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Dog-gone event benefits pets

Oct 28, 2016 12:12PM ● By Mylinda Le Grande

Owners pose with their dog in the kissing booth. (Jerry Thompson/Resident)

By Mylinda LeGrande | [email protected]



South Jordan, Utah - Pets in the community had their chance to show off their costumes when their owners signed them up for the “Raise the Woof Canine Carnival” on Oct. 8. The event was held at Soda Row in Daybreak. 

“We are really excited to bring this event to the community,” said Wendy Pettit, Live Daybreak recreation director. “It is way to connect residents together, and what a better way to do this then with dogs. It gives the people a way to give back to their community.. This was the brainchild of one of our residents who approached us and said she wanted to have a dog-themed event and wanted it to benefit the Purple Paw Program. We worked with her and made it happen.”

The Purple Paw Project is a program run by Nuzzles and Co. They house the pets of women and children that come out of domestic abuse and violence situations. When abused women and children are able to leave their unhealthy situations, they can’t take their pets into transitional housing or shelters. The Purple Paw Project will house, feed, train and treat the pets of the abused. When the family gets into more a permanent housing situation, the project reunites the pets with their owners. 

“Last year we got $400 to 500 dollars for the project, and this year we are excited to see what we will get to benefit our program,” said Lindsey Ortega, the chief operating officer of the Purple Paw Program in Park City. “This is the second year that we’ve partnered with Nuzzles and Co. to put on the Raise the Woof Canine Festival. All proceeds from this event goes back into the Purple Paw Program.” 

The costume parade was one of many fun activities for the dogs to participate in while benefiting the cause. Prizes were awarded to the best pet costumes. Of the 75 dogs that attended the event, 45 of them were signed up for the contest. First place went to Oatmeal dressed up as Harry Potter. Second place for the contest went to a dog dressed as a sheep, and third place went to Rog, dressed as spaghetti and meatballs.  

“This costume is so him; he eats anything that is put in front of him,” said pet owner Katie Bitter about Rog. “We come every year and love it.”

There was also an Instagram contest for participants to post photos of a pet/owner look-alike. The winner was owner Emily Bogus and dog Buggle Gum Princess Leah. 

One activity for pets and their owners included a kissing booth. Goldie, a dog who was dressed like a bumble bee, participated in this activity. 

“We heard about this event on Facebook, and we wanted to do the dog show, but Goldie is 13 years old and not good on agility, so instead we got our pictures taken at the kissing booth, walked around and had treats,” said Goldie’s owner Ashley Ferris

Pets and owners also enjoyed the K9 Total Recall Agility Course. Dogs and owners could get a reading with pet psychic Jennafer Martin, buy gourmet treats, participate in a whip cream face-off or test their dog smarts. There were also pets onsite that were available for adoption.