Where else could you find the “PawCasso,” the “Americanine Idol”, or the “Doggy Day Spa” but at Dogtoberfest?
The annual event raises thousands of dollars for St. Francis Service Dogs in Roanoke.The organization places dogs with partners at no cost. But the cost of getting a dog to that point takes more than two years and about $25,000. St. Francis doesn’t receive state funding or money from insurance. The cost of raising a dog comes from private donations, grants, and fundraisers.
Hundreds of people braved Saturday’s hot, humid weather and many brought their four-footed friends.
Jennifer and James Costello from Blacksburg enjoyed participating in flyball and agility with Lola the 11-month-old German Shepherd “She doesn’t look like a puppy but she is,” said Jennifer. “We came out to St. Francis just to support them and also to get Lola some socialization.”
“We have tried flyball before in Blacksburg and I had to go to Hawaii for two months. . .with two months absence we didn’t take her and I’m a little bit pregnant now so it’s harder for me to do the running back and forth now. But it’s definitely something we want to get her back in to because she seems to be pretty good at it.” They were also accompanied by Benji, a 10-year-old Maltese.
Some people dressed their canine friends. There was a Winnie the Pooh and Eyeore, a patriotic pup and a princess and her best friend, a pirate.
Seven-year-old Lil Bit owned by Maria and Lee Wilkerson from Roanoke was dressed as the princess. “She is a mix between a Beagle and a Jack Russell,” said Lee. Roscoe, a 20-month-old mixed breed was decked out as a pirate. “I was told he was supposed to be a German Shepherd and Husky but he (doesn’t) look like too much of either one. We just wanted to dress our dogs up and see if they’d like it. They’re all pretty friendly.” It was their first time at Dogtoberfest.
Maria participates in the annual Christmas Angel Tree at Tanglewood Mall where people take paper ornaments with the dogs’ names on them and buys presents. “I love dogs so much and I think that it’s really good for people to be able to be assisted by the dogs.”
This Saturday will also be a special day for St. Francis. Volunteers and staff will dedicate the Luke Woody Memorial Garden on the training center’s grounds. It will have a pond, walking trail, and memorials.
– Beverly Amsler