What started as a rainy Sunday afternoon in St Andrew turned into a family-filled day of fun for dog owners and their furry companions, as Happy Tails hosted its doggie social, Yappy Hour, at the Jamaica Horticultural Society. While the focus remained on bringing Jamaica’s dog-loving community together, pet care and engaging activities were also high on the list, giving pet owners the comfort to bring their dogs out for safe, enjoyable social interaction.
The first stop Saturday Living made was at the True Pet dog park and agility course, designed for dogs of all sizes. We followed the tails of Pomeranians Athena and Lord Carlrossi, guided by their dog dad, Omielo Walker, as they dove into a colourful ball pit before making their way up and down the A-frame.
Walker, no stranger to bringing his dogs to socials of this kind, shared that he keeps coming back simply because it’s fun. He also noted that his dog, Lord Carlrossi, is a champion pup of the Jamaica Kennel Club. “Plus it’s a way to get them out of the house and socialise with other dogs,” he added.
Chiming in after taking a break from playing with her Chihuahua, Kat, Vanessa McDowell said that, as a returning attendee, she appreciates pet-friendly events like these, noting that there aren’t many of them in Jamaica.
Speaking on the turnout for this staging, Melissa Esliger of Happy Tails expressed both relief and gratitude. She explained that the event had been delayed by about an hour because of rain, and the team had been concerned about disappointing attendees who were eagerly anticipating the day.
“We were incredibly grateful that it (the rain) passed and people still showed up, ready to enjoy the experience. It really spoke to the loyalty of our community. People just wanted to be there, and that level of support we do not take for granted,” she added, noting that the next staging of the event will be later this year at a date to be announced.
PET CARE, GROOMING
While the event was centred on entertainment and community connection, Yappy Hour also provided attendees with an opportunity to learn more about pet care. Participants were able to consult with veterinarian Dr Sasha Halsall, who is also the owner of Halli, a plant-based pet products line.
Speaking with Saturday Living, Halsall explained the importance of keeping dogs’ ears clean.
“Dogs that have floppy ears, dogs that go to the beach or swim a lot, they get a lot of moisture into the ears. We’d rather have them get their ears cleaned a bit more often, as the moisture can lead to infection. So, whenever they get a bath, that’s a good time to get the ears cleaned,” she said.
Dogs are not bathed daily, with bathing typically done every few weeks, depending on their breed, coat type, and lifestyle.
On another note, Halsall advised against using alcohol or peroxide, sharing that these can be very irritating to the ears. She further highlighted Halli’s plant-based ear cleaner, formulated with ingredients such as coconut oil and aloe leaf juice, which is designed for routine ear hygiene in dogs with sensitive ears.
Offering quick nail trims and grinding services for pups at $1,000, with all proceeds going toward local charities, vet tech and mobile groomer Deja Gordon of Deja’s Grooming Services, alongside her furry client Bella, shared a few grooming tips.
She explained that it’s best to comb and detangle a dog’s coat before bathing, and again after washing, and then blow-dry to keep the coat tangle-free. When bathing, she also advised keeping the ear flaps down to prevent water from entering the ears. On nail care, Gordon noted that, for those using clippers, it’s best to trim where the nail begins to curve. “That way it prevents [you] from clipping the quick, which is the blood vessel within the nail that will cause it to bleed, and then your dog will associate nail clipping with a bad experience,” Gordon added.
Tutus, sweaters, pyjamas, dresses, and even coloured fur made the rounds on many of the dogs, who were later spotted on the makeshift runway for the curtain-call doggie costume contest. In the end, an energetic Shih-Pom named William, dressed in red and white, took top applause from the crowd, with his owner, Danielle McCalla, chief creative officer at DCM Media, collecting a Fontana gift basket as the winning prize.
rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com
