Published: May 12, 2009 07:41 am      

Downtown dog event set for May 16

Ready for another Downtown Crossville, Inc. dog event? Paw and Order will be held on the Cumberland County Courthouse lawn and in Memorial Park on Saturday, May 16. Activities are free to the public and the fun starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m.

Dogs and people of all types, sizes and ages will be celebrated with several different contests and activities. This event is sponsored by Spirit Broadband and Best Friends Veterinary Hospital. Additional sponsors include Fairfield Glade Community Center and Legends Restaurant, Medley Carpet, Law Office of Caroline Knight, DAT Pro Audio, CWD, Walmart and Don Hinch & Associates.

Enter your dog in one of the contests, including largest/smallest dog, best costume, and the Peanut Butter Lick-Off! Contests are scheduled throughout the day and a schedule is available at downtown merchants or at the Downtown Crossville, Inc. office. Entry fees for each contest are a bag of dog food or $5. Prizes will be awarded! Registration begins at the gazebo on the courthouse lawn at 10 a.m., with the opening of the event.

Come on down and “Strut your Mutt” in the parade down Main Street that starts at 1 p.m. Local rescue groups and shelters will have some of their dogs on parade, so if you are interested in adopting a dog, this is a great chance to make a connection. Bring your own dog and join in the fun! Grand marshal will be “Lincoln” Jahelka, a Brussels Griffon who has won many “Best in Show” titles and who won the toy group at this year’s Westminster Dog Show.

Educational sessions will also be scheduled throughout the day, including Basics of Dog Grooming with Darlene Hicks of Rudy -n- Bella’s, Tennessee’s only certified arson dog, Crossville Police Department’s drug-sniffing dogs, and Basic Obedience with Cindi Anderson of Orion Kennels in Monterey. Anderson will also have an agility course available all day for those wanting to see how much fun their dogs might have participating in this energetic sport.

Starting at 10 a.m. and convening every 15 minutes, there will be Dogs on the Docket, a meeting of dogs of particular breeds in a designated location on the courthouse lawn. This will give dog owners of a particular breed a chance to meet and mingle and those interested in a particular breed a chance to see the dogs and to talk to people who have experience in interacting with that breed.

Several local rescue organizations will be set up in Memorial Park and will have pets available for your consideration for adoption. AARF, Crossville Humane Society, Heaven Sent, and Wags and Whiskers will have adoptable pets, as well as North American Dachshund Rescue and Eski Rescue. Vendors will have their merchandise available on the courthouse lawn – you might find a new outfit, schedule a grooming appointment or buy homemade dog treats for your favorite pooch! Free dog-themed movies will be shown at the Palace Theatre all day; but please, no dogs are allowed in the theater.

Cumberland County Girl Scouts will be on hand to make sure water bowls are filled and plastic bags available. Please be prepared to pick up any deposits that your pet might leave on the lawn.

Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for each dog to participate, so please do not forget to bring your dog’s rabies vaccination certificate. All dogs must be kept on a fixed-length leash for the safety of the dogs and the humans.

Any questions regarding Paw & Order may be directed to Best Friends Veterinary Hospital (459-2006) or Downtown Crossville, Inc. (787-1324). This is a free event, but any donations, including financial, newspapers, or pet food coupons, will be distributed among participating animal rescue organizations.