On Saturday May 15, the Los Altos Kiwanis Club held their 63rd annual Pet Parade down Main Street in Los Altos, California.
The Kiwanis Club International is a global organization of volunteers of every age who are dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.
The Los Altos Kiwanis Club has been organizing the Pet Parade since 1948. Every year this beloved community tradition attracts thousands of people, hundreds of families, and hundreds of dogs and various other pets to participate and watch.
Marching in the parade were all kinds of dogs, some wearing costumes, while others sported dresses, t-shirts, bandanas and even pink tutus. Puppies and small dogs traveled in wagons, and some even had miniature doggie floats to make a grand show during the march.
The Los Altos Kiwanis Club members contribute many hours of community service each year and raise funds to support their efforts through donations and their yearly Christmas Tree sales.
Each year they put on the Pet Parade to bring together families and children within the community. “Seeing the families together and enjoying the event is the best part of Pet Parade,” says Dr. Charmaine Tu, a Los Altos Kiwanis Club member, organizer and MC for the Pet Parade. She is also the owner of Guinness, a chocolate lab who is the official Mascot of the Los Altos Pet Parade.
Dogs, children and adults weren’t the only ones participating in the Pet Parade. There were horses, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, mice, hamsters, hermit crabs, lizards, bearded dragons, parrots, macaws, box turtles, worms, and even garden snails all marching in the parade. “Kids will bring any animal they can find just to participate,” says Dr. Tu who marveled at the boy with the snails. When asked what her favorite pet in the parade was she said “The dachshunds in the hot dog outfits! I look for them every year.”
For more information about the Los Altos Kiwanis Club or to become a member please visit www.losaltoskiwanis.org. To find a Kiwanis Club in your area please visit sites.kiwanis.org.
Meet Cosmo and Mister, six year old Shih Tzu brothers who are two peas in a pod. Born on the same day by different mothers, Cosmo and Mister share daddy DNA, and the same neighborhood. They live next door to each other and spend every day hanging out together, snuggling at nap time, and parading together during walks. If apart too long they whine to be reunited, then adorn each other in puppy kisses once together again. 
Cosmo is the brother with attitude! He likes to show the ‘people’ world that he is top dog and demands lap time, attention, and being carried up and down the stairs. 
and they require daily walks, and daily grooming. The Shih Tzu can gain weight easily, so overfeeding should be avoided. They are prone to eye infections, early tooth loss, and are sensitive to heat, due to their short muzzles. 
If your dog already wears doggie diapers use them to make this baby look complete, don’t use real baby diapers on your dog because that’s just wrong. Pin a Pacifier to the bib, or use a ribbon to tie it to the collar, this is just a prop so monitor your dog so the pacifier doesn’t become a chew toy. Use a cute little hair clip to finish off the look and your Baby Barker is ready to be babied!
Feeling lazy when it’s time to scoop the poop? Well, whip out the energy drinks because that lackadaisical attitude can get you one hefty fine from the Police!
Some cities issue over 1,000 fines per year, and they are kicking up their poop patrol because of so many complaints. Sounds crazy? Countries around the world use dog DNA testing to match poop with their owners. Offenders get a fine in the mail – try and get out of that ticket!
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