GEORGE NEWS - The SPCA's annual Bark in the Park event took place on Saturday in the Garden Route Botanical Garden.
Added to their usual forest walk was their inaugural Rainbow Run, which saw eager participants showering each other, and themselves, with coloured powder.
The walk was a more sedate affair and the many people who brought their dogs for the beautiful route through the gardens and forest said that they enjoyed it enormously.
Some of the walkers got into the colour spirit and a pretty vivid group appreciated the lovely weather. The final event of the day was the very popular fun dog show. The adjudicators had a difficult job identifying the winners because they felt that they were all champions.
Garden Route SPCA Chairman Heather Church announced the winners and told the crowd that her favourite category was the Best Welfare Dog because she and the SPCA staff had a chance to meet up with some pets they had known and loved at the SPCA in the past.
Judging by the happy, if somewhat streaked and bright, faces it is evident that this event will continue to grow and attract more runners, walkers and four-legged companions.
The GRSPCA wishes to thank the following most sincerely: the Garden Route Botanical Garden for giving them the unrivalled venue, the George Herald for all of the publicity, the members of the public for their enthusiastic support - especially the Saturday park runners who gave up one of their occasions to accommodate them and lastly the SPCA volunteers and staff for their successful efforts - especially Debi Patrick and Dawn de Beer who made hundreds of Furry Friday ribbons and packaged the coloured powder.
The winnners of the Cutest Dog Category are from left: Martha Parkhouse and Ally (second place), Jade Hofer and Lyla (first place), Sheila Janse van Rensburg and Girty (fourth place) and Jayden Heeson and Flash (third place).
Winners in the Best Welfare Dog Category are from left: Anerie Roos and Jesse (fourth place), Pam Passmore and Cody (first place), Tristen Ongley and Peach (fifth place), Frank Gibaud and Lucky (second place) and Rod Brown and Heidi (third place). Photos: Wendy Jones Article by Wendy Jones, SPCA volunteer
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