By Callum Ludwig
Warratina Lavender Farm will once again host a special day out for our four legged friends after the success of the inaugural Dog Day event earlier in March.
The idea was born from a pet photographer wanting to use the lavender fields for a shoot, and clearly, many puppy parents felt the same!
Founder of Warratina Lavender Farm Annemarie Manders said there were a couple of teething issues, but 95 per cent of the first Dog Day was fantastic.
“It was a massive success, we just need to resolve a couple of things, such as bringing in a second coffee cart and more takeaway food,” she said.
“There are two main attractions this time, an agility demonstration and a dog obedience demonstration, where the really well-trained dogs will show just how well-behaved dogs can be.”
The event will also have 21 stalls where visitors can purchase doggy delights, professional photo shoots, vet and physio checks and a groomer on site offering mini grooming sessions.
Ms Manders said there are also dog competitions for anyone to enter.
“It’s not super professional like the Royal Melbourne Show or anything, it’s just a bit of fun where people can show what their dogs can do. Everybody last time loved it,” she said.
“We had dogs of every breed from little Chihuahuas to Great Danes and St Bernards, Huskies to little Sausage Dogs, and they all behaved themselves. It was gorgeous.”
The competitions for Best in Show and Best Dressed will run in both morning and afternoon sessions, from 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm.. Dog owners will have to register their dogs in the competitions at the fields at 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock. All dogs must be kept on a short leash throughout the event.
Ms Manders said people love their dogs and want to look after them and this is one way they can.
“They want to be able to take them for a walk, enjoy the outside climate as the dog does some exercise and by doing so the dog is helping the owner by forcing them to go for a walk as well. Then there are all the other responsibilities with feeding and grooming as well,” she said.
“For the people who come there’s a bonding between the owner and the dog as well as the opportunity for dogs to meet other dogs and socialising, which is fantastic.”
Tickets for adults are $10, with kids 11 and under and dogs entering free. Tickets can be purchased here: www.warratinalavender.com.au/dog-day?fbclid=IwAR2GZnJ_Ix6NOTNOxoAXPnktUQsOYVEvzJs7r1Mr0dv6Bq17tJpqdGUDIRM
