People’s pets compete in Ultimate Air Dog challenges May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Pooches and the people who love them filled Bishop Park May 29 to 31 for the annual Bark on Biddle, which featured contests, entertainment and doggone fun.
Ultimate Air Dogs provided an opportunity for dogs to show off their retrieval skills after leaping into a swimming pool, while Lucky Dogs Lure Coursing provided a chance for eager canines to chase pseudo prey inside an enclosed course.
Animal rescue groups were on hand to offer adoptable animals, while musical entertainment alternated with competitions, including a canine costume contest, in the main stage area.
A canine costume contest showcases owner creativity May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
Tanya Hampton with Pawsitive Change Animal Rescue, a foster-based group out of Lincoln Park, had puppies and adult dogs ready for adoption.
She said not all of the animals have been treated the greatest, so adopters need to invest time, patience and love.
Karissa Mazzara of the foster-based Last Day Dog Rescue, which serves southeast Michigan, said they try to take animals from shelters who are at risk of euthanasia and put them in foster homes so they will be ready to be adopted when an opportunity arises.
She said it is easier to part with animals after fostering them than she thought it would be since she knows they are going to a better forever home than she could provide for them, and while the initial separation anxiety can be challenging, she enjoys getting updates from their new families.
Nearby, Rebecca Gordon of Lucky Dogs Lure Coursing, where canines chase a mechanical lure within a fenced-in area, said people were having a great time, with many returning year after year.
“Their dogs look forward to it, and they look for us almost immediately when they get to the park,” she said. “It’s a natural instinct to chase, but if they don’t have that natural instinct then we have a few tricks to try to get them started.”
Gordon said she loves to see everyone having a good time and their dogs having fun.
She said they make and sell lure coursing equipment for anyone interested in purchasing it.
Another area that saw a lot of action was the swimming pool where the Ultimate Air Dogs challenged dogs to showcase their leaping and retrieving skills in the water.
Adoptable dogs provide cuddles May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
Operations manager Brain Wilcox, a Michigan native and son of founder Milt Wilcox, former Detroit Tigers pitcher, said they travel year-round across the country to different events.
He said he enjoys meeting people and their dogs at events like Bark on Biddle.
“The view of the Detroit River is beautiful,” Wilcox said. “I grew up north of Detroit, and I never realized how pretty Wyandotte and some of these smaller cities Downriver are.”
Joel Sherard, who was working for 360 Productions as the master of ceremonies and dog contest organizer, said they have had more than a hundred dogs enter contests during the three days of Bark on Biddle.
He said he enjoys the happiness generated by the event.
“There’s a lot of bad stuff going on in the world, and this is just happy: there’s puppies and people and families, and it’s sunny and it’s just a great day,” Sherrard said. “It makes you realize life ain’t so bad.”
Adoptable dogs provide cuddles May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
A dog competes in the Lucky Dogs Lure Coursing area on May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
A canine costume contest showcases owner creativity May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
People’s pets compete in Ultimate Air Dog challenges May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.
The view from Bishop Park along the Detroit River is sunny and relaxing May 31 during the annual Bark on Biddle in Wyandotte.