Bark in the Park at Capaha slated for Saturday

Every dog has its day, and Southeast Missouri canines, it seems, have many. Events throughout the year give pet owners an opportunity to meet up and allow dogs a chance to interact with each other.

Saturday will be one of those days.

People and their pets are invited to Capaha Park for Bark at the Park, an annual fundraiser benefiting the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

“It’s a good time to come out to come out and hang out with some like-minded people who love their pets and want to have something fun to do with them,” Tracy Poston, director of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, said.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with a fundraising walk around Capaha Park lagoon. Registration for the walk begins at 8:30 and costs $25. Participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch.

“So hopefully everybody has encouraged their family and friends to participate and raise some money for the Humane Society,” Poston said.

The rest of the event will focus on fun times with furry friends.

Little Egypt Search and Rescue (LESAR) will hold a demonstration of its canine crew. The organization trains dogs to assist in a variety of searches. On hand will be Toby, a scent-trailing dog, and Addie, a human-remains detection dog. Toby and Addie, both former rescues, have been recognized for their work by state and area law enforcement. Bridget Jackson, acting president and canine handler for LESAR, said the organization also will be available to talk about testing, training and how to join the LESAR team.

K-9 Biz, an obedience school in Dexter, Missouri, also will have former students and members of their Paws Club to demonstrate a variety of tricks.

“There will be dogs of different levels,” Christa Tucker, owner of K-9 Biz, said. “Some will know some basic commands,” while others will have more advanced skills, she said.

This year’s Bark in the Park has a superhero theme, and attendees are encouraged to get in the spirit through costume contests by dog and owner and a pet-trick competition.

Southeast Missouri businesses will have tents in the park, as well as not-for-profit groups such as Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary, Mac’s Mission and the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. The Cape Girardeau chapter of Greyhound Pets of America will be on hand with information. Barb Frolker, a member of the organizing committee for the event, said each table will have something interactive to do.

Bark in the Park has been an annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri for more than 20 years. Over the decades, the event has expanded.

“When I started coming, everything was only under the pavilion,” Frolker said. The event now reaches well beyond the original confines throughout the park.

Poston encourages area residents to come out and see what Bark in the Park is about and support the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

“We give people good dogs,” she said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

Capaha Park, Cape Girardeau, MO