Dog Days Westonka Returns to Mound’s Harbor District Park Aug. 11

(Mound) - The Dog Days of Summer will be here before you know it, and so will the much-anticipated annual event for dog lovers: Dog Days Westonka.

The 8th annual event takes place on Sat., Aug. 11 between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Mound Harbor District Park, which is on Auditors Road between Shoreline Drive and Commerce Blvd in Mound. The day features lots of fun activities for both dogs and people. The event will kick off right at 9 a.m. with the annual pet parade followed by the Blessing of the Animals, then the fun gets underway.

The “Pet Olympics” theme will continue when the dogs compete for bragging rights and prizes in the pet costume parade, doggie limbo, high jump and musical sit. New this year will be the agility run where people can bring their pets and run the course. Returning is the always popular Splash for Cash, where dogs compete in a long jump into Lake Minnetonka for cash prizes and the Cutest Puppy Contest.

There will also be a Pet Expo, which will feature a nail trim booth, hydration booth, information about microchip implants, and a Smooch Your Pooch booth. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s K9 unit will also be back with more demonstrations.

In addition, Xerxes, the Orono Police Department’s new service dog is the first of his kind to join a local police team. He knows all about comforting and connecting with individuals experiencing fear, anxiety, or a mental health crisis.

This year’s featured authors are teen writer Justin M. Anderson, whose debut book, “Saving Stripes: A Kitty’s Story,” tells the story of the cat family he rescued from the point-of-view of the kitten he adopted. One-hundred percent of proceeds are donated to the nonprofit, S.O.S. Relief, Inc., which runs the Adopt-A-Pet Shop in Plymouth. Also in the booth will be Suzanne Walcher, author of "Kate Takes the Cake," a story about foods that are not appropriate for pets. One dollar from each book sold is donated to the Top Dog Foundation, which helps provide loving and permanent homes for senior dogs through fostering and adoption.

The event benefits various pet programs serving the community, and local pet related projects. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/Dog-Days-Westonka-103274003095983.

# # #