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Home > Archive > Apr 24, 2008

Local Pups Hit the Trail
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
Community members are encouraged to leash their Labradors, bridle their beagles, collar their collies, and hitch up their hounds for the annual “Tails on Trails” dog walk, sponsored by local animal rescue group Providing Animals with Support. The event will take place May 3 at the Tonaquint Park in St. George.
“You get to 'strut your mutt' down the Tonaquint Trail and show off what a special dog you have,” P.A.W.S. volunteer Sara Post Lee said.
An annual event in its fourth year, Tails on Trails is an opportunity for proud owners to take their pups out for a special day of exercise and fun and help animals in need at the same time.
Proceeds from the event will benefit P.A.W.S., a nonprofit group striving to reduce the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Southern Utah. The organization works to find good homes for its  animals (both dogs and cats), and in addition to placing the animals in foster and adoptive homes locally, P.A.W.S. volunteers make regular adoption trips to California and Nevada to find homes for the rescued animals.
As P.A.W.S. operates solely through volunteers and donated funds, proceeds from events like Tails on Trails help the organization continue its animal-rescue efforts. But though the event is a benefit, P.A.W.S. president Carol Peckham said it's primarily an enjoyable day for dog lovers and their pets.
“It's a fun day out for dogs and their people,” she said. “There are lots and lots of dogs. Last year, we had close to 100 dogs, and we're hoping for 150 this year.”
All participating pooches and their humans at “Tails on Trails” will receive a ticket for a prize drawing at the event, complimentary goodies for attending and a T-shirt (“While they last!” Peckham said). There will be a professional photographer on hand to snap photos of the dogs and their owners free of charge, and there will be contests for the dogs to participate in, like “Parent-Pup Potato Race,” “Bobbin' for Ducks” and “Pawsical Hoops.” There will also be fly-ball, doggy agility and Police K-9 demonstrations, and representatives from the Las Vegas Comedy Pet Theatre will be there, as well. Information booths at the event will additionally give the lowdown on pet products and animal wellness.
Owners are encouraged to costume their canines, though dressing up the dogs isn't mandatory. Prizes will be awarded for some of the costumed pets, and awards will also be given in such categories as “look-a-like dog and owner,” best pet trick, and fastest tail in the West, to name a few.
There's going to be plenty of fun for all at Tails on Trails, Peckham said; and for community members who don't have dogs of their own, she says, no pup, no problem!
“Borrow somebody's dog or just come without,” she said. “There will be food and music and lots of laughs!”
There will be lots to snack on at Tails on Trails, and for a donation, attendees can buy hot dogs – “one for you and one for your puppy!” – and chips, soda, and some pet goods and services will also be available for a donation, according to information from P.A.W.S.
Music will be provided by KONY Country's Carl Lamar, and there will be pet massage, vaccination and micro-chipping services for pets, as well.
“It's going to be a lot of fun,” Peckham said. “Come to support P.A.W.S., to support the work that we do to get these animals out of the shelters and into loving homes.”
Tails on Trails will take place May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tonaquint Park, 1851 S. Dixie Drive, in St. George. Pre-registration costs are $20 per walker and dog, plus $10 for each additional dog. Registration the day of the event will be $25. Registration forms are available on the P.A.W.S. Web site, www.dixiepaws.org. For questions or further information about Tails on Trails or the P.A.W.S. organization, contact P.A.W.S. at 688-9748.

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