From staff reports
The coming Halloween holiday was subtly — and not so subtly — present at Concord’s annual Dog’s Day Out event on Saturday.
From a dog talent contest called “Tricks for Treats” to the many dog Halloween costumes, the dogs and their owners were in the Halloween spirit.
And despite some overcast weather and some sprinkles, the event proved to be a literal “walk in the park” for all participants.
Quin Dionne, 45, of Concord, entered her five-month-old Rat Terrier, Bay, in both the talent and costume contests.
Dionne and Bay, both in lifeguard apparel, performed a CPR life safety trick.
“It’s not really anything. I pick her up and put her on my stomach,” said Dionne, an art teacher at Concord High School. “I’m just entering because it doesn’t look like there’s much competition.”
Dionne, a part-time lifeguard, joked, saying Bay was better at the breathing component of the CPR trick, rather than the 30 compressions required in performing real CPR.
The Dog’s Day Out event was presented by the Concord Parks and Recreation Department and the Concord Youth Council, working with Cabarrus CARES and Kitty City to collect food donations for displaced animals.
“Particularly right now, as people lose their homes to foreclosure, their dogs are also being misplaced,” said Deborah Clark, Concord’s public relations manager who oversees the Youth Council. “Some people just can’t afford the extras for their pets.”
The event also included several pet-related vendors and informational booths.
Perhaps the youngest dog in attendance on Saturday was nine-week-old Bailey, a puppy belonging to Adam and Samantha Carroll of Concord.
The Carrolls said they brought Bailey to Saturday’s event to socialize their new dog — even though she was a little young to let her run in the baseball field where officials allowed a leash-free zone.
“She definitely gets a lot of attention. That’s for sure,” Samantha said.