|
 |
SWISSYS ON
PARADE!!!
Winners
Presidents' Roundtable Overall Outstanding Unit
Award |
|
|
Article by:
Kim Floyd, leader
Circle R Dog-Gone Crazy 4-H Club
| The day started out rather coolish for July in
Florida. We had gotten a much needed rainstorm the night before. I woke the
dogs at 6:30 to feed them - they knew something was up. Time to hook up the
trailer, load the carts, get a bath and head out for the staging area of the
annual Brandon, FL 4th of July Parade. |
|
| I was meeting with members and parents of the Circle R DogGone
Crazy 4-H Club of which I am the leader. There was a
flurry of activity as the dogs waited patiently to see what was really
happening. Trailer was being decorated, dog carts were being decorated, towing
vehicle was being decorated and |
 |
the dogs were getting their Red, White & Blue bandanas. We
had received donations to help with decoration expense as well as the entry
into the parade. These sponsors were recognized with posters on our
trailer.
In
preparation for the parade everyone was encouraged to purchase dog boots to
protect their paws from the hot pavement. What a hoot to hear the stories of
the first time the boots were put on the different dogs. They all became cats -
trying to shake the boots off and not wanting to put their |
feet on the ground. Lucy, the Lab mix, hid behind the couch
because everyone was laughing at her. Twinkie, the Parson Russell, became
airborn. Madagan, the Swissy, just gave up and decided to take a
nap.
I took note of the well timed
article posted to the Southbound group regarding symptoms of heat distress in
dogs so that we could make sure our dogs were well hydrated and not too hot. In
the trailer we carried water for people and water for the dogs. It was also a
place where parents, children or dogs could take a break from the walking.
Finally, it's time
for the parade to begin. Off we go to the music of 'Who Let The Dogs Out?' We
had |
previously stuffed 1,000 little bags with small
dog biscuits and a card with our club contact information. These were in the
cart that Madagan was pulling so that they were readily accessible for the kids
to pass out to anyone watching the parade that had school age children with
them.
Participants; Samantha Gray, with Australian Terrier, Moonie (the
Swissy Wannabe), pulling a miniature wagon Olivia, with Shetland Sheepdog,
Precious, pulling a cart Ryan, with Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Starbuck Emily, with
Shepherd mix, Byron Micaela, with Swissy pup, Cookie Meagan, with Parson
Russell, Terrier, Twinkie Amber with Blue Eyed lab mix, Lucy Marissa, with
Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Stella
I walked with
Madagan pulling a garden cart with our cards and info. The day remained
extremely overcast and it was decided that the dogs didn't need to wear the
boots but we would have them along in the event the pavement heated up. The
dogs, the kids and the parents had a lot of fun handing out our information and
answering questions about the dogs and about 4-H. Water was offered to the dogs
all along the way. Several parade goers had water guns and offered to cool us
off. The dogs enjoyed that as much as we did. The parade was about 1-1/2 miles
and mostly shaded. The 'judges stand' was almost at the end of the parade. We
were a real hit there. They loved the dogs and particularly Moonie pulling his
miniature wagon. As luck would have it there was a huge puddle in the pavement
from the rains the night before right in front of the judges. Moonie was the
first to lie down |
 |
|
in the edge of the
puddle. The next think I know Madagan has pushed her way into the puddle and
has also stretched out cooling off. The kids recited the 4-H pledge and they
sang a song about Little Green frogs the get eaten by a dog. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
