdays between 12 and 4.

After the Walk, Bark in the Park begins at 11:00.  If you participate in the Walk, your admission is included in your registration.  If you can’t make the Walk, admission to Bark is only $2.00 with children 12 and under free.  Many popular activities return:  free contests including the Puppy Dash, Best Homemade Costume, Best Purchased Costume, Owner-Pet Look-A-Like, and – new for this year – Jump, Fido, Jump and the Pet Swimsuit Contest.  You’ll also find the popular mini-agility course to try with your dog, Cookie and Putter’s Paw Shop, and the Lure Course.  Returning for its second year will be the Puppy Bowl, featuring puppies available for adoption from the Animal Shelter.  Other adoptable shelter dogs will also be showcased.  (If you don’t have a furry best friend or want another, here’s your chance to add to your family!). Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the event and vendors will be showcasing their products.  Because getting stuck in a rut is boring, Bark is offering two new features:  Splash Paws Water Park in Barkaritaville, providing a pool playground for your pet, and the Dog Bone Yard Sale, with an assortment of treasures for two-legged attendees . 

Everything possible is done to keep this event safe and fun.  Here are some tips to help keep it incident free:

• It helps when people remember to bring dogs that are both dog- and people-friendly.  If your dog has “issues,” it is perfectly acceptable for you to come alone and pick up goodies to take home. 
• Puppies who have not yet received their full set of puppy shots are at risk of exposure to diseases that exist anywhere dogs gather and they should wait until next year to participate. 
• This is such a great event for children, a place for them to see the joys of interacting with dogs.  It’s also a great place for them to practice asking permission from an owner before approaching a strange dog. 
• Watch your dog for any signs of stress such as panting when it’s not hot, attempting to escape, growling, ears flattened against the head, whining, tail tucked between the legs,  hiding behind your legs, or any behavior you recognize as indicating the dog is uncomfortable.  Take him to a less crowded spot if you see any of these signs.
• Be sure you bring your dog on leash.
• There is so much to see and do, but be sure you are paying attention to your dog.

Organized events for both pets and people are rare here.  This is your chance to enjoy an outing with Duke while benefitting the homeless animals in the area.  Come and play.  Your pup will thank you. So will countless animals that will benefit from improved facilities in the Upper Cumberland.