Two paws up for Downtown Stratford BIA’s third annual Dog Days of Summer

Tarry Garcia and Nova Knight, Downtown Stratford BIA general manager Jamie Pritchard’s beloved companions.

Market Square was filled with lots of tail-wagging fun for Stratford’s furriest residents.

The Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) held their Dog Days of Summer event on June 5 in Market Square. There were prizes awarded to the smilliest dog, most unusual trick, most like their owner, among other categories in the third-annual Dog Days Dog Show. Attendees could also learn more about pet forward organizations and businesses like the Barkery, Stratford Dog Walkers, Pawsitive Difference Professional Pet Care, and the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth.

“To have so many wonderful pets out of all sizes, of all shapes, I mean, that's why we do this,” said general manager Jamie Pritchard, who brought his own dogs, keeshonds Nova Knight and Tarry Garcia to the event. “This isn't the professional dog show. It's the fun family dog show and that's who we get out and it's just an amazing afternoon."

Downtown Stratford Sniffari Maps were available to pick up. The Sniffari Map has a list of places for dogs to sniff around the downtown core, such as Shakespearean Gardens, Studio Theatre Garden, Armories Garden, and the mulch in front of the corner of the Alley Cat Café.

The Downtown Stratford BIA has a list of businesses where dogs are welcome in the store, as well as restaurants that allow dogs on the outdoor dining areas and/or offer treats for the dogs.

"Many of the patios downtown allow dogs on them, so you can come down and have dinner with your dogs or just stop for a drink. Just get out there and enjoy it,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard added that the Dog Days of Summer campaign’s mandate showcases how Stratford is a pet-friendly city for residents and tourists alike.

"When tourists come, a lot of them travel with their animals and it allows them to take them with them and just really enjoy our time there,” he said. “It's part of our initiative to make sure we're more welcoming and we include our four-legged furry friends with that."

All pet-friendly Downtown Stratford businesses can be found online by visiting https://downtownstratford.ca.