Brad and I volunteered to walk dogs in the local St. Patricks Day parade last Saturday.
Nice brisk day, sun was out to balance it out. Perfect.
We went to the shelter at 9am to pick up our dogs.
It was unorganized, so I took advantage and moved quick to pick our dogs while people looked lost.
Brad took Riley a medium sized Hound mix. 1 years old, lots of energy but a quick learner. Brad took him out to use the bathroom before we got going and spend some time with him to calm him down. He play bit Brad a few times, and Brad stuck his thumb in his mouth every time he did it, and very soon he stopped. He even calmed down quite a bit.
I picked out Hercules a 4 year old Pekinese. He was sweet and happy, and very fat. A little butterball. I called him Piggie, and "my little sausage". Such a sweet scrunched up little face, making all these snorting sounds.
We put Riley in Goliath's old dog kennel, and put Piggie in the front on the floor in between Brad's legs. Riley was a perfect gentleman, not one peep the whole ride.
When we got to the set site, Brad found a guy with a clipboard to ask where we were in the parade. We had slot number 8, very close to the front. One of the staff members from the shelter was there, so JAG took over, found where we were supposed to go, and even found 3 boys to hold the sign for us in the parade. Lots of political parties were there. But there were also 2 bagpipe groups, and at least 3 groups of Irish dancing kids. (so adorable!!)
I've never been in a parade before, it was a lot of fun. I walked along the side so Piggie could get up close to the people and get some pets from them, or just go say hi. Lots of kids bundled up with butterfly nets, hats and bags to catch candy being thrown. They were so cute, the really little ones even had little chairs and wrapped in their cute little blankets, and then you'd hear them pipe up "Doggie!"
I was worried about my little Piggie making it to the end of the parade and back to our car, the whole thing and back was about 2 miles. But he did it! I was so proud of him. We rested some before we went back to the car and he laid down.
At the end of the parade track, we pulled over and sat on the curb to see the rest of the parade. Like I said Piggie laid down, and Brad kept his arms Riley to keep him still. He still managed to swipe the mitten from the kid next to him in a stroller, and make the kid hesitantly go "Mommie??", then Brad looked and saw what he did and gave it back.
I loved the little Irish dancing girls, with their bouncing curls, and red little cheeks!
It was a nice parade, and good exercise for us.

I took a lot of pics.

This is Riley. Pretty happy and excited to be there!



Brad & I wore big green hats, except I eventually took mine off cause it was too big and kept falling in my face.



Riley talking with Sugar, a dog brought by another volunteer, but it was her dog.



Waiting for the parade to begin



This little dog seemed to really like Piggie, she was with the political group in front of us.



This dog is a puppy from the shelter that didn't feel like walking.



Little dancing girls!! :)



Another political dog and Piggie.



More dogs, not from the shelter. Just lots of dogs about. I LOVE DOGS!!






Riley



another dog



Piggie laying down.


Digit, the Bank One mascot



Max & Erma.



Bagpipers!



























This is the queen of the Paramount Tall Club. All members are at least 6'2".