Dog's Life
Friends on Parade!
By Paula Felps
Parades have become an extremely popular way for dogs and their two-legged companions to get out, socialize, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. Long before Justin Rudd began organizing parades for his English bulldog, Rosie, the dynamic duo loved strutting their stuff around town.
“This all started eight or nine years ago when some friends and I would get together with our dogs at a local park,” says Rudd, who lives in Long Beach, California. “We’d all get together at a regular park and socialize for a ‘Yappy Hour.’ And then, when we were done, we’d take the dogs for a walk for about five or six blocks.”
As other dog-lovers took notice, the group grew—and soon they had as many as 50 people showing up with their dogs. The “walk” at the end of the weekly gathering turned into a parade—complete with crowds that would stop to watch the procession.
“I saw how much people loved it, and decided to start a canine Easter Parade,” Rudd says. “It was a natural progression.”
So Rudd launched Haute Dogs, a non-profit organization with a busy slate of events to raise money for dog-related charities. The Haute Dog Easter Parade has been joined by the Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade; both have evolved into massive, well-attended and well-received festivities that require an army of volunteers and raise thousands of dollars. The most recent Halloween-themed parade drew more than 700 dogs and more than 4,500 spectators.
“Parades have been around forever, and people love to come out and see what’s new,” Rudd says. “To be able to have your dog share in those festivities with you makes it even better! Rosie loves it because it’s like a huge party that I’m throwing just for her!”
Across the country, other notable parades are offering opportunities for you and your dog. The Internet is a valuable tool for finding local dog-friendly parades and other events you can both join; it’s a good idea to find out about any guidelines so you can plan ahead, such as showing vaccination records or bringing the right leash along.
In St. Louis, Missouri, the Barkus Pet Parade is an annual Mardi Gras celebration that gets the whole family involved. Most of the parade’s estimated 8,000 participants are dogs who are attending with their owners, although a few exotic additions—such as llamas, ducks, and even camels—manage to find their way into the festivities as well. The parade strolls through the streets of Soulard, a historic neighborhood in St. Louis, and gives the city a taste of New Orleans-style fun.
Santa Barbara, California, is home to the Big Dog Parade, a summertime event that sees more than 1,000 people and their furry best friends dressing up for a stroll down the street. And in New York City, some 300 dogs (and their companions) turn out each Halloween for the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade.
So whether it’s a parade of two—you and your best friend strolling the block—or a bigger party, fun is sure to follow.
“Dogs love it!” Rudd says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an all-day event or just a few minutes; it’s a chance to get out and just enjoy being together.”
