Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Westport Police Department Corporal James Loomer (left) introduced Westport’s Finest K-9s once again at this year’s Westport Dog Festival. The K9 Unit demonstration is the highlight of the event and spectators line the perimeter of the demonstration area to watch the officers show the exceptional skills of their K9 partners. Corporal Loomer spoke at length on the actions of the unit in their mission to protect and serve Westport and the surrounding area, as they often respond to requests for assistance from other area police departments.

At right, Corporal Dave Scinto and his partner K9 Grizz, a German Shepherd from the Czech Republic, where many police K9’s are raised and trained, show the strength and ferocity which makes these K9s a formidable tool to police departments here and the world over.

Above, Officer Ryan Kardamis dons the protective garments used in training as he takes on the role of decoy as he is “attacked” multiple times by K9 Brutte, a Belgian Malinois. Officer Kardamis is new to Westport PD, serving the department for about a year and a half. K9 Brutte is a certified patrol and narcotics detection K9, as is Scinto’s dog Grizz. Corporal Loomer actually has a second dog, K9 Ambo who is certified in explosive detection.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

After performing in the demonstration, Corporal Scinto rewards K9 Grizz with his favorite ball. Part of the dog’s training consists of playtime with the ball after completing tasks. The ball is really the only reward the dog looks forward to after performing his duties.

Above left, Corporal Loomer has his dog’s attention fixated on the ball, waiting for a chance to chase it. Corporal Scinto demonstrates the tenacity of his dog who will not let go of the protective sleeve until commanded to do so. Grizz happily claims his prize after wrestling the sleeve away from Scinto.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Most of the folks attending the event found their way to the K9 demonstrations. Spectators in the audience engaged in a Q&A session with corporal Loomer while waiting for the demonstration to begin. Several of the spectators were of the four legged kind, including the German Shepherd above, who looks like he’d be ready to join the force and get into the action.

Westport's Annual Dog Festival Brings Lots Of Fun For Dog Lovers

Westport's annual Dog Festival returned to Winslow Park on Sunday and drew more than 2,500 visitors and more than 700 dogs. There was every kind of dog imaginable and they and their humans enjoyed a variety of activities including competitions like Best Kisser and Best Lap Dog Over 50 pounds. Visitors saw the wonderful pets available through pet adoption specialists including Adopt-A-Dog in Armonk, NY, one of the areas most active shelters.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

These three beautiful snow-white Samoyeds, including the young puppy at right drew lots of attention and got lots of love from the festival visitors. Originally bred in Siberia, the Samoyed is a herding dog with a thick, white, double-layered coat.

Above, these two English Bulldogs a very distinctive breed with a very devoted following were fascinated by the long haired Chihuahua they spotted when he hopped out of his doggie-stroller. Next is a very rare Tibetan Spaniel a breed which we have never seen before, and the very fluffy Pomeranian. Last, the wonderful Basset Hound seemed very interested in posing for a photo.

Photos are available, contact the photographer, J.C. Martin at: admanjcm@yahoo.com

One new organization at this year's event was Open Road Rescues, INC. is a new nonprofit that transports animals at heavily discounted or free rates from shelters often saving them from the euthanasia list and bringing them to their foster or furever homes. They travel nationwide and assist rescue organizations in finding fosters and adopters due to their high number of followers on social media. From left to right is Samantha, Aubrey, owner Kristy Kokolakis, and Sondra Psomas.

Also represented at the event as always was the CT Humane Society, which will be opening a new facility soon which will be featured in Westport Local Press later this month. A volunteer is pictured here along with staffers Jarred Barnes and Kayleigh Shettleworth.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

More than 30 vendors offered everything the discerning pet owner must have, including Westport's Earth Animal which donated a portion of their sales to the Westport Police Department K-9 Unit which helps them pay for training and even bullet/knife resistant vests for their K-9's. A stroller came in handy when this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, one of the sweetest and most loving breed had enough trekking through the park. Volunteers from T.A.I.L.S., The Alliance In Limiting Strays offered lots of sheik and stylish apparel and accessories to raise funds for their volunteer run organization which saves hundred of cats each year.

Sme of The fabled North Shore Animal League on Long Island, acknowledged to be the largest no-kill animal shelter in the world brings their animal adoption bus to Westport every year to help T.A.I.L.S. show and take adoption applications for multiple beautiful cats and kittens to hep find their forever homes. Some of those available for adoption are pictured above.

Some of those available for adoption are pictured above. More can be seen at: TailsCT.org

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

No Obstacle Course This Year, But They Did Get In A Good Run.

In past years one of the spectators favorite attractions was the doggie obstacle course, where dogs would run through a fenced course where they had to jump over hurdles, through a tunnel or other impediments as they chased a cloth lure through the course. (see Westport Local: Good Boy and Celebrates Canines to see how it was done in years past.

The lure travels at high speed and is almost impossible to catch. Spectators lined the course to enjoy all the action and athleticism of the canine competitors. Owners could purchase action photos of their pup as they scrambled after the lure.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

For some reason, although it was clearly advertised on the website for the event, there was no obstacle course, only a run around in a circle. The dogs and the owners who paid $10. or $15. for one or two runs according to the sign at the entry enjoyed it, but few watched for the most part. Pictured here are some of the canine athletes in action.