FOURTH ANNUAL CANINE FESTIVAL AT MAGNUSON PARK

SEATTLE -- Homage to mans best friend will be paid again at the fourth annual Canine Festival at Magnuson Park, presented by Sirius about Dogs and co-sponsored by the City of Seattle, on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ive been thrilled to be a co-sponsor since the first festival in 2003, said Councilmember Jan Drago, who worked to establish off-leash dog areas that have multiplied throughout the city. This is a fun event for people of all ages. So bring your dog to the Magnuson Off-Leash Area; then come to the festival in Hanger 27!

This festival for families and dogs will feature the Sirius Fun match, International Dog Shows, Working Group Fun Match, Specialty Breed Matches, Obedience and Agility and a feature called Ancient Breeds of China. There will be rally parades, various Demonstrations, and clinics, including AKC/CAR microchipping, the latest innovation in recovering lost canines.

Lana Tsan, who in 2000 helped organize the first dog show in Beijing in 5000 years, will be a special guest at the festival. There will be demonstrations by the Seattle Police Departments police dogs and their handlers. The Retired Seattle Police Dog Fund will again receive most of the net proceeds of the event to help pay medical expenses for retired dogs due to age or disability.

On the City Council we contend with the tough issues of the citys budget and I am immensely impressed with the philanthropy of Sirius about Dogs in providing medical care funding for our retired K-9 officers, said Drago.