Open house offers free pet portraits
9/6/2012"Back to school" isn't just for children.
The Lucas County dog warden is to be host Saturday for "Back to Drool," for dogs and their owners.
The event, at 410 S. Erie St. in Toledo, will include free "back-to- school" portraits of dogs that are brought in to visit the pound between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
"We want to be somewhere people can come and have fun and see this is not a scary place to visit," said Dog Warden Julie Lyle. "We are a resource for more than just when you lose your dog."
Leading up to the event, all dogs adopted this week will receive a free four-week training class at the dog warden's offices.
Dogs adopted on Saturday will also receive a pack of "back-to-school" supplies.
If dog owners who take their current pet for the portrait happen to fall in love with another dog looking for a home courtesy of the dog warden, that's a bonus to the event, Ms. Lyle said.
"As always, we have many lovely dogs looking for homes," she said.
The up-for-adoption dog list includes about 35 canines, and more will be evaluated and put up for adoption between now and Saturday.
The pound was able to adopt out 29 dogs to new homes via the recent Mega-Adoption event sponsored by the Toledo Area Humane Society.
As a result of the participating groups also doing a number of adoptions, several dogs have been transferred over the last week to partners, Ms. Lyle said.
For the first six months of the year, the pound adopted out 315 dogs, compared with 236 for the same period in 2011 -- a 33 percent increase.
More information about "Back to Drool" is available at 419-213-2800.
Several other local animal groups have scheduled fund-raisers and adoption events.
The Wood County Humane Society has scheduled its annual Mutt Strut from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 22 at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg. Besides the fund-raising walk, activities include a beauty PAWgent, photo booth, paw paintings, pet sketches, free training advice, and a Wood County Humane Society alumni parade. For more information on the Mutt Strut, contact Jill Borkowski at wchsevents@gmail.com or 419-367-6828.
On Sept. 23, the Golden Retriever Rescue Resource is to hold its First Annual "Almosta" Iron Dog Competition, which is part of the "Second Annual Andy's Army Canine Cancer Walk and Run" at Side Cut Metro Park, 1025 W. River Rd., Maumee.
The Iron Dog event is just for fun and not as stringent as actual Iron Dog competitions. This event includes three parts. First, owners and dogs must run 50 yards. Next, owners must place all four of their dog's paws in four consecutive baby wading pools. Finally, the owner and dog must cover an additional 50 yards with the dog riding in or on a non-motorized wheeled vehicle such as a skateboard, baby buggy, shopping cart, or wagon.
The cost to enter the Iron Dog contest is $10, and the registration deadline is Sunday. The registration fee for the walk and run is $15 a person and $30 for families. Go to gr-rescue.org or call Sue Bechtel at 419-875-5272 for more information.
Contact Tanya Irwin at: tirwin@theblade.com or 419-724-6066.