After one year away, Dog d'Alene returns - this time in the spring

COEUR d’ALENE — The dog days of summer will be a lot earlier this year, with the return of Dog d’Alene on May 15.

Billed as the second annual event, the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association’s first Dog d’Alene was held in August of 2008, but skipped in 2009.

“It was too hot in August,” said Gay Glasson, events coordinator for the Downtown Association.

The first was held on Sherman Avenue in the evening, but this year it will be held on the grass north of Parkside at Sixth and Sherman from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year again there will be a pet parade, demonstrations, vendors, pet adoptions, rescue groups and contests. Judges will be looking for the dog with the Best Smile, the Best Tail Wag (large dog and small dog), one having

the Best Costume, the Tallest Dog, the Shortest Dog and maybe even a contest for the Cutest Ugly Dog.

Entrance into all contests and the pet parade will be free. Profits will benefit the Kootenai Humane Society, said Mary Peak, who is heading up the event.

“We want everybody to bring their family and have a good time,” she said.

In addition to demonstrations from the Idaho Disaster Dogs, the Canine Corps from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, agility dogs and Clark Roberts with his guide dog Arby, this year’s event will also offer the Dog d’Alene Doxie Dash for all dachshunds with a need for speed.

Pre-registration of $5 for the Dash is now open. Registration on race day is $10. The races will be organized with help from the Little Long Dogs Dachshund Rescue.

Photos with pets will be available in several sizes, and agility and search and rescue dogs will demonstrate their talents.

Dog owners are asked to keep their pets leashed and under control, and to clean up after them, since the first Dog d’Alene drew about 400 dogs.

“It is one of the most fun events,” Peak said.

Information: (208) 415-0116, info@cdadowntown.com or www.cdadowntown.com