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All Things Canine at Hot Diggity Dog Festival
By Peggy Werner lehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s 10th annual Hot Diggity Dog Festival is a way to celebrate “man’s best friend” while cuddling up to products and services that make life better for dogs and their owners. This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., and will feature canine demonstrations, adoptable dogs, about 30 vendors and the always popular Doggy Costume Contest at 2 p.m. People can register their dogs on the day of the festival. Prairie Street Brewhouse will sell wine, beer and soft drinks and Pizza Fresca of Poplar Grove will offer gelato and pizza. Sarah Lorenz, director of marketing and membership, says more than 600 people attended last year’s festival. “This festival is a great way to remind people Klehm is pet-friendly,” says Lorenz. “Owners can walk their leashed dogs around the beautiful
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grounds anytime. Our festival will help pet owners connect with each other and see what’s available for their dogs.” Klehm board member and dog owner Michele Lind has volunteered at the festival for years with her husband, Chuck, and they’ll attend with their Golden Retriever, Augie. “It’s a great day for pets because they can play in the water fountain, get lots of attention, have treats and be outside having fun exploring with their owner,” Lind says. Kaye Busse-Kleber, owner of Bark, a pet boutique at 2002 S. Mulford Road, will offer an expanded selection of dog toys, treats, accessories and home décor for pet lovers. Some newer items include clothing, seasonal items for dogs, bandanas and locally made dog treats from The Pound Bakery in Harvard, Ill. Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 111 N. 1st St., will have dogs and puppies available for adoption, depending on
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
what animals are available, says Brooke Pond of Noah’s Ark. The booth will also have merchandise, tickets for upcoming events and information on volunteering, fostering, and adoption. Becoming a dog owner is always a special experience, she says. “People just light up with they see a dog in person rather than looking at it online. People want to hold and pet the dogs and that interaction helps in the adoption process. It’s awesome when you see an animal and a person make a great
