'Paws in the Park'

U.S. Marine Sgt. Cody Tallent takes a break with his partner, 7- year-old patrol and narcotics Belgian Malinois Silver after a K-9 demonstration at Paws in the Park,at Prince William Forest Park on Saturday.

By By AMANDA STEWART For the Stafford County Sun
Published: April 28, 2009

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TRIANGLE — Just about every kind of dog you can think of was at Prince William Forest Park on Saturday. The park was packed with pooches and their owners for "Paws in the Park," billed as a celebration of "responsible dog ownership in the great outdoors."

During the event, representatives from dog day cares, rescue groups, canine fitness centers, dog magazines and other pet-centric businesses and organizations set up booths at the park. At one spot in the park, dogs showed off their tricks on a kind of pet playground. Under a pavilion, pet owners received tips on training and obedience. In one designated parking lot, dogs could roam leash-free for the day.

Woodbridge residents Stacie Hargis and Kailynn Hill planned to enter their three small dogs in the "faux dog show." Bailey was vying for best dressed, Sunni for cutest or most fluffy and Sadie for most talented.

Other categories included best wagger, best drooler and pet/owner look-a-like.

Some dogs were there to demonstrate their jobs, including those in the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association and the United States Marine Corps Security Battalion K-9 unit.

"The purpose of this event is basically to educate people on how to bring their dogs into a national park," said Laura Cohen, chief of interpretation at Prince William Forest Park. "This is also just a fun way to serve dog-owners.”

Woodbridge resident Gale James said that dogs have a way of bringing people together.

“…You could be walking in the park by yourself and no one would say hi,” she said. “But if you’re walking with a dog, people will talk to you.”

Amanda Stewart is a staff writer for the News & Messenger.