ASHLAND — The sounds of sniffing and panting filled the air at The Inn at Ashland Woods’ first Mutt Strut Wednesday, where dogs of all shapes and sizes showed their stuff and socialized.
Around 100 people and a few dozen dogs (plus one feline infiltrator in a backpack) showed up to the event to mingle and peruse the Mutt Strut’s offerings.
The Inn at Ashland Wood is a senior assisted living facility. Organizers put on the event to reintroduce the community to the facility, Director of Sales and event organizer Nikki Evans said.
“We talked about it and we strategically, we get people who walk their dogs back here and also walk through here so we thought, ‘Why not have a dog event?’ ” Evans said.
For people, the event included raffles, corn hole, shopping, free hot dogs, and a best-dressed dog competition while four-legged attendees received attention, petting, water, and plenty of treats.
It was a David-and-Goliath story for the best-dressed dog competition. Zoe, a small Morkie adorned with a bandana, shirt, and cardboard guitar, took on Theo, a 170-pound English Mastiff wearing a red t-shirt.
The competition’s judges, Inn residents Judy and Doris, couldn’t decide on a winner. No Pawz Left Behind President Michelle Sviatko stepped in and broke the tie, selecting Zoe, who she nicknamed “Nashville,” as the winner.
The reward for Zoe’s fashion excellence was a dog-themed gift basket, which went to her owners.
All proceeds from the event went to No Pawz Left Behind, a local non-profit that supports the Ashland County Dog Shelter. While No Pawz is receiving the proceeds, credit for the event should go toward The Inn, Sviatko said.
“They put everything together, got the event going, got the vendors, got the raffle baskets, and we’re just here,” she said.
