Fall Festival ~ 2022

Greetings autumn lovers, Norman here, your pet therapist and honorary firefighter to share more pics taken from the weekend event. Yesterday, we shared a photo of me yesterday in my firefighter costume from the event but today I’m going to share some of the professional pics taken by the hospital photographer of me as well as my fellow pet therapists.

Norman & Mum
Mum and I

I’ll give her credit for to ‘trying’ to get me to go inside the fire truck but those slippery floors made me VERY nervous. The steep stairs didn’t help much either, and after coming to the conclusion I’m bigger and stronger than her, we  abandoned the notion of a pic inside and doubled back for our group pic and parade. I’m better at managing schedules and knew we were never gonna get a pic in that firetruck. But on the ‘pawsitive side,’ aren’t we a good looking group?

Pet Therapy
L-R Dolly, me, Zoe, Penny, Roxie and Riley

Although our group wasn’t as large as in past years, we made up with it by our sheer charm and handsome good looks. After our group photo, as Grand Masters we kicked off the official festivities by leading a parade down the center of the long line of booths manned by hospital staff and various vendors. There were loads of fun activities for kids of all ages to partake in, including pumpkin and face painting, and various games of skill. With lots of little people around, you can imagine us therapists didn’t have any trouble doing what we do best-putting smiles on faces.

“On your marks, get set…” Waiting for the go signal was hard because as the professionals we are, we knew what was expected of us. Here the group patiently waited for Mum to fix my wardrobe malfunction. [Note to self: make sure Mum brings me with her when shopping for a costume in the future since she clearly has no idea of my actual size.] In her defense, you’d think a XL would fit but alas, it was sized way too small. Frankly I can’t see any kind of dog fitting in those front sleeves. Nobody has armholes that teeny.

Pet Parade

Finally the signal blared over the loudspeaker.

And then we were off…more like an ambling, waddle in the close quarters than anything, but you get the idea. With the signal in the background, we walked the path up and back.

Pet Therapy Dog Parade

We walked the length of the tents, stopping frequently for petting and checking out things. I kept hoping we dogs could do some trick-r-treating but Mum said absolutely NOT! What a killjoy. Sigh.

Pet Parade

We were led by sweet Riley, a Golden Retriever, who was naturally a big hit with her lion mane, followed closed by 16-year old Roxie, the Miniature Poodle who was voted the winner of the best costume award along with her Mum. Roxie also does dance competitions and can waltz and boogie as well as Fred and Ginger which probably helped her win over the judges. That girl knows how to step fancy on the dancefloor as well as in the parade. Here is Roxie posing with Dolly, the Golden Doodle/Monarch Butterfly another favorite before the parade at a photo booth.

Pet Therapy Parade
Good dogs

After fulfilling our official duties, we were able to mill about and do our therapy thing. It was a bit chaotic with lots of kids and parents, many who brought their own pets from home. As mentioned yesterday, a Rottweiler apparently took objection to me in particular and after a brief dustup, we avoided him so as not to cause a scene. As usual, I took the high road but it became clear to Mum that it wasn’t as enjoyable on the fringes and with the denseness of so many people along with the other pet therapists, we took our leave and headed homeward after making polite rounds.

It was a nice event for hospital families and friends and we pet therapists always make it a fun event for everyone. Have you ever gone to a Fall Festival where pets and their owners were in costume?

Thanks for swinging by the Ranch and checking out another pet therapy event.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

44 thoughts on “Fall Festival ~ 2022

    1. Thanks, there are some very clever folks who use this event to show off their creativity.

  1. Yore ALL “Guud Poochiess” <3 Sweet Norman <3
    Wee think yore costume was THE best!
    Concatss to Roxie for winnin tho'! An wee adoor Riley inn her Lion costume two!
    Lookss like a furabuluss day was had bye all….
    ~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{huggiess}} BellaSita Mum

    1. You’re too kind. It could have been bigger, that’s for sure. Next year, Mum will have a better idea and {hopefully} not make the same mistake. 😉

    1. Thanks, Bruce. They always use that song to begin the parade and everyone claps and cheers as we stroll down the midway. It’s fun to seer little peeps whooping and hollering “woof, woof” with the music.

    1. Aww, thanks, you’re too kind. Next time, hopefully the costumes will actually ‘fit.’ 😂

  2. Norman, never, ever, let your Mom buy you clothes..well, at least not without her taking you with her! We heard that Mom has a nasty clothes surprise for one of us shorter ones this Halloween…grrrrr. XOX Xena, Chia, Lucy and Riley

    1. It was long enough, just not quite big enough around my neck. But not even a short dog could fit their paws in those arm holes. Waaay too tiny. 😕

        1. I don’t even think a chihuahua could have fit in those sleeves. Weirdest fit ever. Mum kept wondering who the model was when they made THAT pattern. 😬

  3. Norman,

    You are a lover, no time for fighting. I get it and I applaud your ability to rise about the Rottie who wants more tricks than treats. You keep doing what you’re doing, because you do it so very well. And yes, make sure Mum brings you costume shopping next year. Maybe the fitting room lady has treats!

  4. You’re so handsome, Norman and your mom is most beautiful. I wish I were near as I would have shown up to love on you.

    I linked this post to Happy Tuesday.

    Have a fabulous day. Scritches all around, a smooch to you and a big hug to mom. ♥

    1. You’re too kind, Miss Sandee. We’d love to have you attend one of our fun events. 💙

    1. He actually did but no fur was lost. Mum and I are both pacifists and know how to avoid those who are rude. 😇

    1. As a stereotypically proper British dog, I bit my tongue. Mum knows I can hold my own but there’s no need poking the bear, eh?
      Your fur-iend,
      Norman 🐾

  5. What a fun event. Sorry that the Rotti wasn’t into you. His loss for sure. Love the costumes. All of them. Mom looks good and so does the butterfly couple. Looks like a very nice day too.

    1. It was funny since we’d walked past him a couple of times before he got cranky. Oh well, no harm, no foul. But the snarling noise…took everyone by surprise.

    1. We know you guys would add some real fun to an event like that and know you’d dance down the center in ‘pawfect’ step with the muzak! 😊

  6. Norman that looks like it was sooooooooo much fun!! OMD you and your Mom look darling in your costumes!! I LOVE your Mom’s costume sooo much!!! What an incredibly fun time!!!

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