Summer of 2016 Gets Off to a GREAT start at LI-DOG
Pints-n-Paws™ Luau!
By Sam Desmond, LI-DOG Contributing Writer
Samantha@DesmondWCG.com
Chupa Feeling the Luau Vibe Photo Credit: Joann Garguola
The dog days of summer got off to a festive start at the LI-DOG Pints-n-Paws™ Luau at Off-Key Tikki on Sunday, June 12th. LI-DOG welcomed more than 90 people and their pups on Off-Key Tikki’s spacious courtyard and marina-side sand beach for an afternoon of cold drinks, barbecue fare, music, contests, raffles, and a beautiful bay breeze off the water in Patchogue.
Saylor Preps for Lap Dog Contest
Photo Credit: Joann Garguola
Our contests–Doggie Style Musical Chairs, Doggie and Me Margaritaville Costume Contest, Biggest Lap Dog, and Silliest Dog Trick–had some fierce competition as fur babies of all sizes—from tea cup to terrier to tremendous—participated. Thanks to our outstanding team of judges: Gerrie Cannastra, Sean Desmond, Rob Giglio of K9 Kingdom Dog Training and Heidi Walker of Yorkie911 Rescue.
With over a dozen graciously-donated baskets raffled off and plenty of door prizes, lots of pooches had some extra toys to take home after spending a sunny day with their human and dog friends. Great thanks and much appreciation to all our raffle basket sponsors: Alliegene Personalized Designs, Dazzling Paws Jewelry, Henry Schein, K-9 Kingdom Dog Training, Laura Pea Photography, Pamper Ur Poochie Parlor, PetArmor, Sergeant’s, and ThunderShirt plus Cloud Star Treats, Earth Rated Poop Bags, Fluff & Tuff Plush Dog Toys, Jones Natural Chews, Petrageous Designs, Stella & Chewy’s, Viewpoint Photography and Wheatley Hills Discount Wine.
Plua, a special thanks to our generous host, Off Key Tikki Waterside Bar and Grill, for providing the BBQ and making the event as bright as the weather!
A BIG thank you! to our wonderful MC and Announcer Mike Kaplow who kept our guests entertained and the canine-appropriate music coming even when the band took a break.
Pineapple Palm Trees
Thanks to our photographers, Laura Paesano of Laura Pea Photography and our colleague Joann Garguolo, for their great shots of dogs and people. Check out their photos and lots of others on the LI-DOG Meetup Group and the LI-DOG Facebook Group. Thanks also to Joann for making the amazing pineapple palm tree display!
Photo Credit: Laura Pea Photography
Our Luau would not have been as successful and fun without LI-DOG’s amazing event organizer Irene Rabinowitz, a crew of great volunteers including Lynn Kay Kosefsky, Donna Lowe, Susan Mahlstedt, Debbie and Joanna Mudaro, Barbara Striegel, and Suely Vera plus the invaluable help of LI-DOG Board members Barbara Buscareno, Liz Haban, Peggy Heijmen and Chris Laubis.
Thanks to everyone who came and contributed to making this a great event!