WEST CHESTER TWP. — Pooches can put their best paws forward Sunday at an event that celebrates all things canine.

IF YOU GO

• What: Iams Presents Dog Fest    • When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday     • Where: Voice of America Park, 8070 Tylersville Road (use the Tylersville Road entrance).    • Admission and parking: Free    • Schedule: www.westchesteroh.org    • Information: 759-7301

        “Iams Presents Dog Fest” takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Voice of America Park. It features agility, obedience and “good citizen” events, contests, children's activities and dog-related educational booths.

        “This year is really packed with activities,” said Michelle Morgan, the township's events coordinator. “We've added dog and human games, Chester's Children's Corner and puppy tales told by the West Chester Public Library staff.”

        One special canine visitor to the festival is Alexa, an Anatolian shepherd being raised at the Cincinnati Zoo along with Sahara, a young cheetah. Alexa's breed was developed centuries ago in Turkey to guard sheep and goats. Today, Anatolian shepherds are widely used in Namibia to protect herds against animals like Sahara, reducing the need to kill those predators.

        Alexa will show off her skills in a program at 3:30 p.m. Other doggie derring-do is demonstrated by the police canine and search and rescue teams.

        Pups with pizazz can register for the tail-wagging, ugliest dog, talent, or dog/owner look-alike contests. Games designed to bond dogs and their masters include tic-tac-toe, cookie toss and toy retrieval.

        This is Dog Fest's third year, and should draw record crowds, Ms. Morgan said.

        “Last year we had 5,000 humans and 2,000 canines, double what we had the year before,” she said. “This year we're anticipating 10,000 humans and between 4,000 and 5,000 canines.”

        Organizers request that all dogs be leashed and on their best behavior.
       

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