SEQUIM — Senior canines, senior humans and spectators are among the guests Judy Stirton and Elaine Diedrich are inviting to their party this Saturday.
Tails to Trails, an annual fundraiser for WAG, aka the Welfare for Animals Guild, will take over Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
A fundraising walk, demonstrations of dog dancing, a dog decathlon and something called rally-O are on the agenda.
The walk’s route traverses the park and features checkpoints with snacks, prizes and scenic views of the Sequim’s nascent off-leash dog park, Diedrich said.
The 1.7-acre park is under construction, but city Public Works Director James Bay declined to give a completion date.
Walks and other events
Saturday’s event, however, looks to be a gathering for dogs and people of all speeds.
The main walk will take 30 to 45 minutes, Diedrich estimated, and a shorter route around the park’s pond is an option for seniors and others who want to take it easy.
The $15 entry fee benefits WAG — www.WelfareforAnimalsGuild.org — which runs a foster care program for homeless dogs.
The dog decathlon will start at 11 a.m..
Participants should phone ahead to register at 360-683-2226 or 360-460-6258.
The 10-station competition is “obedience with a fun twist,” Diedrich said.
Dogs will be tested on their patience while sitting and staying, on their ability to come to their masters with paper bags over their heads, and other talents.
Participants should make sure their dogs are fairly calm around others in a semi-chaotic situation, said Diedrich.
At 12:15 p.m., rally-O will cap the festivities.
“It’s a relatively new dog sport,” said Diedrich.
“A lot of people have been getting into agility [competitions], but they wanted to do something that was a little looser, a little more fun,” so rally-O was invented.
The dogs follow a course and the humans give obedience commands, so “as long as your dog has some idea about ‘heel’ and ‘sit,’ we’ll show them how to work.
This is a novice course we’re setting up.”
Rally-O participants can sign up at the park by around noon, Diedrich said.
“And if you just want to watch, come on out,” added Stirton.
She’s a founder of WAG and tireless dog lover who just adopted two Labrador retriever-mix puppies, bringing her total number of household canines to 22.
“Every once in a while, one just tugs at your heartstrings,” said Stirton, who’s been fostering wayward dogs for 30 years.
The Clallam County Humane Society will bring some adoptable dogs to the park Saturday.
The Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club will give a demonstration, Linda Benson will be on hand to shoot photo portraits of pets, and singer-guitarist Ron Dalton will supply live music.
Burgers and, of course, hot dogs will be on sale.