Run for Rover
Run for Rover is held at LaSalle Park each July. There are a ton of activities including a 5k run/walk, a pet walk, a pet costume contest and a race for kids.
From Roxy, a Run for Rover benefactor:
I'm Roxy and I'm an active dog. My owner likes to run too, and we run a lot together. My owner heard of the Run for Rover last year and was really excited about taking me down to LaSalle Park to race the other dogs (and people). This year's event was a lot of fun and the weather was fantastic. There were literally hundreds of dogs (and a cat) and their owners at the park enjoying the complimentary flying discs and the festive atmosphere.
Omar from Animal Outfitters was even giving out canine ice cream and other frozen dog treats. That was all fun, but I was there to race. The runner turnout was pretty good and some of my competition looked pretty fast. When the race started, I took off. My owners held me back a little knowing that I don't pace myself very well. I was able to maintain my lead over the females in the race with only a couple of males ahead of me. When I finished, I was greeted by the 5k race coordinator who gave me a lovely garland made of last year's race medals.
Soon after, at the award ceremony, I was given another medal for being the fastest female in the race, and my owner was given a gift card from Fleet Feet Sports as well as a new book, Vetting (www.pdfpub.com), written by a local veterinarian. I was so excited I had to give the handsome bearded race coordinator a big wet kiss on the lips. I don't think he was expecting it, but I don't think he minded too much. I hope my owner takes me back to the Run for Rover next year because it is a great party for dogs. The staff from the Buffalo Animal Shelter (where she adopted me a couple years ago) was there along with many other animal welfare organizations.
Many animal supply vendors were there selling all sorts of interesting items. I even got blessed by local pet communicator Reverend Renee Karen just before the The costume contest, which was very interesting. The Emcee, Linda Pellegrino picked a dog wearing a pink inflatable bathing suit for the prize from Animal Outfitters. Fisher-Price sponsored a race for kids (which I could have easily won). The fun went on and on.
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