Portland's Favorite Pet Event - Coming in May 2009!

Downtown Portland goes to the dogs on May 9th for the 22nd Annual OHS Doggie Dash. Help us raise $245,000 for animals and have a great time doing it.

Please note: Cars will be banned from Naito Parkway for the 1.5 mile walk for pets and people (dogs not required!). We've also added a new 2.5 mile bridge-to-bridge loop for runners and walkers.

We'll transform Waterfront Park into a huge "barking lot" for for an estimated 5,000 people and almost as many four-legged friends, plus vendors, live music, and contests to show off your dog;'. The 2008 Doggie Dash was voted Portland's favorite pet event by readers of Spot magazine!

Here are the details:

When: May, 9th, 2009. On-site registration opens at 7:30 am; runners leave at 9:00 am; walkers begin at 9:15 am. Online registration is now open.

Where: Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. The main registration tent is located in the park near the intersection of SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St. (close to the Battleship Oregon monument). Vendor booths and demonstration areas will stretch along the park from Pine St. to the Morrison Bridge.

The Course: The 1.5 mile course begins on SW Naito Parkway near Stark St. You'll proceed down a car-free Naito Parkway to approximately the Hawthorne bridge, then turn north along the park's seawall, then return south again on Naito Parkway.

Bridge to Bridge Option: Our new 2.5 mile route uses the same stating and ending points as the 1.5 mile route, but now takes Dashers over the Hawthorne Bridge, down the Eastbank Esplanade, over the Steel Bridge, and back to Waterfront Park. It's dog friendly and has great views of the city. Runners go at 9:00 at 2.5 mile run, followed by walkers on the 2.5 mile route at 9:15, followed by walkers on the 1.5 mile loop at 9:30.


Contests & Activities: Doggie Dash activities continue until 1 pm with fun for all:

-Doggie contests such as Best Kisser, Musical Chairs, Strangest Mutt Mix, Best Dressed Dog, Best Singing Duo, and more (full list).

-Frisbee clinic and demonstration by Greg Gustafson of Border Collies International. You can enter your dog in the Frisbee contest.

-Free dog examinations by Banfield, The Pet Hospital.

-Vendor booths with pet products and services.

-Live music by the Lost Creek bluegrass band.

-Pancake breakfast for all registered Dashers.


Vendors

Waterfront Park will be lined with vendors who support OHS efforts to rescue, shelter and find homes for animals. Watch this space for a complete list of vendors who will be offering pet-friendly products and services.


Raise Donations and Earn Prizes: See more information here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/Collect_Donations.asp


Getting There by Tri-Met: Bring Your Dog!

Although dogs are usually not allowed on TriMet, TriMet is making an exception for Doggie Dash! Riders can bring their dogs to and from Doggie Dash on any TriMet MAX train until 2 pm on May 9th. Riders with dogs should bring their Dash registration receipt and/or their Dash race “bib” as proof they are going to Doggie Dash. Regular fares apply to riders, but dogs ride free!

Dog owners need to follow these rules:

* Dogs must be under the owner’s control - leash or in a crate - at all times.
* Dogs must be wearing a head collar such as Gentle Leader or wear a muzzle.
* Dogs need to be wearing an ID tag that includes the owner's contact information.
* Dogs and riders must use only the rear car only of a two-car train.

Parking

Smart Park Garages at:

SW 1st & Jefferson
SW 3rd & Alder (closest to registration tent)
SW 4th & Yamhill
NW Naito & Davis

For more information and forms, click here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/Doggie_Dash_Event_Information.asp