Dogs to strut across the Walkway Saturday

The Walkway Over the Hudson will be the scene Saturday of the Hounds Over the Hudson bridge festival, sponsored by the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and its counterpart across the river, the Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public with no registration required.

DCSPCA staff and volunteers will be providing information on the care of dogs and giving demonstrations with therapy dogs.

Members of the Humane Law Department will be giving demonstrations on how to prevent stress to dogs in hot weather.

A canine parade of adoptable shelter dogs will begin at 11 a.m. with each shelter meeting in the center of the bridge.

Note: The parade will be canceled if the temperature or weather conditions are unsafe for dogs on the Walkway.

Here are directions to both entrances — Highland to the west and City of Poughkeepsie to the east — to the linear park.

High Falls pets have their day

HIGH FALLS — The annual High Falls Pet Show will be Saturday, May 15. There will be all pets of all kinds participating.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held in the Community Church of High Falls yard on Second Street off Route 213.

Here's a link to Google Maps.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. For pets who plan to compete in contests, there is a $4 fee. All proceeds will benefit the High Falls Civic Association.

General pet judging will takes place from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. All pets will be evaluated for good breeding, friendly behavior and photogenic qualities.

Special judging categories start at 11 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.

Prizes will be given in several categories, including pet-owner look-alike, vocal talent, best all-American mutt, most unusual pet and mature and distinguished pets.

Vendors will be on hand selling pet-related toys and food. Animal rescue and adoption information will be available.

There is no admission fee to attend the show.

Owners are urged to bring adequate food and water for the safety and comfort of their animal companions.

Beacon going to the dogs in April

Now that spring is officially here, it's time to start thinking about Beacon Barks.

This year the 4th-annual dog-inclusive festival that takes over Main Street in Beacon is scheduled for Saturday, April 24.

Click on the link above for more information.

Beacon Barks is a collaboration between the Dutchess County SPCA and The Beacon Barkery.

These pictures and video are from last year's event.




Photos and video by Michael Woyton/Poughkeepsie Journal.

The day after Boo-day

If you are in Ulster County Nov. 1 stop by Skate Time 209 for the Howl-O-Weiner Festival.

All dachshunds and their owners are invited to an event that features a costume parade and talent show.

There will also be the opportunity to meet show dachshunds just returned from the Dachshund Club of America National Performance Events and Specialty Show.

The event, which is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is free. Several animal charities will be on hand to accept donations.

The roller rink and skateboard park owners Len and Terry Bernardo will be hosting the festival with their pet dachshund Sundae.

Skate Time 209 is located at 5164 Route 209 at Mettacahonts Road in Accord.

For more information, call 845-626-7971 or visit www.Skatetime209.com.

Festival of dogs

Photo: Sarah Bradshaw/Poughkeepsie Journal

This Saturday over in the magical land of the Town of North East will be an event for dogs and their owners called the Festival of Dogs.

It is being sponsored by the Harlem Valley Chamber and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ledgewood Kennel.

Admission is free to watch all the events dock jumping, agility course demonstrations, flyball and disc throwing.

Fees are required to participate in the events, however, ranging from $5 for disc throwing to $20 for dock jumping competition. Non-competing dock jumping costs $10 for two jumps.

Dog show classes, for $5 each, include best costume and outstanding ability or feature. Participation forms for all events can be downloaded from this link.

All dogs must be leashed and should be well-behaved. A current rabies certificate is mandatory.

Ledgewood Kennel is located here. Use the map to create your own directions.

Wish I could be there

The world's largest dog biscuit is set to be unveiled Saturday in Libertyville, Ill.

At 400 pounds, the biscuit will be on display during "Woofstock" at Lambs Farm.

The invite reads "Dogs and the people who live with them" are welcome.

If anyone is there and can take a picture, please send it in.

Dogs to show off at 'Show Off' in Fishkill

FISHKILL — Head to Doug Phillips Park on Route 52 Sunday with your pooch for the Town of Fishkill's annual Dog Show Off.

Taking place from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be demonstrations, vendors and a low-cost rabies licensing clinic.

Donations of blankets, newspapers, towels and bleach will be given to the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hyde Park.

There will also be a raffle and bake sale to raise money to improve the park.

While you are there, you can pick up information and applications for the new fee to use Friendly Paws Dog Park. The fee takes effect June 1.

Here's my story about the new fee than ran today in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Are you ready for Beacon Barks 2009?

Hey, everyone with dogs out there in the mid-Hudson Valley. It's time again for Beacon Barks.

The parade and street festival is in its third year, sponsored by the Beacon Barkery, the Dutchess County SPCA and Signal Graphics Printing.

It will be held Saturday, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with opening statements just west of Muddy Cup on Main Street at the beginning and the parade kicking off shortly thereafter.

Kate and I are planning to go again.

Here is some video from last year.



Accuweather is predicting a temperature of 64 degrees under partly sunny skies for Saturday at 11 a.m.

So you really have no excuse then, do you?

A look back at Beacon Barks

Here is a montage of pictures I took at the first annual Beacon Barks last year.



Remember that this Saturday the second annual street festival for dogs and their humans begins with the parade at 11 a.m.

For more information, click here.

See you there.