Yappy Hour Preps Pups for Parade

In an afternoon of pinot noir and Pekingese, the canines of Half Moon Bay gathered Saturday to register for the third annual to be held July 4.

The afternoon, entitled “,” featured a gorgeous spread of goodies provided by owner Kim Levin and provided an opportunity for attendees to brand a bottle of Pawsitively Pinot Noir with their very own dog's paw prints inked on the label.

Pooches on Parade co-founder Marcia Traversaro was surrounded by adorable fluff and attention-seeking wagging tails, but managed to be a great hostess.

“They’re a real source of unconditional love, I really don’t think there’s a mean bone in their body,” said Traversaro of the pups.

While guardians feasted on “pup-cakes” and delicatessen items, their canine charges played with four-legged friends at the restaurant's scenic creekside gardens.

“I want them to be able to meet each other and have fun,” Travesaro said of the dogs and their guardians. “The parade gives them the opportunity to bring the family and the dog.”

The co-founder’s tender heart for animals led her to create an event in which pets and their guardians could bond in celebration.

“I was just born with it,” she said. “Every feral cat in the neighborhood adopts me.”

Traversaro and husband, John Traversaro, began the parade after they had seen a gigantic pup parade in Santa Barbara.

“We thought, when we finally move to Half Moon Bay we must do this,” John Traversaro said.

Though only in it’s third year, 160 dogs have registered to date to participate in this year's Pooches on Parade, according to Marcia Traversaro.

“I think it’s a great benefit and we have the right space for it,” Pasta Moon owner Kim Levin said.

Guests at Yappy Hour enjoyed both the elegance and the excitement brought forth on Saturday afternoon.

“This was so incredibly fun,” said Half Moon Bay resident Kendall Flint. “I hope more people support it next year.”

Kendall and husband Steve Flint brought along their dog Beatrix Kiddo, who the Flints described as "gregarious and loving." Beatrix Kiddo will be wearing a GoPro camera on her collar during the parade to act as a live canine correspondent for Pooches on Parade.

“She’s going to do parade coverage for us and all of our friends,” Steve Flint said.

The Flints are great supporters of dog-friendliness in Half Moon Bay and agree that though the tradition is young, Pooches on Parade is a tradition they intend to keep.

“We’re very big proponents of the ,” Kendall Flint said. “What people don’t realize about Half Moon Bay is how dog friendly it is.”

Dogs that strut their stuff at the July 4 parade will also be eligible to vie for titles such as Best Canine Couture, Best Look-Alike, Best Float and Most Humorous.

Though Pooches on Parade encourages owners to bring their pets in costume, Marcia Traversaro said that each dog will be offered a red, white and blue bandana or other accessory.

“This way every dog in the parade will have something,” she said.

This year, a pet tricks competition will showcase the best stunts for various prizes.

Prizes ranging from a Bay Cruise to golf for four at will also be raffled off at the free 4th of July “Bark-B-Q”  at after the parade. Cameron's will provide food for humans and a doggie treat bag for the first 200 dogs.

“They have no bias or prejudice,” Levin said of the dogs. “They can’t speak for themselves, so we need to speak for them.”

Owners can register their dogs for Pooches on Parade for free in advance of the event and can be completed online, through the mail, at the . Registration is available the morning of the event for $10.