Doggie event, big hit despite sprinkles from sky

They lined up at the starting point, dogs on leashes, banner stretched across a damp path at Haven Humane Society for the 3rd Annual Dog-A-Thon Festival recently.

Even though everyone who showed up woke up to a cloudy moist sky that offered a soft, misty rain during the morning hours, they came.

The weather didn’t slow Hennigan Spinning Frisbee® K9s eager to leave their dry holding space and chase discs thrown by their owner Herb Hennigan during one of the demonstrations of the day.

“It was fabulous,” said Capt. Lee Anne Smith, Redding Animal Regulations and Haven’s Chief Operations Officer, who also participated in the event.

There was a lot of cheering from the audience when Hennigan’s dogs performed their aerial antics while chasing flying saucers, snagging them out of the air, and returning for more of the same.

More than 20 vendors erected their pop-ups and sold products and showcased their businesses, including hand-crafted goods as well as hand-painted and hand-drawn personality pet portraits, and other people and pet-related items.

“They didn’t mind the rain because it was warm,” said Capt. Smith. “And the wind wasn’t blowing.”

Patty Wells, who has a ranch in Whitmore, brought her sheep herding team of Border Collie K9 experts that wowed the crowd that watched her dogs work sheep in a large pen.

“We were really excited to have the sheep dogs perform and some of the other demonstrations by local animal enthusiasts. Some of that fun included a simple agility course and a nose game for novice dogs that hadn’t really had much experience,” said Capt. Smith.

Capt. Smith’s own Border Collie dog Chase got to show he had some sheep herding ability as Wells invited them into the pen to show what Chase had learned some time ago.

“He knew this was something familiar,” Capt. Smith said. “I was impressed he remembered so much and followed my direction. He actually knew more than me, but we had fun.”

Master of Ceremonies and Haven CEO, Dr. Ray John, led the 5k walk which consisted of three laps around Haven’s Bob Timone Trail. Many in the group continued to walk farther, giving their dogs and themselves a bit more exercise.

The CEO noted that in the middle of the event a group of Jr. Haven youth were about to protest, packing signs that read “Cats Count.” As it turned out, it was all in good fun, as the youngsters were helping launch the summer time “Cats Count Campaign” at the shelter where all cat adoption fees will be discounted from June through August.

“Jr. Haven youth wanted to help the cats during the dog event,” said Capt. Smith, adding that an all-out Cat Counts promotion has already begun with more to be heard about it in the community soon.

“Our shelter deals with mostly dogs and cats and we want to see both find homes,” she said. ”Right now there is an nice selection of both at the shelter and it’s kitten season so the cat room has some really nice kitties.”

Throughout the parade of dogs and people, Cat Counts signage popped up here and there as the chants encouraged visitors to consider adopting a feline friend from Haven’s animal shelter.

Lunch was served to those attending and there were more than 100 rabies vaccinations given to local dogs, Capt. Smith said, adding that many dog owners also took advantage of the microchip discount offered at the event.

“We didn’t really want the rain, but it didn’t dampen our spirits for the event at all,” she said. “Just wait until next year when the sun promises to shine. This event is destined to grow and grow into a popular activity for pet owners and everyone else, too.”

She also said Haven’s walk trail is open to the public to use during business hours, Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information about upcoming Haven events and fundraisers, call 241-5262 or go to Haven’s web site at www.havenhumane.net.