Dog day afternoon at the K9 2008 event

By VIVIENNE PAL (This was published in the Star Paper 28th Jan,2008)

IT MAY have been hot enough to fry eggs on the pavement, but a day out is always something a pet looks forward to.

The Malaysia K9 Day 2008 drew more than 5, 000 dogs and dog owners to the Central Park at Bandar Utama on Sunday despite the blazing sun and the muddy field from the previous day's rain.

Dogs of all breeds and sizes were seen trotting obediently with their owners, resting in the shade, cooling off in the lake, or gamely participating in the various contests.

It's mine!: Dogs running helterskelter during the Dog Ball Retrieve Contest.
According to Puppy.com.my manager K.K. Chong, the event was organised by the company for the fifth consecutive year.

“This is an opportunity for dogs, dog owners and dog lovers alike to spend a day out to have fun and mingle, as well as to promote responsible dog ownership in Malaysia,” said Chong.

The event was also held to herald the start of 2008 as well as to usher the Chinese New Year.

Various NGOs such as the SPCA and PAWS had also set up booths to raise funds for their animal preservation initiatives, creating a carnival-like atmosphere while a vet corner was set up to offer free medical check up for dogs.

There were many activities organised to give the dogs a fun time throughout the day, with the main attraction including the 5th annual Malaysia Dog Beauty Pageant, Dog Microchipping Campaign, and demonstration by the Police K9 Unit.

We can do this!: The Dog Triathlon was not a simple game for both the canine and owner.

Entries in the beauty pageant were judged on the shine of their coats, costumes, as well as intelligence and performances.

Other fun games included the Dog Musical Chairs, Dog Ball Retrieve Contest and Dog Rally Run.

As always, there were new activities to add more excitement to the event, namely 'Simon Says', 'Dog Hurdle Race' and 'Dog Triathlon'.

Despite the many activities going on, there were also many noticeable 'sideliners' who preferred to watch the rather than participate in them.

Lo Fung Soo was one of them, preferring to sit in the shade with two of his beautiful six-year-old St Bernards - Roger and Andes - to watch the goings-on around them.

His dogs certainly attracted much attention, and Lo was seen fielding a host of questions from the many admirers.

Thank god for the cap: It's a hot, hot day for this Miniature Schnauzer.
Meanwhile, those who participated in the events for the first time also had a blast.
“It's a fun event because everyone, especially dogs and dog owners get to mingle together,” said Lee Tze Mei, 13 who entered Pug Jai, her pet Pug into the beauty contest.

Decked in a cute blue costume and headgear, Pug Jai certainly seemed at home on stage.

Daphne Chua, who had attended the dog carnival for two years in a row, finally decided that she and her pretty pooch Cookie were finally ready to take part in the activities.

“It's good that Puppy.com.my organises such events for dog lovers as it is an opportunity to create an awareness on animal cruelty and responsibility. Such events should be organised more often.