Esky goes to dogs – and cats

Courtesy photo
A young girl meets a kitten at first UP Pet Festival. Owners are encouraged to bring their pets, but must sign a waiver.

ESCANABA – A large group of fuzzy and fluffy individuals will converge at the U.P. State Fairgrounds this weekend.

On June 7 and 8, the second annual UP Pet Festival put on by D&D Dog Dynamics comes to the fairgrounds, specifically the Ruth Butler building and around that area.

“It is going to be two packed full days of everything pets,” said D&D Dog Dynamics Manager Kristin Bourdeau.

The pet fest runs on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event costs $5 for adults and $2 for youth, with admission free for those 12 and under.

Each day is filled with demonstrations, vendors, and, of course, pets.

Several shelters and pet training facilities will be on-site, including D&D Dog Dynamics, Upper Peninsula Dynamic Dogs, Bay De Noc Kennel Club, and S&K Kennels.

Guests will have the opportunity to see dogs participate in a variety of demonstrations, including nose work, obedience, hunting, agility, and more.

There is also an opportunity for guests to give their pups a chance at an agility challenge.

“People will be able to take their dogs on leash and try the agility course,” Bourdeau said.

D&D Dog Dynamics will also showcase their junior and senior handlers at the event, demonstrating obedience.

“So these are kids (junior handlers) that took our summer class. And our senior handlers, so we run a class for seniors 60 and above that’s specially designed for older people who get dogs.

So we have those also being demonstrated,” she explained.

Spirit Team Racing, a sled dog team from Munising, will make the trip to demonstrate the sport of sled dogs: how to start, how to train, and what to do when there is no snow.

In addition to the standard dog demonstrations, K-9s from various law enforcement agencies, including Escanaba Public Safety, Menominee Police Department, Alger County, and Forsyth Township, will participate in meet-and-greets and demonstrations.

Guests will have the opportunity to interact with the K-9s and observe as the handlers demonstrate how their dogs search vehicles.

Patrons will absolutely want to be near the K-9 demo area at 3 p.m. on both days, as there will be a K-9 car chase.

“A police car chases a car, and we’re going to use the backfield of the fairgrounds. They stop our decoy, the ‘bad guy’ gets out, and the police dog will chase them down,” Bourdeau said.

Guests will also have an opportunity each day to ‘meet the breed,’ as several breeds of dogs will be on-site with their owners.

“We run into here, a lot of times, people just love a certain dog breed, and then they go and they get it, and they don’t understand the dog breed itself. So this is a chance for people to and actually meet purebred dogs. Feel them, touch them, learn all about them from owners who own them, the ins, the outs, the good, the bad, everything,” Bourdeau explained.

Attendees can meet a variety of breeds, including Australian shepherds, Bernese Mountain dogs, Boston terriers, Labrador retrievers, Afghan hounds, French bulldogs, and more.

Attendees can also meet a few feline friends, such as the Bengal cat and the Ragdoll cat.

If you get hungry or thirsty, don’t fret; the Brisket Barn, Main Squeeze Lemonade and Yooper Shaved Iced will be on site.

It wouldn’t be a pet fest without more pets, as guests are encouraged to bring their fuzzy friends to the fairgrounds.

“Pets are welcome, so dogs can attend. If people (have) cats that like to go out, they’re welcome to come, but dogs need to have a valid rabies certificate,” Bourdeau said.

The rabies certificate is a state requirement.

Pet owners also must fill out a waiver if they choose to bring their furry friend, which is available at the gates or online at dandddogdynamics.com/up-pet-festival.

Bourdeau encourages the public to attend the event, as there is something for every pet owner.

“We just wanted to do this because we have we have phenomenal pet owners in this area, dogs, cats, you name it. There’s wonderful people who own pets,” she said.

“This is our second year; we expect it to be huge and better than it was last year. We’re just really excited about it.”

The event is sponsored by D&D Dog Dynamics, Sign UP Graphics, Martin Tents & more, Bay De Noc Kennel Club, Canine Crum Pets and Golden Acre Kennels.

For more information, visit dandddogdynamics.com/up-pet-festival or on Facebook at UpPetFestival.

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