Pugsly and Sophie the pugs came snuffling along the trail while their pretty pug pal, the perky Peaches, lingered casually in the rear at Game Farm Park, checking out the business end of a passing pooch.
There were hundreds of dogs and chances-a-plenty for Peaches and her tail-wagging mates to investigate each other during the City of Auburn’s inaugural Petpalooza event Saturday.
The fun kicked off with the Dog Trot 3K fun run/walk. And if that wasn’t enough for animal aficionados, they could stroll casually over to the animal-related entertainment stage where a skilled handler put the portly Snort and the sleek Nellie through their porky paces.
There was an agility area provided by Sit Means Sit, more than 65 vendor booths, the “Unleashed” pet contests directly after the noon pet parade, a petting zoo and pony rides, games and demonstrations.
Dawn Cook of Bonney Lake, proud owner of the aforementioned pug trio, read about Petpalooza on the Internet and decided that her loved ones just had to be in on the fun.
“We just decided to give our little four-legged children an outing,” Cook said.
“We thought we’d come out here because it sounded like a place we could bring the dog,” said Shoreline’s Jon Graeff, the dog being Dante, his 4-year-old, long-haired German Shepherd. “We’re always looking for places to bring him with us.”
Though Dante affected an air of canine cool, Graeff said he was really a contented canine.
“He’s enjoying himself,” Graeff said. “He’s mellow to the point where’s just enjoying himself, you know, sniffing the other dogs.”
Franklin Crane showed up with his brother Marcus’ two Boston Terriers, Daisy, 3, and Peanut 1 1/2. Peanut, a suspicious sort, eyed her surroundings and any passersby with a wary eye.
“Daisy’s really happy. Peanut, well, she is a little skittish,” Crane said. “We came out to meet all dogs and have a good time. I think the dogs are a little confused but very happy.”
Ann Nicewonger of Lakeland Hills brought her 3 1/2-year-old Australian Shepherd Holly.
“We came out here because we love to be with all the dogs and because there were some agility tests,” Nicewonger said. “She’s an excellent dog who loves to run and is a herder. She can maneuver and turn on a dime. If you give her the right directions, she’s off, man. There has been plenty for her to sniff.”
Kristy Pachciarz, Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation events coordinator, estimated the crowd at 7,000. And by any measure, that was a success.
“People up here love their dogs, and they saw a need for it, so we decided to provide for it with a pet festival,” Pachciarz said. “We wanted to make it not just for dogs but do the whole pet festival. And it’s worked out really well.”
