Dogs rule the day at annual Woofstock fundraiser (+video)

Dogs can do more than just pant, bark and sleep.

Thousands of Wichita-area dogs proved on Saturday that they also can also run fast, pose politely, display good canine citizenship – even tell fortunes and sell kisses for pocket change.

Saturday was the 19th annual Woofstock, the Kansas Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It always draws around 10,000 to Sedgwick County Park, where people peruse merchandise from pet-friendly vendors and listen to live music while the pets sniff each other, compete in agility and speed contests, take part in costume competitions, play doggie musical chairs, pose for photos and sniff each other some more.

Early October weather can be unpredictable in Kansas, and many years Woofstock temperatures are sweaty, frigid or damp. Saturday’s weather, though, was just the right mix of sunny and cool, and crowds formed early. The park was packed with big dogs, small dogs, purebreds and mutts. There were pugs, poodles and Pomeranians. Boxers, beagles and border collies. St. Bernards, Siberian huskies and shih tzus.

The day belonged to the dogs, and many people were spoiling their canine family members. Erin Laughlin and her mom, Judy Caskey, carried Laughlin’s 7-year-old, 3-pound Chihuahua, Paige, from booth to booth. Paige was wrapped in a pink blanket and shivering with either excitement or trepidation.

Paige’s people bought her a bunch of doggy treats from a booth selling snacks shaped like waffles, enchiladas and tacos. Her Woofstock take included a package of “muttloaf.”

Laughlin said she’s been bringing Paige, aka “stink baby,” to Woofstock since she was a puppy and looks forward to the chance to indulge her.

“I don’t have any kids,” Laughlin said. “She’s pretty much my whole life.”

This year’s Woofstock filled the park with more than 100 vendors, said Melissa Houston, who’s in charge of communications for the Kansas Humane Society.

Booths set up throughout the park were assigned to pet stores, rescue groups and veterinarians’ offices. People could gather information on microchips, boarding businesses and training classes. They could buy dog toys, dog clothes – even beer steins decorated with their breed of choice.

They also could buy kisses.

Wichita Pug Rescue’s booth included a baby crib that held Bernie, who was ready to pucker up. For 50 cents, people could purchase a kiss from Bernie, who happily licked any face that got close enough.

Nearby, rescue director Darryl Russell was handling Zelda the Pug Fortune Teller. Zelda was portrayed by Sarge, whose tongue hung out and whose turban tilted as he waited to tell visitors their futures.

One stopped to ask Zelda if she’d ever get another pug.

Russell, also dressed as a fortune teller, put her ear close to the pug, listened carefully, then reported the answer.

“The spirits are very positive about this,” Russell said, faking a Russian accent. “Especially if you choose a rescue.”

Russell said the pug rescue never misses a Woofstock. The event gives volunteers a chance to educate people about pugs, rescue dogs and puppy mills. And each year, several of their rescue dogs on display end up with new homes after Woofstock.

The rescue also raises about $500, which helps.

“That’s five dogs who I can get spayed and get shots for,” Russell said.

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Dogs rule the day at annual Woofstock fundraiser (+video)."