Bark in the Park leaves many a tail wagging

Saturday's Bark in the Park and Music for Mutts performed for the lost, abandoned, and abused animals at the Corning Animal Shelter, was a successful event. The day turned out perfect for sitting in the park and listening to music, grabbing a snack, getting information about Second Chance Pet Rescue and the Corning Animal Shelter, and having the winning tickets to great raffle prizes. 

The only thing missing was Truly, the dog found starving and sick abandoned in a house, who is still too medically compromised to attend.

Music was provided by One Night Only and featured the Blacketter Brothers Band from Red Bluff.  The bands played a great mix of oldies, blues and original compositions. Prizes were given each hour to the kids who came up with the Best Dog Names. 

Debbie Eaglebarger, resident Corning animal shelter caretaker and founder of Second Chance Pet Rescue talked about the shelter, what happens when a dog gets picked up by the Corning Police Department, who to call, and the importance of having identification on your pet at all times. 

Sunny, the first Pit Bull ambassador of the Pit Bull Promonade Showcase at the Corning Animal Shelter was the ‘Cher' of the show, walking with Eaglebarger up to the microphone, each time wearing a different costume, although the young dog did decline to sing.

"Sunny loved the attention she received from all the children who came by to pet her," Eaglebarger said. "Sunny also preformed a Canine Good Citizen demonstration with the help of Pat Panko, shelter volunteer and showed off her trick of balancing a biscuit on her nose, not moving to eat it until given the ok."

Officer Jeremiah Fears of the Corning Police Department brought K-9 Officer Oso, a well-trained German Shepherd who is the newest member of the police department. Saturday was the partnership's  first day on the job as a team after completing 16 weeks of official  police dog training. Officer Fears and Oso gave a very impressive demonstration on police dog handling.

Judy Plympton of Shasta Lake brought Asia, an exotic chocolate Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who Plympton adopted from the Corning Animal Shelter. Asia had already passed her Canine Good Citizen test and wore a bright red "Service Dog in Training" vest. Asia can now accompany Judy into WalMart and all the other places that service dogs are allowed in.

Butte Community Bank, Annie's Garden, Starbucks, and Dot Linnet, donated items for the raffle. All proceeds of the day went to Second Chance Pet Rescue for the medical care, training and  toys needed for the dogs at the Corning Animal Shelter. The Bark in the Park event celebrated six years that Second Chance Pet Rescue has been working at the Corning Animal Shelter. Eaglebarger and all her volunteers said they hope the Bark in the Park, Music for Mutts will be an annual event.

Second Chance is a non-profit organization. For more information on Second Chance Pet Rescue contact Debbie Eaglebarger at 824-1985.