Everyone has a story – and that includes our family pets. For those gathered July 29 for the 13th Annual Pet Carnival hosted by the North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws At Play Resort and Daycare, those stories brought the City Green to life as hundreds of pet owners and their furry friends walked the grassy grounds visiting vendors, participating in activities and enjoying the warm, sunny weather.
“She gave me life,” said Brendalee Salk of her 1-year-old Teacup Chihuahua, Miss Prissy, dressed in a ship anchor bandana. “She gives unconditional love.”
Salk, a resident of Parma, got Miss Prissy as a rescue. The teeny pooch had a broken leg, was malnourished, had an underbite and was nearly put down by her breeder before Salk stepped in.
Local author Jane Helen Cooper, writer of “Willie and the Tomato Garden,” a children’s book teaching the value of sharing, got her book’s namesake, Willie, from family living in Seattle. Willie, who has since passed away, was an Airedale Terrier and will star in Cooper’s follow-up story teaching children about the experience of moving and leaving familiar environments. To assist her in her writing, Cooper reflected on her experiences receiving Willie cross-country from Washington state.
“Willie was a patient of Dr. Hechko’s and she was always such an endearing dog,” Cooper said. “It was Dr. Hechko who actually encouraged me to write a book based on Willie because he knew I was finishing my degree in creative writing.”
For the Jacin Family of North Royalton, their 2-year-old Bullmastiff, Arlo, weighs in at 138 pounds.
“What did we learn about ourselves after getting Arlo?” thought owner Jaclyn Jacin alongside her husband Aaron, and their children. “That we have to watch out for our socks.”
It’s stories like these that make the annual Pet Carnival one of the city’s most beloved events. The reason is simple enough: we love our pets and the chance to celebrate them.
Along with vendors and activities like a pet photo booth and a pet weight guessing game, eventgoers also took chances at winning scores of raffle baskets donated by Pet Carnival vendors and clients of North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws At Play Resort and Daycare. All proceeds from basket ticket sales went directly to three charities: Molly’s Mission dedicated to subsidizing medical treatments and pet owners’ bills, Give Pets A Chance providing financial assistance to qualified pet owners throughout Ohio, and W.A.G.S. 4 Kids providing mobility service and autism service animals to children with special needs.
Also on site was the North Royalton Homesteaders 4H Club Petting Zoo, a meet-and-greet with Onyx, a 16-year-old Cleveland Metroparks Mounted Unit Horse and his Mounted Ranger Jim Newman, and the Cleveland Animal Protective League Adoption Mobile.
“Onyx has been everywhere from the Republican National Convention, the Fourth of July at Edgewater Park, the World Series and the Cavs championship,” said Mounted Ranger Jim Newman. “The advantage of the mounted ranger unit is that we can go more places, like high up in the woods, and we interact more with the community through public relations and community relations. We train with our horses all year long using all sorts of things like fire crackers, balls and other items.”
Vendors set up their wares beneath a large tent and sold everything from pet collars to handcrafted toys and clothing to animal-themed gifts and trinkets.
“My favorite part of being at this event is looking at all the different dogs who come here,” said North Royalton teen Ashley Workman, co-owner of Ashley’s Cool Gifts selling hand-sewn pet blankets, toys, pet-themed keepsake jewelry, and other products.
Royal Canin, a manufacturer and supplier of science-based nutrition dog and cat food, was another vendor visiting with Pet Carnival goers and handing out samples and informational literature. Cat lovers take note: Royal Canin will sponsor the CFA International Cat Show coming up Oct. 13-14 at the I-X Center. The largest cat show in the nation, the event will showcase the top national, international and household cats, and feature feline competitions, attractions and vendors.
Pediatric Dentist Jen Hechko, wife of North Royalton Animal Hospital Director Adam Hechko, was also at the event with her team from Brecksville Kids Dentistry and the office therapy dog, Balto, a Bichon Frise-Maltese mix.
“With Balto, it’s kind of like ‘Cheers,’ where everyone walks in and is so excited to say hello to him,” Hechko said. “Even if it’s a time where we don’t have patients, Balto will hop up onto the chair and wait for kids to arrive. He’s made such a big difference to our children who may have high anxiety about visiting the dentist and our patients with special needs.”
For North Royalton Animal Hospital Director Adam Hechko, the Pet Carnival is a wonderful way to honor our pets and all the joy they bring us.
“I love the opportunity to see pets in a different capacity, other than the hospital and office setting,” he said. “We’re so lucky to be able to hold this event each year and enjoy spending a nice afternoon out with our pets and one another.”
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer