Duke: A Dog-Gone Cute Story

Every dog that comes to Hot Diggity Dog Day is a special guest deserving of all the fun and attention they can get. They arrive in all shapes and sizes, colors, with long or short tails, breeds we recognize and others we wonder about. 

Over the past two years of Hot Diggity Day, we've welcomed, greeted, petted, hugged, gushed over, even kissed (hey, we're dog lovers!) lots of dogs.

But in 2019, one guest left us with a story we share often because it's a powerful testimonial for how the event makes man's best friend feel.

A big, lanky, furry mix, Duke, in dog years is a middle schooler: still sweet, all arms and legs, enthusiastic and good-natured. He also finds himself in trouble now and then. He never has to beg forgiveness because he's still more puppy than dog.

Duke came to Hot Diggity Dog Day to play, swim, lick and sniff, and wag the day away. His people even put a crown on his head and for a few short seconds, Duke became a "king" in the Kingston of Vermilion photo booth. After about an hour and half of pure doggie joy, his owners walked him home, about 2 blocks from the event site. Duke was probably ready for a nap.

Except he wasn't.

Duke's owners left to run some errands leaving him behind a latched door. Not tired and definitely not done with Hot Diggity Dog Day, Duke broke through the door and headed back to the event grounds where he stood in the middle of the things deciding what to do next. A neighbor recognized Duke and scanned the crowd for his owners. Quickly realizing he was solo, the neighbor put him on a leash and called the owners who returned to take Duke home. Again.

We loved this story because it's true and a good testimonial for Hot Diggity Dog Day. No human could speak any better to this event. Thanks, Duke. See you on September 18, 2021 for the 3rd Annual Hot Diggity Dog Day. (Be sure to bring your owners.)   

"...of all the sights I love in this world — and there are plenty — very near the top of the list is this one: dogs without leashes.” Mary Oliver, author of Dog Songs