Tails of the City: A Howly, Jowly Holiday in the Gaslamp

By Peggy Scott

Cheery canines and festive felines will put their best foot — or, more accurately, paw — forward when they take to the streets Sunday, Dec. 13, for the second annual Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade.

Decked out in their yuletide finery, these pets and their people will spread the spirit of the season as they compete to win prizes for “best pet costume,” “best owner costume” and “best of show” for the top critter/human ensemble. The parade starts its procession from the park next to the Hilton Hotel at Sixth Avenue and K Street. The marching menagerie will then make its way up the decorated Fifth Avenue and under the Gaslamp arch, cross E Street, patter down Fourth Avenue and finish back at the park next to the Hilton where it started. Judges along the route will have their pencils poised as they choose costume contest winners.

Along with the 150-plus participants, some 300-500 spectators gathered along the route last year to enjoy the show, noted Heather Ashby, marketing manager for the Gaslamp Quarter Association. “We’ve had dogs and cats, some rabbits, even a turtle dress up,” Ashby said. “People are crazy about their dogs and like to celebrate with them.”

Ashby is expecting a larger turnout for this year’s parade, which kicks off at 3 p.m. The $10 registration fee includes a spot in the parade, matching owner-and-pet Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade dog tags, and a pet goodie bag containing animal treats, discounts, coupons and other pet-friendly gifts and offers. The park serving as the parade’s start-and-end spot will also be the site of a small community pet expo from 1-5 p.m., featuring local celebrities and pet-related products and services, the awards ceremony, a pet talent show, and the chance for owners and pets to get their photos snapped (this year’s holiday card, perhaps?).

Even if your pooch won’t promenade, the parade is great fun to watch. Who knows? You might see Rudolph the red-nosed Rhodesian Ridgeback or Fluffy the Snowman. Now that would be a holiday memory.

Registration for the Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade is available at www.gaslamp.org on the events page, or you can sign up at the event.

Peggy Scott is a freelance pet writer. She can be contacted at pscott.pets@yahoo.com