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Let your pups shine at Doggie Olympics
There are few things that dogs enjoy more than running, jumping and fetching. Dogs are natural-born athletes. They love to play, and they can play for a good cause at the 14th annual Doggie Olympics.
The Larimer Animal People Partnership, or LAPP, is all about providing trained therapy dogs where they are most needed - hospitals, nursing-care facilities and at-risk children's programs. The therapy dogs that are part of LAPP provide the no-strings-attached affection, acceptance and support for which dogs are known. But not just any dog can participate as a therapy dog. It takes a lot of time and training to accomplish the level of excellence for which trained therapy dogs are noted. It also takes money.
That's where your dog can help. By participating in the LAPP K-9 Olympics, your dog can also be a hero. Proceeds from these fun activities go directly to LAPP and its many great programs. Without this financial support, LAPP cannot function at the high level for which it is known.
Your dog can compete in activities, including the newspaper retrieve, marathon, Frisbee catch and 50-yard dash, all in a safe, controlled environment. What could be better?
All LAPP asks is that participating dogs be good around people and other dogs. That means they remain on-leash unless specified in the rules of the games, that the dogs be vaccinated and healthy and that you preregister for events that offer prizes.
Preregistration closes Sept. 30. Dogs registering the day of the event can still participate, just not for prizes. There are running competitions, catching competitions, fetching competitions and jumping competitions. Very little training is required. For hard-core competitors, there are obedience competitions. For the iron dog in your house, there is the pentathlon. And for the showoff dog, there is the best trick competition.
For our dogs, the Doggie Olympics is the canine equivalent to going to Disneyland. Even if you choose not to participate with your dog, the Doggie Olympics is a great family-friendly way to spend the day. Bring your dog and the kids and watch all the activities. There will be food, animal-themed vendors offering information and products, and lots and lots of fun stuff to watch. It’s a good place to socialize your vaccinated puppies and a great, inexpensive place to take the family for a Sunday outing.
The Doggie Olympics is Oct. 4 at City Park. Get there early, as the parade of entrants begins at 8:45 am. For more information, visit www.colapp.org.
Go have fun and let your dog be the hero for a day.
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