Long Grove site of best-dressed dog show

For two weeks in a row there will be best dressed dogs competition in Long Grove. This Sunday will be Mardi Paws Parade held in conjunction with the Arts and Music Council's last concert of the season and sponsored by Skycrest Animal Clinic to celebrate the clinic's 40 years in the community. Dogs will be in Mardi Gras attire for the parade being held during the concert's intermission. Concert hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Although the concert is free, entry for the dog parade is $10 with proceeds going to the Arts and Music Council. Veterinarian Dr. Kristin Wojcik and her staff will choose the best dressed to be king and queen. Entry forms are available in most Long Grove shops, especially in the shops adjacent to Towner Green, where the concerts are held, or stop at Skycrest, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, by Friday.

If you plan to be there, don't forget to bring a blanket for the lawn or a lawn chair in order to enjoy the "Good Bayou" to the Dog Days of Summer, the dog parade and the Louisiana Party Music.

Next week, Irish Days will sponsor competition for the Best "Irish" Dog. This has to do with costumes; all dogs are Irish on Irish Days weekend in Long Grove, Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1. Prizes will be given for king, queen, prince and princess each of the three days, according to gender and age. You can preregister at The Dog House, 405 Robert Parker Coffin Road, or at least an hour before the judging that day. Judging will begin at 2 p.m. each day at The Dog House. At 3:20 p.m. each day the winners will be on stage in the Fountain Square area. Of interest is the fact that the judges will be 10 and 11-year-old girls and boys. For more information, call The Dog House at (847) 634-3060 or John at Paddy's at (847) 634-0210.

Dogs will also be on the agenda for Buffalo Grove Days when Grove Animal Hospital will sponsor the 26th Annual Dog Show on Aug. 30. It will start at 11 a.m. at Willow Stream Park North with sign-in at the pool entrance. This is for dogs of all ages and no fees or preregistration for the numerous activity groups. Included will be prizes and raffles.

Shih Tzu Meeting: Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club's next meeting will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton, at Euclid. For more information about the program or the club in general, call Diane at (847) 438-7077.

New Classes: Leash and Collar Dog Training, 238 Saunders Road in Riverwoods, has a post-basic obedience class (intermediate obedience) starting at 8:45 p.m. on Sept. 4 and a puppy class at 6:30 p.m. and Basic Obedience at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 10. Call (847) 945-4544 for more information or to register.

The German Shepherd Dog Training Club of Chicago will have new classes starting Sept. 5. For information on specific classes, fees and registration, call Arlene at (630) 852-6129. These are held in the clubhouse at 4925 County Farm Road in Hanover Park.

Northwest Obedience Club will start new class sessions the week of Sept. 8. Day and time depend on class level. Call Shari at (847) 639-2952 or go to rottenmom2@yahoo.com to designate your class level and to register. The classes are held in the training center at 735 Industrial Drive in Cary.

River Trails Park District in Mount Prospect will start fall class sessions on Sept. 9 at 7:15 p.m. with Tricks and Treats in which there is some basic agility and handlers learn about proper nutrition. Homemade treats are also included. Basic Obedience starts at 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 10. These classes are for dogs of all ages and are held at 550 Business Center Drive. For more information and/or to register, go to www.rtpd.org or call the park district at (847) 255-1200. You can also call Joanne at (847) 208-8583 or go to Joanne@eskieconnection.com.

At Alcott Center: Puppy, socializing and obedience classes will start Sept. 5 at Buffalo Grove's Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive. To register or for more information, stop at Alcott Center, call (847) 850-2100 or e-mail the center at ParkDistrict@bgpks.org.

Also at Alcott Center, for dog owners only, are several classes on problem solving. These are without dogs. The first will be Sept. 7. all Chris at (847) 850-2123 for more information.