By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Dogs and their owners filled Ford Field Park May 9 for the annual Mutt Strut & Pet Expo for a day of celebration and entertainment.
The Mutt Strut is a pledge-driven dog walk and community-wide animal celebration with fun for pets and their families.
Since 2006, the annual event has raised $645,000 which helped more than 22,500 rescue animals.
This year’s event was filled with competitions, entertainment, food trucks, education, and shopping for attendees.
Vendors sold a variety of products for dogs including, toys, clothing, collars and treats.
A best kisser contest was held at a kissing booth for dogs, as well as best howler and mummify your dog contests.
The Ultimate Air Dogs competition tested the jumping and swimming abilities of dogs in a pool filled with water.
Dogs and their owners also participated in the traditional walk with a 2.37 mile path along Garrison Street in downtown west Dearborn.
Shelbie Briggs made the trip from Berkley with her dog Doakes for their first Mutt Strut.
“I’ve heard about the event a few years ago and decided this would be the year I would attend,” she said. “There are so many activities for me and Doakes, we’re enjoying the day together.”
Mummify your dog participant Hope Hernandez of Dearborn talked about her excitement for the event.
“It keeps getting better every year,” she said. “It’s a cool way to interact and meet other dog lovers.”
Genett Kedroske and her dog Roo attended the event for the shopping.
“The vendors here always have a variety of products and information,” she said. “I always find something new for my dog and for myself.”
This year the focus was raising money for the new Animal Adoption & Education Center which will be built at the former train station in east Dearborn. The goal for the new shelter is $250,000.
The next event for the shelter will be a Raise the Woof community breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. June 10 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., to support the new shelter.
For more information contact Development Director Kelle Sisung at 313-303-1770.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)