Первый фестиваль Paw-Palooza в Garden Drive-In успешно завершил поиск новых хозяев для бездомных животных

Garden Drive-In’s Paw-Palooza a success on multiple levels HUNLOCK CREEK — Ophelia arrived at the Garden Drive-In on Saturday looking for a home. By the end of the first Paw-Palooza, she had one. The approximately 9-month-old Lab mix was brought to the event by the SPCA along with information about her five siblings, all looking for families of their own. Ophelia did not have to travel far to find hers. Darcy Brocious, whose husband, Stephen, is an owner of the Garden Drive-In, met the young dog during the event and decided she was staying. “She’s named after the Taylor Swift song,” Brocious said, admiring Ophelia’s newly selected collar and already considering nicknames for the newest member of the family. The adoption was a fitting success story for Paw-Palooza, the Garden Drive-In’s first event dedicated to pets and the people who love them. Ian Bell, an owner of the Garden Drive-In, said the idea grew from the drive-in’s continuing effort to offer different events for the community, along with his own love of animals. “We’re always looking for something new to do down here,” Bell said. “I have two dogs. It just sounded like a good idea.” About 50 vendors participated in the inaugural event, offering everything from homemade pet treats and toys to beds, clothing, jewelry, and other animal-themed merchandise. But Bell said he wanted Paw-Palooza to include more than shopping. That meant inviting organizations such as the SPCA and bringing in Dana’s Reptiles for an educational presentation that gave visitors a chance to get up close with some animals they may not encounter every day. “I wanted to do something instead of just having things where you can buy stuff, and have actual things people would come out and see,” Bell said. Dana Ortiz of Dana’s Reptiles brought an assortment of animals, including turtles, bearded dragons, and other reptiles, for a hands-on program designed in part to challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding them. Ortiz said one of the biggest goals of the programs is helping people who arrive afraid of reptiles leave with a different perspective. “There’s been several people that have been really scared of the snakes and stuff, but they’ll walk away from here either holding them or petting them,” Ortiz said. One common misconception, she said, is that reptiles are slimy or unfriendly. “They all have personalities,” Ortiz said, adding that bearded dragons, in particular, can be surprisingly doglike in their behavior. Education also includes teaching people about the responsibility that comes with owning reptiles. Among the animals Ortiz brought on Saturday was a surrendered bearded dragon whose health had suffered under her previous owners. Ortiz said the animal’s mouth was deformed when she came to Dana’s Reptiles, requiring her to initially be hand-fed baby food. “She’s improved since we’ve had her,” Ortiz said. “Now she can at least eat all by herself.” For pet owners with furrier companions, BJ Thompson of The Perfect Puppy Mobile Grooming brought what she describes as her “grooming shop on wheels.” Thompson has more than 21 years of grooming experience and offers full-service grooming from the mobile unit, including baths, nail and ear care, brushing, and haircuts. She completed several smaller grooming services during Paw-Palooza while also meeting pet owners and booking future appointments. Events specifically designed for pet owners can also introduce people to services they may not realize are available locally, Thompson said. “There’s so many people that don’t even know, like, say somebody like me,” Thompson said. “They don’t know that this service exists.” She said Paw-Palooza also created an easygoing environment where animal lovers knew they were among people who understood them and their pets. “I think it’s a great idea,” Thompson said. “I would definitely do it again.” Bell appears ready to take her up on that. He said turnout was strong for the drive-in’s first attempt at Paw-Palooza and hopes to bring the event back next year, potentially with even more vendors. The sprawling drive-in property gives organizers plenty of room to grow while maintaining a broad pet-related theme. And while vendors, demonstrations, and education were all part of the plan, Bell said his favorite part of the day was simpler. “The animals, honestly,” he said. “I like all animals, but I’m partial to dogs.” By the end of Paw-Palooza, there was one more dog who had found someone to be partial to her. Ophelia was going home. Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more. Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. Click for subscription offers.