Humane Society Holds Pet Show, Dog Jog In October By Mike Shands High Country pet lovers have two fun ways to help the Watauga Humane Society in October. The humane society will hold its eighth annual pet show at the Boone Mall Saturday, Oct. 2 and its 2004 Dog Jog Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Watauga County Recreation Complex and on Boone’s Greenway Trail. Pet Show The pet show is open to any pet that owners can bring in and control safely. “It’s just a celebration of pets,” said Judy Clarke, the humane society’s new president. “We’re hoping everyone can bring their pets and have a fun time. Little kids especially love this.” There will be a wide variety of prize categories, and Clarke said every participant will receive a ribbon. Boone Mall, MTN and the humane society are sponsoring the pet show, which will feature Tim Baxter as emcee. Judges will include Chilton Rogers, John and Bettie Bond and Phil Minor. Sheila Barnhill is serving as one of the show’s organizers. Registration for the pet show will be Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at the mall with the show scheduled to begin about 11:30 a.m. Cats will go first. There is no fee to enter the pet show, but the humane society welcomes and encourages donations. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier and under control at all times, and parents should accompany their young children. For more information about the pet show contact Clarke at (828) 264-6875 or e-mail her at judy@goboone.net. Dog Jog Heavy rains and the possibility of flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan forced the humane society to postpone its 2004 Dog Jog and 5K Run from Sept. 18 to Saturday, Oct. 23. Kathie Billing, a humane society board member and a Dog Jog organizer, said those in charge moved the event to Oct. 23 because they were afraid participants would literally have to “dog paddle” along the course instead of walking or jogging because it was raining cats and dogs. “We regret that we are having to change this date, but feel very positive about our future date knowing that we will be given the opportunity to offer a bigger and better Dog Jog for our families and friends both canine and human,” she said. Participants enjoy a trek along the Greenway Trail during last year’s Dog Jog. The event will include a 5K race at 9 a.m. with no dogs allowed and a 3K jog/walk at 11 a.m. with or without dogs. Registration for the races will be at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Complex from 8 to 8:45 for the 5K and from 10 to 10:45 for the 3K. Both races will start and end at the complex. One water station will be provided for the 5K race. Prizes for the 5K race will go to overall female and male winners plus the first- and second-place female and male winners in the following age groups: 12-and-under, 13 to 15, 16 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70-and-over. Participants in the 3K jog/walk are welcome to bring their dogs if they are at least 6 months in age and in adequate physical condition. Dogs should be wearing current identification and rabies vaccination tags and should be kept on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times. Owners should also clean up after their dogs. Water will be available for humans and dogs. Those who don’t own pets are welcome to walk some of the humane society’s dogs. Anyone wishing to do so should contact the humane society’s shelter at (828) 264-7865 as soon as possible to reserve a dog. The dog jog will also feature activities, door prizes, a pet costume contest and snacks for all ages. Activity tables will include paw painting, face painting and educational materials. The registration fee is $20 for one person and one dog. Each additional dog walked by the same person will be $5. Children 12-and-under can register for $10 each. Registration forms are available at the humane society’s shelter, Bare Essentials, Sage Sports, local veterinarians’ offices, the Wellness Center, Black Bear Bookstore, Barking Rock Pet Store in Blowing Rock, Bare Bones Boutique Thrift Store and Timeless Treasures Antique Shop. Registered participants will receive free long-sleeve T-shirts. Early registration and packet pickup will be Friday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sage Sports in the Boone Mall. All proceeds from the event will benefit the humane society, which is a non-profit organization. This year’s Dog Jog is in memory of Alf, the local police K-9 dog who died from cancer earlier this year. Alf also participated in previous Dog Jogs. For more information about the Dog Jog and pledge forms contact Billing at (828) 262-0098, Bencita Moore at (828) 297-2774 or the humane society’s shelter at (828) 264-7865.