Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Saturday Palouse held its annual St. Paddy's Day Dog Parade. I was delighted to be the the M.C. for the event. If there are dogs involved I'll be there! It was a small but festive affair and the gray skies did not seem to dampen the mood of those present.



Here are some photos before the parade. This is the Golden Retriever section of the parade with my dog Miles on the left. Miles was modestly dressed for the occasion with a green shamrock bow around his neck and a green bow tied to his tail. He's rather petite as you can see by comparing him to the green bewigged monster (just kidding!) to the left.



Members of the Whitman County Humane Society were at the event along with two dogs for adoption, a very nice, senior German Shorthaired Pointer mix, Elmer, and a Staffordshire/Sharpei mix, Ghost. Hopefully they will find good homes.



My favorite "dog," aside from Miles of course, was Penny the donkey. Penny is an amazing animal. I'm serious. When you are in her presence you feel calm, serene and happy. Holly, Palouse's librarian, rescued Penny. She had foundered and had a bad case of laminitis , an infection that can badly cripple an animal sometimes to the point where euthanasia is necessary. Look at Penny now! Doesn't she look gorgeous!



Penny is, in my opinion, a service animal because she is helping Miles to get over his fear of equines. Miles was accidentally stepped on by a horse several years ago while we were trail riding. He's been afraid of horses since then and I have been working with him on that issue of late. He is improving but still somewhat trepidatious around horses but he walked right up to Penny without one sign of fear. Penny rocks!

Paul Smith provided a soundtrack of great Celtic tunes. Paul performs with the group Potatohead. He also sometimes comes to the Open Mike nights at The Green Frog Cafe in Palouse the first Friday of every month. Paul is one of those amazing musicians that can play along with anyone at the drop of a hat and make them sound even better by doing so.







This little Chihuahua won the prize for the smallest dog.



Wishing you a happy St. Paddy's Day!