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Published on 05/11/1998 All articles from this issue

Parade rains cats and dogs

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Overcast weather didn't cloud spirits of marchers in 51st annual pet promenade

Not even the foreboding rain clouds could stop pets and their owners from swarming Main and State streets in Los Altos last Saturday for the city's 51st annual Kiwanis Pet Parade.

Dogs arrived in droves, wearing bandannas, chicken suits and bows. One dachshund even came dressed for the occasion in a hot dog bun.

There were horses, ponies, parakeets and cats, snakes, goats, a lizard and a rat - and a box with a turtle named Emma.

Sponsored by the Los Altos Kiwanis Club since 1947 as part of the town's Mayfest celebration, the parade has become known throughout the greater Bay Area for attracting a wide display of pets. Walter Chronert, official parade announcer, said he has seen generations of families participate in the annual tradition during the past 24 years that he has been involved with the event.

"It's grown every year," he said. "This is probably the only parade that has more participants than spectators."

Parade officials estimated that about 2,000 pets and people marched in the parade.

Some parade-goers come to share the annual tradition with their children.

Just ask Steve Whalen, who drove from Santa Clara so his 2-year-old daughter Cora could march in the parade with her dog Shelby and her pet chicken, Sarafina, which she got last year for Easter.

Whalen said he grew up in the Los Altos area where the pet parade became a part of his childhood.

"This is a good thing for kids," he said.

When asked about how he ended up with a chicken for a pet, he said, "Why not? A chicken seemed like fun."

Nearby, 5-year-old Sarah Stevens of Los Altos was calming her cat Chui, which means "leopard' in Swahili. This was the second time Sarah had marched in the parade. Wearing fuzzy ears and a long black tail to match her feline pal, the Loyola School kindergartner offered Chui some advice.

"Stay away from dogs," she said.

For others, the parade was about building awareness and saving animals' lives. Los Altos resident Pat Simmons, a volunteer member for "Greyhound Friends for Life," a nonprofit organization that rescues about 25,000 dogs a year from racing, marched with about 40 greyhounds. She wanted to alert the public to the destruction of racing dogs after they are retired from the track.

Simmons said she participates in public events nearly every weekend to raise public awareness about the issue. This is the fourth time she has marched with the organization in the Pet Parade, she said.

Still others at the event were lured by parade folklore, generated over the years.

"I had to see if what I had heard is true," said Lois Ballock who came from Walnut Creek to camp out at 9 a.m. on Main Street with her daughter and grandchildren who live in Los Altos.

"Next year we're going to get a dog and walk in it," she said.

Following the Pet Parade was the annual Pet Parade contest sponsored by the Town Crier and held in the Community Plaza at State and Main streets.

Four pets and their owners received prizes for best overall, most creative or unusual and look-alike.

First place for best overall, a $100 gift certificate from Adobe Animal Hospital of Los Altos, went to the "Animal Crackers" entry, which featured pets, Timmy the Turtle, Ebony the rabbit, Pumpkin the guinea pig and Melony the chicken, owned by Lauren Moison, Marissa Acala, Claire Pullen, Ali Blasing, Anne Roberts and Hillary Paine.

Second place for best overall, a $30 gift certificate from the Barking Lot pet grooming, went to "The Statue of Lizardy," created by Talia Recht and her lizard, Lizzy.

Most creative or unusual prize, a $50 gift certificate from Miramonte Veterinary Hospital of Mountain View, was awarded to Buddy the Wiener Dog and his owners, Keith and Susan Gutierrez.

Best look-alike prize, a $75 gift certificate from Altos Animal Hospital of Los Altos, went to a group of dogs and chickens owned by Alyse and Lourel Rutherford and Cheryl Herman.

Pet Parade judges, in addition to Town Crier staff, included Conrad Heintzelman.