Posted: October 15, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
New York’s Central Park will be the place to be for city canines and their two-legged companions for this weekend’s My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair.
Activities at the free annual fair include an agility course, interactive maze, musical chairs (for pets and owners), dog caricatures, a pet psychic, games for puppies and senior dogs, an “Ask the Vet” booth, a microchip clinic, and service dog demonstrations. For dogs who have a trick up their paw, they can show off at an open “pet tricks” casting call with a crew from “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Dogs can also compete in the Best in Park Dog Show to see who displays the best canine behavior. Celebrity judges will be Wendy Diamond, one of the canine critics on the CBS reality show, “Greatest American Dog”; Julia Szabo, pet writer for the New York Post; and Bill Berloni, a veteran pet trainer for Broadway productions including “Legally Blonde The Musical,” and films such as “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “The Producers.”
Also appearing with their canine sidekicks will be two former contestants from “Greatest American Dog”: Laurie Williams and her white Maltese, Andrew, and David Best with Elvis, a Parson Russell Terrier.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in Central Park, mid-Park at 72nd Street between the Bandshell and Sheep Meadow. For a complete schedule of events, register as a volunteer, or register your pooch for the Best in Park show, visit www.centralparkpaws.org.
Presented by Rachael Ray Nutrish, fair supporters also include Biscuits & Bath, Nutro Pet Products, and Westside Veterinary Care.