Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Spring Fling at the Dog Park May 5

Story by Celeste von Mangan

On Saturday, May 5, all High Country pets are invited to participate in the Spring Fling at the Dog Park, the annual Watauga Humane Society pet show that has been held in the Boone Mall each September in past years. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the show starts at 11:30 a.m. Registration is free and no admission will be charged for the Dog Park that day. A fashion show featuring Watauga Humane Society dogs waiting for adoption will take place at 11:00 a.m.

“It’s a pet show for any kind of pet,” said Debra Grosswald, Humane Society volunteer, “dogs, cats, rats, snakes, any animal. Cats go first and dogs must stay on a leash at all times. All other animals must stay in appropriate carriers at all times. The show is being held outside at the Dog Park and participants should not bring animals who are easily spooked.”

The show, now in its tenth year, was started by past Humane Society president Dee Dundon.

“It is not a fundraiser,” said Grosswald. “It is just a fun thing for the community to do. Every animal is a winner and every animal will get a ribbon. For the basic pet show, the judges will be Mayor Loretta Clawson and Dee Dundon. Lynn Northup, shelter manager, and Pat Cade, longtime supporter and volunteer of the Humane Society, are also judges. There will be some specialty classes; some of those classes will be pet and owner look-alike contest, ugliest dog contest and an agility class. I’m going to tell an Indian legend on why dogs sniff each other’s tails.”

The fashion show frocks are provided by The Barking Rock, a pet boutique in Blowing Rock, and the models strutting their stuff on the catwalk are actually canines from the shelter hoping to be adopted.

Following the pet show, the Dog Park will remain open all day. For more info, call 828-264-7865.

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: The Dog Park, Don Hayes Road
Cost: Free

Dog Park A Success

Now in its second year, the Watauga Humane Society Dog Park is a huge success. From 6:00 a.m. until sundown, dogs and their people can enjoy romping on 3.5 acres of land with a half acre set aside for smaller dogs. Dog Park passes are on sale at the Watauga Humane Society or at the organization’s secondhand store, Bare Bones Boutique, located across the street from the park. A regular membership costs $35 annually plus $10 for each additional dog. Seniors and students can purchase a pass at the reduced cost of $25 per year plus $5 for each additional dog. For those who would like to use the park only on occasion, a $3 day pass is available. To purchase any pass, pet owners must show a valid rabies vaccination certificate for their dogs. The dog’s rabies tag number, date administered and expiration date of the vaccine will be recorded.

A work in progress, the Dog Park added trees last fall that were donated by local businesses. Additional amenities planned for the park include benches, tables, a covered shelter and a source of water. The lower area of the Dog Park will be open for birthday parties and other events.