Mutt Strut at Langus Riverfront ParkThu, July 28, 2016 by Everett PostSHARE NOW Edna Police DepartmentHomeNorth Sound StoriesMutt Strut at Langus Riverfront ParkEverett Parks and Recreation has combined forces with the Everett Animal Shelter, Snohomish County Animal Control, and Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital to bring us Mutt Strut, taking place on August 13 at Langus Riverfront Park. The event kicks off with a 1.2 mile dog walk at 10:15 and features a huge array of canine friendly activities and vendors. Dee Cordell, the Everett Animal Shelter Operations Coordinator was quoted in the city’s press release as saying, “This event has it all, a walk along the Snohomish River, vendors selling cool pet stuff you can’t find in the big box stores, crazy competitions for your dog and pet adoptions. There really is something for every canine.”Rover Races begin at 11:00 am and as races tend to be, are all about speed. The dogs are divided by size and breed into five categories to keep things fair. Pet Showcase competitions start off at 12:30, and cover harder hitting subjects, such as best two-legged walk, fastest to obey ‘sit’ command, and if you’re feeling crafty, how long can a six foot leash constructed entirely of toilet paper hold out? This is a short list among many of the fun categories.Addressing a more serious issue, free microchipping for Snohomish County Residents is available, for both dogs and cats. The chip is a glass bead, about the size of a grain of rice, and contains a radio transmitter, antennae, and a ten digit code, which can be read by a scanner, that will produce your contact information; it doesn’t operate with any kind of GPS capacity.According to a study published by the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 1 in 3 pets will be lost at some point in their lives, and while the rate for dogs to be reunited in shelters with their owners is only 22%, that rate rises substantially to 52% when chipped. For cats, the rate is an abysmal less than 2%, compared to 38% when microchipped.Once you’re on site, be sure to ask about the risks versus rewards of implanting a chip, and consider your lifestyle with your pet as well. If you live in a rural area and your dog roams off-leash far and wide, it’s a high risk behavior to hope it just comes back. If your dog has a tendency to ‘bolt’ should also be considered. If your dog has to be coaxed off of the sofa with CheezDoodles and Beggin’ Strips to even step outside, and you obey leash laws consistently, you’re at a much lower risk of losing your pet. Chips also carry the risk of an autoimmune reaction (their body can reject it, or a tumor can result at the injection/placement site) so be sure to ask lots of questions before committing to this personal choice.Residents can also have their pet evaluated (it takes about twenty minutes) for Canine Good Citizen. Provided that your dog passes, you’ll be issued a certificate and a ribbon for Fido’s good manners.Attendance is free, just like the microchipping. If you’re up for the challenge, sign up for the Rockin’ Paw 5k Walk-a-Run that begins at nine AM. The cost is $35 or $20, depending on if you pick up a tee-shirt. Proceeds go to support the Animal Rescue Fund.Schedule9am Rockin’ Paw 5K Walk ‘A’ Run presented by ARF 9am-11am Register for Rover Run Racing Competitions 9am-noon Register for Pet Showcase Competitions 10:15am Community Dog Walk 10am-noon Free dog and cat microchipping* 10am-2pm Vendor displays and pet adoptions 10am-2pm Canine Good Citizenship evaluations* 11am Rover Run Racing Competitions 12:30pm Pet Showcase Competitions*For Snohomish County residents only Rover Run Racing CompetitionsBig Dog Derby Dachshund Dash Pug Chug Tea Cup TrotPet Showcase CompetitionsToilet Paper Leash Obstacle Course Best Two-legged Walk Fastest Disappearing Pupacchino Catching Most Barks in 20 Seconds Musical Sit Hurdle Jump Most Tricks in 45 Seconds Best Dressed Dog