Canines spend quality time at Cantigny's Dog Days event

Hundreds of dogs and their two-legged companions got to spent some quality time together Saturday during Cantigny Park's Dog Days event.

Barney, a Bichon Frise from Carol Stream, brought his owners Tim and Julie Raulen out to play in the Wheaton park and peruse some of the nearly 30 booths, including dog product vendors and rescue organizations.

"We've come down for picnics and other events, but Barney's never been able to join us," Julie Raulen said. "So today is like his day in the park."

And Barney behaved. So he also headed home with some new beef treats and a spiffy new bone-print bandanna.

Benny, an English bulldog from Wheaton, also interacted well enough with other dogs to take home a bag of chicken liver treats.

"He got one already as a sample," said owner Kirsten Donovan, "but then we couldn't get him away from the vendor. So he'll be pleased to learn I've got a bag full of them in my backpack."

Dog lovers also were treated to agility demonstrations by SuperDogz and a dog sled demonstrations by Green Valley Dog Drivers. There also was an exhibition by the world champion Highflying Disk Dogs of the Windy City K9 Disc Club, including Rick Kimball and his border collie Rudy.

"Rudy was fun and jumped super high," said 8-year-old Ryan Macklin. "Our dogs can't do that because they don't bring the Frisbee back when we throw it to them."