Dismal Dog Winterfest

My husband and I were so excited for the Seattle Dog Winterfest 2009! We have a 2 year old black lab mix that we rescued from a kill shelter, and ever since we got her we love going to any dog festival.  So we went to this event earlier today and have mixed feelings about our experience. 

First of all, we did get to meet Cesar Millan as you can see from the picture on this page. So, of course, that was the best part! Cesar Millan is the host of his own show, "The Dog Whisperer."  He is a hero!  My husband and I DVR all of his shows in hopes of learning new technique to try with our puppy.  I truly appreciate all of the work he does to make sure that dogs are treated properly and get a fair chance at life.

To elaborate a bit more on the event, we felt that it was poorly coordinated. The Meet & Greet with Cesar was 'first-come' for VIP ticket holders only! This was not noted ANYWHERE at the event! No signs, no notice on the website either. We got in line and, just like MANY other general ticket holders, we were not informed that we had to be VIP until we had stood in the line for a FULL HOUR! They made us get out of line and go to the end of the line again...which ended up being a total of 3 hrs in line!  I was grateful that we actually got to meet Cesar, but the coordinators needed a lesson in how to run a large event. How about signs of who can go where? And publicly displaying VIP requirements for the Meet & Greet!  Sorry Cesar, but Seattle Dog Magazine did NOT meet our expectations.

Also, don't bother bringing your dog! This DOG festival does NOT allow DOGS!!!  Fortunately we decided not to bring our pup because she's not ready for such a social setting. I saw so many people coming up to the doors with their dogs and they got rejected! How sad!  They only allowed vendors to bring dogs if kept in their crates.  There were about 8 dogs up for adoption from Ginger's Dog Rescue. I'm sure most of them got adopted, but it looked like they were asking unreasonably high prices for the dogs($450+). 

If anyone is planning on attending the Seattle Dog Winterfest tomorrow(Sunday) I encourage you to reconsider or at least ask plenty of questions before waisting your time.  There are a few good vendors like doggie daycares & new dog food & toy companies.  Some will give out sample treats & toys.  I can assume that the biggest attraction tomorrow will be "The Next Dog Star" Talent Contest, which will probably be pretty entertaining. If you choose to attend, I hope you have a better experience than ours.

*I give this event a dismal two paws out of five.*

**HOLD ON! I'm not done yet! I was just informed that Bell Harbor Convention Center decided at 11pm last night that they would NOT allow dogs in the building other than the crated ones for the vendors!  Should Bell Harbor be blammed?  I don't think so.  Fingers point to Seattle Dog Magazine and their "Queen Lady Dog"  Editor -in-Chief.  The entire Seattle dog-loving community is ashamed.  How embarrassing for Cesar Millan and Ginger's Dog Rescue!