Neighborhood Pets Sought For Smith Village Pet Parade

CHICAGO, IL — Pets belonging to Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood residents will be allowed to enter the Smith Village Pet Parade this year, the 11th annual event held at the life plan community just east of Western Avenue on 1113th Place. Well-behaved dogs on leashes and smaller animals in carrying cases will be entered in the Dog Days of Summer Pet Parade outdoors on the Smith Village Green from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 20.

Entry forms can be obtained at the Smith Village reception desks and must be turned in by Monday, July 16. Special prizes will be awarded to top contestants, and doggie bags will be given out to all participants.

Breaking from the tradition of featuring pets of Smith Village residents and neighbors only, this year’s event also will include Alpacas, Tina and Mikey, a potbelly pig named Happy and some Heritage chickens from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

“Smith Village is home to several dogs and cats, and we encourage our residents to own pets, but we also think it’s important to appreciate the roles other animals play in our lives,” said Marti Jatis, Smith Village executive director. “So, this year, in addition to showcasing the personalities of so many wonderful pets, we’re also hosting animals from a great school in our neighborhood.”

Stars in this year’s event also will include Smitty, the Smith Village therapy rabbit, several registered therapy dogs, as well as dogs, cats and other small animals owned by Smith Village staff and residents’ family members.

In previous years, the parade included only the pets of Smith Village residents.

For more information, call 773-474-7300 and ask for Bridget Murphy.

Photo: Biscuit, who resides at Smith Village with his owner, Pat Conway, charms the audience at the 2017 Smith Village Dog Days of Summer pet parade. The 7-year old Shih Tzu Pomeranian will perform tricks again this year / Photo by Gary Middendorf