Every dog has his day in 'Doggie Dash'

Every dog's gotta have his day, and here in Sisters that day is Saturday, August 15, at Village Green Park, south of downtown.

Bring your pooch to the fourth annual Doggie Dash/Stroll and Fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with on-site registration beginning at 8 a.m.

Everyone's invited to come, with or without a dog, to mingle with dogs and their humans, participate in the 5K run/walk or two-mile stroll, and enter your dog or simply watch the five fun contests scheduled for the canines: Best Trick; Best Look-a-Like; Best Hair; Best Howl; and a K-9 pie-eating contest.

There will be prizes for all events, including Doggie Dash Hydro Flasks, a hand-painted portrait of your dog, assorted dog-related equipment from Ruffwear, a bike tune-up from Blazin Saddles and many more.

The dash/stroll route goes south from the park onto Peterson Ridge trails and back to the park. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. and few minutes later the two-mile walkers will depart. The dash/stroll is open to all ages, with or without your dog. The canine contests will begin around 10:30 a.m., after the conclusion of the dash/stroll, with Scott Buckles doing the duties of emcee.

Don't worry about the heat, as the well-marked route winds through shaded trails and the Village Green is a shady oasis. There will be 10 wading pools placed around the park for dogs to drink and dip.

Kiki Dolson, top dog with the Furry Friends Foundation, is excited to be a part of this year's event again.

"After last year's successful talent contest, Furry Friends was invited to partner with Friends of the Sisters Library and expand the contest portion of the event. It should be a blast this year with even more contests, from best howl to the expected favorite, a canine pie-eating contest. Everyone keeps asking what's in the pies? Well, right now we're thinking an egg-and-turkey bacon combination, but would welcome a dog pie recipe. Regardless, we know the pies will all be home-baked and sure to be tasty."

Bend Agility and Action Dogs (BAAD) will again have a full morning of member dogs demonstrating tearing through tunnels and over jumps, scaling A-frames, and weaving through poles. There will be dogs of all sizes and abilities being cued by their owners as they maneuver the course together.

Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club will be setting up a ring for a rally obedience demonstration and offering an opportunity for people and their dogs to try their skills at doing a rally course. Mt. Bachelor members will be there to assist people and explain the different requirements of each station of the course, and to demonstrate how each station is performed. Just south of the gazebo in the park, starting at 8:30 a.m., owners will be shown the proper way to handle their dogs as they run/walk the dash course.

"We will be available to answer questions about the different fun performance events that are available at AKC shows to all dogs, mixed-breed All-American dogs through the Pet Partners program, and purebred dogs from rescue associations through the ILP program," said Lori Nickeson of Mt. Bachelor.

Jackie Koski will be on site with her lure-running course for dogs that like to chase things, the way Greyhounds chase a mechanical rabbit.

People-food from Angeline's will be available (donations welcome), starting at 8:30 a.m. Sisters Coffee Company will be providing their usual good brews. Sisters community radio station KZSO (94.9 FM) will be broadcasting live from the Dash. Doggie Dash T-shirts, with logo by Kathy Deggendorfer, will be available for purchase for $8.

Early registration for the dash/stroll is available through August 14 for $25/participant or $50 for up to three participants. Register online at http://www.sistersfol.com and click on the Sisters Doggie Dash tab. You can also pick up and drop off a registration form at Sisters Library, or register the morning of the event beginning at 8 a.m. Same-day registration will cost an additional $5. The first 100 who register will receive a Central Bark doggie goody bag of PetSmart toys and Sisters Feed & Supply treats.

Registration for all five contests will take place only on Saturday at the event, starting at 8 a.m. The cost for registering is $10 per contest and you and your dog have the chance to win great prizes!

Every participant in any part of the morning's activities must provide proof of current rabies vaccination (tag on collar) at check-in on Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. All dogs must be on a leash at all times (no longer than 6 feet for the dash/stroll) and under the control of their handlers. Dogs should be at least six months old.

The net proceeds from this year's Doggie Dash/Stroll and Carnival will go to the Friends of the Sisters Library and Furry Friends Foundation. FOSL proceeds help fund the library's collection of books, electronic books, DVDs, and audio books.

Regarding Furry Friends, Dolson said, "As the only family-pet-related nonprofit in Sisters, the need is great for assistance. We continue to grow our spay/neuter program and now offer immunization sponsorships, too. We maintain a full pantry at the pet-food bank and there is always a need for medical financial assistance. We raise funds with raffle quilt ticket sales, bottle and can collection, ornament sales, grants, and the very appreciated donations from individuals. The money we make from this event goes right back into the community."

For more information about the dash or to be a vendor, contact Leanne Smith at [email protected] or call 541-977-8285. For information on the Canine Contests, call Jodi Schneider at 707-337-5047.