By Caitlyn Maltese
Elm Staff Writer
This weekend, The Humane Society of Kent County sponsored the 2015 Mutt Strut. On Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants paid $10 to register their dog for the event. Prior to the event, a total of 75 dogs were preregistered. Registration included a goody bag filled with a bandana for your pet, water, poop bags, coupons to local stores, and more.
The proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society and their shelter animals. Events throughout the day included a variety of doggie games such as a dog limbo, a jumping contest, a pet/owner look a-like contest, a costume contest, and a musical sit game on the courthouse’s lawn. Coco’s Pet Center, a local pet store on High Street, donated prizes. Winners of the contest were awarded trophies.
Throughout the day, volunteers (including members of Washington College’s Animal Impact club) socialized some of the Humane Society’s resident dogs. Approximately nine of the 13 pups were present at the Mutt Strut. The group hoped the event would provide the opportunity to get some of the dogs adopted.
During the jumping contest, black lab Ella wowed the crowd. Ella jumped heights that other dogs shied away from and was advanced enough to jump back over the pole to return to her owners Tom and Nancy DiAngelo, parents of alumna Mary DiAngelo, class of 2010.
Ella was brought by the couple who said that when their daughter left for college, Ella found a home with them. Though the family is from Cecil County, the DiAngelos still enjoy coming out to Chestertown to partake in the local community where their daughter went to school.
Tom DiAngelo joked that they replaced their daughter with Ella when Mary left for college. “She even took over her room and her bed,” he said.
According to Nancy DiAngelo, Ella is a “natural jumper.” It is possible that it was the height of Mary’s bed that caused the family to note Ella’s proclivity for jumping
Now, Ella is no stranger to jumping contests. She has participated in the Mutt Strut event in previous years and has also taken part in local dock diving competitions.
Before the event, Ella socialized with Kai, an American staffordshire terrier mix. Kai has been at the shelter for a couple months now and is looking for a home.
Amber Yates, president of Animal Impact, said that sometimes Kai can be a little shy. However, today marked a big day for Kai when he made a new friend.
If you’re interested in finding a mutt of your own go to: www.kenthumane.com/adopt-a-pet/