MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany officials hosted the third annual Paws at the Park event at the installation’s Crouch Field, April 23.
Master Sgt. Alejandra Medina, Paws at the Park event coordinator, Marine Corps Community Services, MCLB Albany, said the family and pet-fun event, which was free and open to the public, provided a venue where pet lovers could show off and have fun with their canine companions.
“It’s all about pets today,” Medina said. “I wanted to put an event together to bring the (local) community in and have a (venue where) pet lovers could hang out with their pets and receive tips on how to take better care of them from several vendors.”
Each year the event continues to grow, according to Medina.
“There were more than 80 guests and about 60 dogs that attended the event this year,” she added. “This was a true success and it is definitely growing and it shows that the word is getting out about the event.”
Throughout the day, pet owners and their four-legged, fury friends observed a military working dog demonstration before competing in the best dressed and best trick competitions for first and second place trophies.
For the best trick competition, Gina, a German shepherd, won first place by pretending to play dead after her owner, Gunnery Sgt. Casey Wojkowski, logistics chief, Logistics Support Division, MCLB Albany, simulated shooting her with his fingers. Wojkowski also worked with the Marine Corps Birthday Ball committee selling drinks and food in support of the upcoming Marine Corps’ birthday in November.
Dixie Anna, a 9-month-old blue tick hound, placed second in the best trick competition.
Kacee Guzman, Dixie Anna’s owner, said they attended the event because she wanted to have fun with her dog.
Dixie Anna completed three tricks during the competition including a high-five, hand shake and low crawl, which she learned in about 30 minutes, according to Guzman.
“This was (our) first competition together,” Guzman said. “This was Dixie Anna’s first time doing tricks, being around that many people and the first time being around a dog park.”
Guzman said that she really didn’t view it as a competition but rather just having fun with her pet.
Defending her title for the best dressed was, Chloe, a 7-year-old Pomeranian, who won first place wearing a pink T-shirt that read “Rainbows makes me smile.” Angel, a Miniature Schnauzer, placed second in the best dressed competition.
Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, handed out the awards and thanked the vendors and attendees for coming out to the event with their canine friends.
“I can't think of a better time to (have such an event) than to kick off the spring with Paws at the Park,” Carroll said. “Thank you all for coming out and participating with us today.”
In addition, the Albany Humane Society and Terrell Humane Society had several dogs available for adoption.
Martina Lane, manager, Albany Humane Society, Albany, Georgia, said the Albany Humane Society had its first successful dog adoption at the Paws at the Park event.
“This is our third year attending the event and Apollo, a two-year-old, Terrier, is the Albany Humane Society’s first dog to be adopted at the Paws at the Park,” Lane said. “We are thankful for being out here because we get to show the dogs to the public.”