A Day for the Dogs

Today was a beautiful day to take your dog for a walk in the park, and many Glen Ellyn residents did just that at Poochapalooza, hosted at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center Dog Park. Dog of all sizes, styles and colors came out for the event. The canines and their human companions shared one trait this afternoon: big smiles.

For the last two years, the Glen Ellyn Park District has hosted and planned Poochapalooza, an event started in 2008 to replace the former Doggie Dip that used to occur at the end of the swimming season. Poochapalooza featured speakers explaining basic first aid for dogs, obedience training sessions and booths from local and area doggie businesses.

I'm a dog lover," said Recreation Supervisor Brittany Malatt, who organized the day's events. "I love the opportunity for all these dogs and their owners to get together and to show off the park at an event just for them."

Each dog that came to the event got a chance at a variety of raffle prizes, provided by Poochapalooza sponsors. But each dog got to take home a gift bag just for showing up.

"It's great to get the dogs together for some socialization, show off the booths and get together with people who share a common interest," Malatt said.

Andy and Donna Swiston came with their dog, Patch, a scruffy Jack Russell Terrier mix.

"Patch loves people and other dogs," the Swiston's said of why they brought their dog. Patch's highlight of the day was the pumpkin bread treat he got at The Barking Lot store's booth.

The booths at Poochapalooza were staffed with a variety of local vendors from grooming stores to humane societies.

"We came out today to promote an event we're have called Barkapalooza," said Eva Smith, the former publicity director for the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove and now a volunteer. "It's our biggest fundraising event of the year for our no-kill shelter. We usually get between 300 and 400 dogs."

But the dogs weren't about to let the show get stolen by the local businesses. In an event that showed off the best dog tricks, a dog named Zeus gave high fives and a dog named Sweetie jumped through the outstretched arms of her owner which were held out like a hoop.

The event wasn't all tricks and treats. Lisa Van Bogget, owner of Consummate Canine Companions, gave a series of presentations about doggie health and first aid.

"The most important thing to talk about today is the first aid," Von Bogget said. "People need to know things like how to take their dog's temperature and what their resting heart rate should be."

In her first aid presentation she explained how to muzzle a dog so that you can clean a cut on their foot and the proper way to remove a tick. Later on in the event she led a dog obedience course, which allowed owners to ask specific questions about their dog's behavior. She added that events like this were a great way to socialize you dog.

"Obedience training is really important," Von Bogget said. "It comes down to safety. There are five basic commands that every dog should know: sit, down, stay, come, and a loose leash heel."

Poochapalooza turned a day at the park into a day for the dogs.