Dateline October 1, 2011, Hudson, Massachusetts:
Buddy Dog Humane Society celebrates its 50th anniversary with the 1st Annual Woofstock Festival
I was attending to help represent
Basenji Rescue and Transport, take some pictures for
North East All Retriever Rescue and assist the almost all-volunteer Buddy Dog crew with whatever they needed. (I was hoping
Save-a-Sato would be there so I could be pulled in even more directions at once. ;) The Buddy Dog crew didn't need me at all because, despite how they may have felt, it seemed to everyone attending, from vendors to guests, that everything went perfectly.
From an attendance perspective, I had a blast and the festival was a huge success. They haven't released an official count yet, but over the 5 hours of the event, I have to estimate at least 1,000 people and hundreds of dogs came through the gates. There were almost 100 vendors and everywhere you looked, people and dogs lined up to visit the booths.
There were photographers, trainers and massage therapists. There was every kind of pet supply product imaginable and various presentations in the center rings from agility to police K-9 and military search and rescue dog demonstrations. There were, of course, every variety of animal and breed rescue many with their adoptable dogs on display. A live band, raffles with an assortment of great prizes and lots of food and beverages (courtesy Papa Gino's and the Hudson Elks Club) rounded out an awesome offering. Next year, if the weather would just cooperate, this will be the perfect New England Fall festival.
The best part for us was there was plenty of space which made bringing the scared-y dog easy - Bella never had to be in too big a crowd because across the entire field there was always a place to get away from it all. Once her beau,
Gus, arrived with his Greyhound sister, Molly, Bella was able to relax a little and even tried to initiate play sessions with several dogs. She had a romping good time with one Australian Shepherd and confused the heck out of a rather young Golden Retriever pup who wasn't familiar with the puppy play bow.
Just out of curiosity, is Bella supposed to grow out of that? It's a little embarrassing explaining to people that no, she's not a puppy, she's 3 and a half, she just thinks she's a puppy still... Is just us or does your dog continue to "puppy play bow" even after puppyhood has passed?
