Dog Ownership Day and Blessing of Pets at Willow Grove Church on Oct. 28

There will be a Responsible Dog Ownership Day and Blessing of Pets on Sunday, October 28, 2012 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Willow Grove Church, 1961 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern New Jersey and the Willow Grove Church of Scotch Plains are sponsoring a local Responsible Dog Ownership (RDO) Day and Blessing of Pets. RDO day is an American Kennel Club (AKC) event to remind us that raising a happy and healthy pet is more than just playtime and pampering. It is about training, grooming, health care, adhering to local laws, ensuring that your pet does not infringe upon the rights of others and promoting their well-being and safety. This event is to celebrate and show our commitment to our four-legged friends. All attendees will be asked to sign a Responsible Pet Owner Promise. ALL ANIMALS ARE INVITED (EVEN CATS)!  A group of experts will be on hand from 2 pm to 4 pm to discuss your pet questions and problems regarding health, behavior, etc.

There will be a series of free educational presentations and discussions, including: dog obedience and canine nutrition from 2 to 2:30 pm, canine good citizenship and pet therapy from 2:30 to 3 pm, and Seeing Eye Dog information from 3 to 3:30 pm. There will be lots of free fun activities for young children, including a puppy petting area, puppy face painting on kids' faces, balloons, live music by Stephen Beisser, and cookies and juice for all. You are invited to dress your pet (not just dogs) in a costume and enter your pet in the costume parade, with prizes given for the best costume, starting promptly at 3:30 pm. There will also be games and prizes for your dog. 

Topics by special speakers include Nutrition, Keeping your pet clean, happy and healthy, NJ Seeing Eye Dogs, The Dog Diva (obedience), Canine Good Citizenship and Canine Therapy Groups. To schedule an individual Canine Good Citizenship and Canine Therapy Tests appointment in advance for a fee, call 908-757-0009. There will also be "Drawings By Neil" of caricatures of your pet and family members for a fee (charged per head), for which you may sign up in advance by calling 908-757-0009. Also available will be nail cutting for the dogs (Fee $7.00) Pet adoption information will also be available.

Blessing of Pets: The afternoon will culminate with a blessing of pets by Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney starting at 4 pm. All animals are welcome! You may also receive a blessing for your pet that is sick or deceased by bringing a picture of the pet. If it rains, many of the activities will be inside the church, including the Blessing of Pets.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS are 2:00–2:30 The Dog Diva (obedience) Canine Nutrition (Donna Colletti); 2:30–3:00 Canine Good Citizenship and Pet Therapy; 3:00–3:30 Seeing Eye Dog Presentation; 3:30–4:00 Costume Parade and Games; 4:00 Blessing of Pets; 4:45 Dancing with the Dogs (participation invited).

Contact Herb O'Brien, 908-757-0009 or hobrien1950@comcast.net with questions or to arrange a good citizenship or pet therapy test or for reservations for "Drawings by Neil".