BY KALI CAUDLE
Many dog owners and their dogs, dressed in costumes, were seen walking as a pack as part of the third annual Howl-o-ween dog parade in Waterloo.
The event is the brainchild of Liz Foley, a dog trainer, founder and CEO of The Dog Haus, a Kitchener-based dog daycare.
The business opened four years ago. According to its website, it is the only daycare in the K-W area to offer a fully cage-free indoor and outdoor facility that allows dogs to interact in a pack-like environment. The Dog Haus’s main focus is to provide dogs with a safe environment where their needs are fulfilled in socialization, exercise and mental stimulation and where they can also receive basic training.
In addition to being known for its focus on dogs’ needs, the daycare also looks for ways to engage their clients through education and special events such as a dog parade.
This year’s parade had a bigger turnout than in previous years.
“It’s a great way to socialize the dogs and talk to other owners about issues that are going on,” said dog owner Maria Gagne. “I love it, it’s fun to just come out and hang out with people who are as crazy as us.”
Prizes were awarded for creative costumes in various categories including best group, scariest, best couple and cutest. The winners from each category received a bag full of treats from Howlistic Hounds Bakery.
Foley enjoyed the costumes from this season’s parade.
“They were hilarious. They were really good. I loved the sharks and obviously the Lion, Scarecrow, Dorothy and Tin Man were the big winners. My own dog, she was a hot dog, which was adorable,” she said.
Foley hopes next year’s event will have an even bigger turnout.
“You always want to go bigger. Getting more people to come out would be great,” she said.
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