Chihuahua Therapy dogs; Chula, Cortez, Bruno and Bendito, arrive together. See a gallery below. (Gayle Shomer/DavidsonNews.net)

Weather couldn’t keep local canines and their owners from frolicking at the 2013 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival  on Saturday, April 27, at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville. Thousands of visitors came for a variety of activities, from live music to demonstrations to dog contests.

Our photographer Gayle Shomer was there to record the scene. See her photo gallery below. Read the full story

Dog lovers are invited to cast votes over the next two weeks to help pick the “Top Dog” of the 2013 Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival, which is scheduled Saturday, April 27, 10am-4pm, at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville.

Voting is open through April 17 at parkandrec.com. Judges have selected three finalists: Puddin’, a 5-year-old chocolate lab; Jenni, a 2-year-old poodle mix; and Ashe, a 7 ½-year-old Jack Russell. The three finalist photos were chosen based on cleverness and originality. Read the full story

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Penny was among the contestants in a best trick contest at Bark in the Park. (Natalie Houck photo)

HUNTERSVILLE - A cloudy day could not keep dog lovers away from Saturday’s Bark in the Park festival at historic Rural Hill farm.

Contests, dog demos and a parade of adoptable dogs were among the day’s events. A “Best Trick” contest drew a small crowd of participants at 11 a.m., where dogs danced, prayed, shook hands, and high-fived for some of their tricks. Read the full story

Bark in the Park is 10-4 on April 28 at Rural Hlil. Click for details.

HUNTERSVILLE - Historic Rural Hill this weekend will host the 8th Annual Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival  – a festival for dogs and the people they own. This year’s festival runs Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes a

The event includes the annual Top Dog Photo Contest – Cooper, a 2-year old Boxer, was named the top dog April 23, after being picked as one of three finalists. Other finalists were:  McGrady (5-year old Australian Shepherd), and Nala (3-year old Blue Tick Walker mix). (See the official announcement of the winner.) Read the full story

Dont miss the 2012 Pedigree® Bark in the Park Presented by Food Lion on April 28th from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

The festival, which will be held at Rural Hill in Huntersville this year, is a signature event of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department with proceeds benefiting the County’s off-leash dog parks.

Festival entry and parking are free. Read the full story

Banner the beagle and his owner, Beverly Miller, took first place (Cornelius PARC photo)

More than 600 people turned out with their four-legged friends for the 11th annual All American Dog Show at Bailey Road Park Saturday. Eighty dogs competed in different categories, including “cutest senior,” “best dressed” and “most ear-resistible ears.”

The event attracted dogs of ALL sizes and shapes (Cornelius PARC photo)

Hosted by the Cornelius PARC Department and sponsored by the North Mecklenburg Animal Hospital and MI-Connection, the event offered fun for all ages – and breeds – and also raised money for animal rescue. Read the full story