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closeMutts Off Main draws in the large and the small
Third annual dog-lovers’ event in downtown Sumner welcomes good weather, well-behaved dogs and many fun events
Roxanne Cooke
They paraded in sundresses and itty-bitty pairs of jeans. Some wore Seattle Mariners gear and others supported the Seahawks. Two even pranced around in a tiny tux and miniature wedding gown.
Dogs of all shapes, sizes colors and breeds flocked downtown Sumner last weekend for the third annual Mutts Off Main event. Approximately 1,200 humans showed up.
Likely one of the largest dogs that graced Kincaid Avenue was Harley, a 5-year-old English Mastiff.
Despite his 233-pound frame, Harley — and Mastiffs in general — are docile and gentle, said owner and Bonney Lake resident Jenny Bammel.
“They’re just really gentle giants,” she said. “They’re just sweethearts. His biggest defense is his drool.”
That drool left a large wet spot on the concrete, even though the two stood in the shade. The weather was sunny and hot for the entire day.
That type of weather is typical for the event, though this year was not as hot as the previous two years, said volunteer and Friends of Downtown chair Theresa Fremont.
For Bammel and Harley, this was their first time at Mutts Off Main. Bammel said she was impressed with how well behaved and friendly most of the other dogs were.
“I love it — lots of friendly dogs,” she said.
Also cooling down in the shade were Marty Lipp, of Puyallup, and her 3-year-old Chihuahua, Chikita. Lipp and Chikita, sporting a red vest, have come to Mutts Off Main every year since the start.
“She absolutely loves it,” Lipp said. “I just live close by, and we like to socialize with other dogs.”
Chikita was a shelter dog Lipp found in Eastern Washington. Lipp taught her a number of tricks within a month, including shake, play dead and catch, along with some less common tricks: Chikita will ring a bell when she needs to go outside to go to the bathroom.
“She’s special because she comes from a shelter,” Lipp said. “She’s my family.”
By 1:30 p.m., the Mutt Parade, hot dog eating contest and doggie fashion show had come and gone, but Priscilla Paine and her Pembroke Welsh corgi, Christopher, stayed to watch Father Young’s animal blessings.
Paine, from Olympia, said her corgi is “a bit independent” and will do anything for food. He’s an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen, meaning he passed a number of obedience tests.
It was their first time at Mutts Off Main, but the two plan to return.
“We’ll be back next year with outfits,” Paine said.