“The Greatest Pet Show on Earth!”

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It’s FINALY Here!

Pet lovers unite!

Dogs jumping, cats playing, birds riding a bike and ferrets racing are a few of the exciting activities to see at the Pet Expo

Once you enter, you and your pet will be greeted

with a panorama of so many pet events you won’t

know where to start. For dog lovers, there are agility

exhibitions, grooming demonstrations and a Buckeye

Dock Dog competition, where dogs compete to jump

the farthest into a pool of water. This exciting event

is what caused the roar of the crowd I’d heard outside.

If you stand too close, prepare to get wet!

For cat lovers, the Amazing Acro-Cats will perform

on stage all three days, plus play a variety of

musical instruments! Horse rescue organizations will

have horses on hand to pet and videos of many

horses that need homes. In the Bird World area,

you’ll find live demonstrations on how to handle and

harness a bird. Hang around long enough and you

may be entertained by watching a bird ride a bike.

A petting zoo and pony rides are favorites with

younger children. Last year, a long-horned steer

named Sancho was available to have his

picture taken with you. This year,

your kids can get a photo with a

real live Easter Bunny.

If you don’t already have

a furry loved one, you may

find it difficult not to start

the paperwork to adopt a

new one while you’re at

the Expo. There will be

more than 30 animal

rescue groups on hand

with some of their rescuees

and information

on how to adopt others.

And if there’s something

you want for your

pet, you’ll find it here.

More than 100 exhibitors

will be carrying items you

didn’t know you needed

until you see them. There are

dog and cat treats, clothes,

leashes, toothbrushes, beds, cleaning

supplies, training books, mugs and

key chains, including ones with photos of every breed

of dog imaginable.

Last year, I saw animal trainer Joel Silverman from

Animal Planet give some pointers on training. His dog,

Foster, showed off as he held a postcard in his mouth,

climbed steps to a mailbox, opened it, inserted the card,

closed the door, then put up the flag. Joel will be back

this year with his favorite dogs to entertain you. He is

also selling his newest book, What Color Is Your Dog?

At the seminar stage you’ll find lectures on topics

such as “Pet First Aid and CPR Overview,” “Coping

with Pet Loss” and “Dental Care for your Pets” to

name just a few. Jerry Lee Parker, “The Smoothest

Horse Trainer in the Business,” and other local

professional horse trainers will give seminars

on a variety of equine training techniques.

New activities this year include:

• The North American Kennel Club will

hold its National Competition of Rare and

Ancient Dog Breeds on Saturday and

Sunday. Unique dog breeds that you have

never seen before will vie for top placement.

• Craig Rogers and his K-9 Revolution

Frisbee Dogs, as seen on The Late Show

with David Letterman, will perform shows

several times a day.

• Bwana Jim’s Reptile Show will offer an

exciting adventure into the world of reptiles

and other exotic creatures.

• The Columbus Pet Expo Fashion Show

will feature the latest fashions and accessories

for your pets on the runway stage. Some

of the wonderful rescue animals that are up for adoption

will model the latest fashions.

• Be sure to bring an outfit for your own fashionconscious

pet for the Dress Up Your Pet contest,

held on Saturday and Sunday (visit the Web site

for contest times and rules). Win exciting prizes

and have the winner’s photo included in the

Columbus Pet Expo Photo Gallery.

So if you love your pet or need a pet,

check out the Columbus Pet Expo!

Nikki Heath is the graphic artist for

Country Living.

It’s a giant pet party! If there’s ever a place to spoil

your pet, learn about pets, see new pets or pet a pet,

this is the place to be.

I attended last year’s Columbus Pet Expo at

Veterans Memorial in downtown Columbus and was

stunned at its size and scope, and this year’s event

from March 26 to 28 promises to be even bigger.

Attend and you’ll see not only dogs and cats but also

horses, alpacas, ferrets, birds and reptiles. Plus, there

are all manner of exciting events to watch or even to

participate in.

You may well sense the excitement, just as I did

when I heard the roar of the crowd from inside as I

approached the building. Lots of people were headed

inside, their own pet in hand. Yes, you are welcome to

bring your own pet, as long as it’s well-behaved, a

year or older, up-to-date with its shots and in a pet-friendly

enclosure such as a stroller (see the Web site

for a complete list of rules and to obtain a liability

waiver that must be signed).

Who loves who more? Longtime

volunteer for PetPromise Dave Huddle

with his adopted dog Gigi.

Story and photos by NIKKI HEATH

Columbus Pet Expo, Franklin County

Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St.,

Columbus; Friday, March 26, 12 p.m.–9

p.m., Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.,

Sunday, March 28, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Check

www.columbuspetexpo.com for directions,

discount ticket offers and information on rules

governing your pet’s attendance.

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