All over the Charles County Fairgrounds this past weekend there was a lot of bonding going on. Dogs and their caregivers flocked to the fairgrounds for the Second Annual Maryland DogFest. There were activities of all sorts to engage the two-legged and four-legged attendees in addition to just walking around, sniffing out total strangers and providing ice breakers for the humans at the other end of the leash.
The Charles County Fairgrounds was a new venue for DogFest, having held its first event last summer at the Regency Blue Crabs Stadium. The new venue provided more opportunities for vendors, in two air conditioned buildings and around the grounds. And it provided more space for the various rescue groups that showed attendees looking for a new companion the many opportunities for adopting.
As it was last year, one of the hits of the DogFest was the Ultimate Air Dogs, which gave novices and experts alike the chance to fly through the air into a pool to retrieve thrown objects. There were many opportunities for even the less talented to receive prizes, Spectators had adjacent bleachers to easily view the pool party and watch dogs of all sizes and shapes take a crack at the jump.
There also was an agility course set up with typical obstacles encountered in the sport of agility. It was a good opportunity for owners to see if their dogs had skills other than lying at their feet watching TV.
Other events included the K-9 Good Citizenship Test and demonstrations by Calvert K-9 Search and Rescue Team, the Jersey Disc Devil’s High Flying K-9 Act and Applejack K-9 Academy’s Personal Protection Demo. Contests were held throughout the two days, such as prettiest, ugliest and look-alike. There also was a Dog’s Got Talent contest.
Each day there was a training seminar put on by Paws and Possibilities to encourage responsible ownership.
There were many vendor opportunities available to purchase products to pamper that pooch. This reporter found a print that looked a lot like my Missy. But pampering and spoiling are two different things and judging by everyone’s good behavior (not a growl was to be heard), everyone on either end of the leash had a good and well-behaved time.
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