TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Zephyr Park Dog Daze Is Big Doo-Dah About Pet Safety

ADVERTISEMENT

By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 21, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Aside from being a full-scale celebration of animals, the Dog Daze Doo-Dah - set to take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 4941 Fourth St. in Zephyrhills' Zephyr Park - is intended to promote the safety and welfare of one's four-legged friends.

"We love animals," said Marcus Price, who co-owns event sponsor Goin' Postal with his wife, M.J. "Taking care of an animal can be expensive, and we want to educate people about low-cost spaying, neutering and health care options for pets."

Dog Daze Doo-Dah, according to Marcus Price, represents Goin' Postal's most wide-scale pet celebration to date. Many of the activities at this free event will center around animal health and welfare, including a low-cost pet vaccination clinic 11:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m.; information, literature, and a presentation by the Polk County SPCA; an appearance by representatives of the organization Faithful Friends, who will be on hand to share information about "after care" for pets (cremation, burial and memorials); and a visit from Hillsborough River State Park ranger Carolyn Stokes, who will provide information about enjoying state parks with pets.

Other presenters will address the ways animals and their owners are contributing to the Pasco community. Pasco PAWS therapy dogs will be on-site, and members will be sharing information and actively recruiting new members. Greyhound Pets of America Senior Sanctuary of Florida will be in attendance, as will Old English Sheepdog Rescue. And representatives of FSI Detection K-9s (which provides training of detection K-9s in detecting drugs, bombs, termites, mold, etc.) will share information about their services.

Learn More About Your Animals

Dog Daze Doo-Dah also will offer an informational component, with presentations on pet selection (What is the right pet for your family?), canine CPR and basic first aid, common household issues (soiling indoors, eating plants, chewing furniture, etc.), humane behavior modification solutions, and making a fire safety exit plan that includes your pets.

In addition, a "help yourself to literature" table will feature information about animal-free circuses, spay and neuter facts, and more.

Pet-related services will be offered and promoted at Dog Daze Doo-Dah. Pet Photography by Jennifer Marks will be conducted in an air-conditioned, indoors facility. The photographer will charge a fee to be paid directly to the photographer. Animal communicator Sharon Roberts will offer readings, and pet supplies and wares will be available from Pets and Pisces.

Event Has Fun For Pets, Owners

All About Paws (which offers pet sitting, pet taxi, and boarding) and Go Green Pest Management (termite detection K-9s) also will be on-site to discuss their services.

Fun will be another component of the Dog Daze event. Blessings of The Animals will be given 11 a.m. to noon by the Rev. Martha Vaguener of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church. A "Snakes Alive!" demo will be given by local herpetology enthusiast Bob Stephens.

A storybook reading of a "Good Dog, Carl" will take place during the event, as will a noon pet costume contest and a trick contest. People of all ages can enjoy an animal-oriented Chalk Art area; and the event will culminate in a Spayed and Neutered Pet Parade through Zephyr Park, specifically on the sidewalk that winds throughout the public park. The parade will be wheelchair accessible, and "poop baggies" will be provided by Goin' Postal.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT