Are You Going to “Bark in the Park?”

By Suzanne Alicie

CANIDAE is thrilled to be participating in the San Jose, California “Bark in the Park” event once again, on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Come spend the day at this family oriented event for dog lovers and their pets. William Street Park in downtown San Jose is the destination for lots of fun with your furry friends. Bark in the Park is the largest dog festival in the United States; consider it the crown jewel in the world of dog expos!

Bark in the Park is a fundraising event to benefit the local Campus Community Association, San Jose Animal Care Center and the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. We’ve covered the Bark in the Park event here on the RPO blog before, but this year we’re giving you advance notice so you can make your plans to attend. If you love dogs, whether you have one or not the Bark in the Park event is one you won’t want to miss. You can follow Bark in the Park on Facebook and Twitter for more information and updates as we race toward the big day!

Want to see how working dogs perform? You can see search and rescue demonstrations and herding demonstrations at Bark in the Park. If you’d rather watch dogs show off their agility, flyball or dancing skills, you can also find those events. Did you know that agility training can improve your dog’s behavior? Our very own Linda Cole wrote an article about how beneficial agility training is to behavior in dogs.

Bark in the Park is a jam packed day of doggie centered events, demonstrations and of course several contests. We all know dogs are competitive, and I’m sure your pup is trying to convince you to join the Look Alike dog/owner contest! Go ahead, it will be fun and it’s for a wonderful cause. Your dog promises to be on his best behavior if you’ll just load him in the car and take him to Bark in the Park. It’s the ultimate step on the social ladder for San Jose pups. Really, look at that sad face – he’s begging you!

While Bark in the Park is filled with fun and games, there are also several helpful events going on. Micro-chipping, rabies vaccinations for just $0.99, grooming and training tips, and even the chance to learn about rescue organizations are just a few of the beneficial aspects of attending Bark in the Park with your dog. You can also get to know different breeds and “window shop” for the perfect dog for your family.

There are also activities for kids, live music and good food. The 2010 Bark in the Park drew approximately 3700 dogs and around 15,000 people, and this year could prove to be even more of a success! The funds raised by Bark in the Park are used throughout the year to help all sorts of pets, so bring your family out. Admission is free but there is a recommended $5 donation per dog which is quite minimal when you consider all the effort that goes into putting this event together, finding sponsors, arranging vendors and of course making sure that everyone has a wonderful time.

While you’re enjoying the full schedule of events and visiting the various booths at Bark in the Park, don’t forget to stop by the CANIDAE booth. You can pick up some samples and valuable coupons, and say Hello to our wonderful pet loving representatives who will be there to enjoy the day with you.

Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie