The dog days of summer are coming.
Cochranites inclined toward considering their four-legged friends as family members will be afforded the luxury of pampering them to their hearts’ content at what organizers are hoping will be the first of an annual celebration of pets.
And the goal is to have some fun.
The first ever Cochrane Pet Expo, presented by Global Pet Foods Cochrane, is coming to the Cochrane & District Agricultural Society Park on May 27 from 10 am to 4 pm.
And if comments from Global Pet Foods owner Fiona Sharman are any indication, there are apparently quite a few area residents eager to make their special friends the star of any show.
Sharman has gone so far as to make her pride and joy Chili not only a popular kids’ entertainer in the family-owned Global Pet Foods store, but also a budding star on Instagram.
Chili is an 18-year old hound, who as all ‘hounds’ are wont to do, breaks into baying at anyone or anything he deems worthy of his vocalizations. When he was first exposed to the newest cowboy sculpture in Cochrane’s Historic Downtown (in front of Art Evolution Gallery) the beagle in Chili came out, and he immediately broke into his customary baying at the seated cowboy.
Sharman found it so amusing she posted it to Instagram, and the likes started coming thick and fast.
She said Chili already has his own following in the store, where local children often come to visit him (though he’s usually sleeping in the back room). Chili has an affinity for kids; adults, not so much.
“He can be a bit of a burr in the side of some of our customers,” Sharman said.
Chili will sometimes bay at adults, but children love him, which makes up for the inconvenience.
“The children are considered the VIPs in the store,” she said.
As well as being a hit on Instagram, Chili is also a celebrity as his face graces the side of the humane society’s van.
Sharman is hoping the Cochrane Pet Expo becomes an annual event.
“We think it will be a great, and all families who have pets would really enjoy it,” she said.
Her daughter Christine and husband Mike also help run the store, although Sharman described Mike’s role as chiefly “changing light bulbs.” In her time in Cochrane, Sharman said she’s come to believe the number of pets per capita in Cochrane is “pretty high” compared to other communities.
“A lot of people have chosen to have pets instead of children,” she said.
The Pet Expo will be similar to Pet-A-Palooza, according to Sharman, which happens right across Canada and is coming to Calgary July 29 and 30 at the Eau Claire market. That event is being touted as “the social event of the year for dogs and their people.”
Cochrane’s expo will be on a smaller scale, but will have same idea, Sharman said.
Most dog owners will likely bring their furry friends, and enjoy the social aspect of mingling with other pet owners.
They will also be able to learn about different nutritional options, as many suppliers will have booths, along with most of the pet food retailers in town.
But Sharman stressed it will be mostly a social event, offering attendees a chance to get to know the community a little better.
It will be a day full of all things animal-related - including entertainment, learning opportunities, demos and more.
Swag bags will be given out to the first 100 families to arrive.
The Bark Side will demonstrate dog agility, disc, tricks, dancing, high jumping and more in their shows at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. An opportunity to meet the Bark Side dogs will be available before and after each performance.
Stage presentations by reps from the Cochrane & Area Humane Society, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and Pause 4 Change will provide learning opportunities on how these organizations are impacting the Cochrane community.
The marketplace showcases the latest pet products, such as food, treats, and unique accessories, as well as adoptable animals searching for their “fur-ever” homes.
Some of the more kid-oriented highlights will be Butterfield Acres’ Farm Corral, face painting, and balloon twisting. Attendees are welcome to bring their dogs, assuming they are on leash and under control.
Global Pet Foods is the main sponsor of the Cochrane Pet Expo, along with other local businesses.
The event is the brainchild of Kailey Mitchell of Quirk Social. For more information, visit quirksocial.ca/cochrane-pet-expo.
To view Chili scolding Cochrane’s newest bronze cowboy, readers can go to Global Pet Foods Cochrane on Instagram.
However, Chili will not be making an appearance at Pet Expo.
“Oh God, no,” Sharman said with a laugh.
