Precious pooches to strut their stuff at doggie fashion show
Theo was one of the winners at last years Green Paws fashion show in Bagenalstown
FURRY fashionistas will be showing their style in Bagenalstown later this month.
Four-legged friends from across the county are being invited to a very special charity fashion show. Organised by Gabi Wilejto of Green Paws, the gathering will take place in Fairgreen Park on Sunday 29 September between noon and 4.30pm. This is the second year the event has run.
“We are doing this because people were asking after last year’s event. We hope to grow it every year and have this as an annual charity fundraiser,” Gabi told , adding that last year’s event had over 80 doggie participants and their humans.
This year’s chosen charities are Cara Rescue Dogs, which operates a dog fostering network across Leinster, and My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue, an animal welfare organisation that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted, neglected and abused animals. Both charities offer fostering and adoption services.
“The rescues struggle a lot. They do so much good work. We have people who come to our classes who have rescued from Cara.
"People don’t understand the costs involved – vet bills, pet food – it’s important to make people aware of the commitment in owning a dog, and fostering gives people a chance to see what’s involved,” said Gabi, adding: “If you rescue a dog, you will always have the charities’ support.”
The family event is free, with a small fee for the fashion show and raffle tickets, which will be available to buy on the day. The fashion show takes place from 1pm, with prizes for different categories, including best rescue dog, best puppy and most obedient. For those feeling energetic, there will be a mini agility and fitness course as well as face painting, ice-cream and chips.
As well as her Green Paws grooming and accessory store in Bagenalstown, Gabi also teaches obedience and socialisation classes, training dogs in off lead recall and group environments. She says events like this help to raise awareness that “your dog is another family member and is for life”.
