The rain was falling and the temperatures hovered in the lower 60s, but that didn't stop quite a crowd from coming out to Rotary Pavilion in Danvers for the big 2009 Dog Party extravaganza! I was actually really happily surprised at just how many folks...and dogs...showed up for the Dog Party, parade and all-around howling fun time to benefit the Strays in Need rescue group in Danvers. I kicked off the event as Master of Ceremonies, and my wife, Jessica, with our black lab, Bentley, made fast friends with so many other dog-lovers!
Strays in Need has been saving and finding good homes for dogs who are down on their luck for two decades, and is a vital part of this North Shore Community. Held in conjunction with Danvers Family Festival 2009, today was part of a couple of weeks of fun in town, leading up to the big fireworks display on July 3 - one of the best, biggest and brightest in the area.
The Danvers Animal Hospital continues to be a great friend and partner for Strays in Need, and was a big supporter of this event, which featured demonstrations by K-9 University from Malden, MA, and a runway for each dog to strut his or her stuff - master in tow - for 5 seconds of fame. Danvers veterinarian George Myers spoke, in addition to a representative from Service Dog Project, Inc.
The folks at Service Dog Project, Inc., want me to be sure to let you know: if you know of a veteran who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and is in need of a service animal (difficulty walking, balance issues, depression, or any other ailment that a trained service dog would be helpful for), they have one dog nearly ready to find a home, and others that are mere months away. Please, if you know someone who could benefit from this companion, contact Service Dog Project via their website at www.servicedogproject.org.
Enjoy the video - I'm pretty sure I managed to fit in every dog that I shot video of, so if you were there, hopefully you see your furry friend in here! This video also will air on Sky Scenes, which typically air Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 6:51 AM, 9:51, 10:51 and 11:51 AM. The on-air segment will post online in the Sky Scenes section of WeatherNewEngland.com. Woof! :)

Your entire family is adorable; Bentley deserves his own show. Terrific cause! Well done!
Posted by: Vicky MacDonald | June 21, 2009 at 07:39 PM