Fourth of July Parade…..not just for people! by Pam Todd

No doubt across the country, folks celebrated the Fourth of July with food, parades, and fireworks.  Our town has a parade every year, and I can’t recall having missed one since our kids were youngsters.  This year’s parade featured lots and lots of fire trucks with their red lights flashing and their sirens ringing through the mid-morning air; police cars and motorcycles; the county fair queen and her court riding in a convertible; the Scottish Society of Bloomington, Indiana with their wonderful bagpipe music; church floats; military floats recognizing those who have served our country in multiple wars and military actions; stage companies; gymnastics groups; cheerleaders from the middle school and high school; a combined high school band from Bloomington North and Bloomington South; a 4-H float; soccer team; people on horses; the solar bike team from BHSS; and many more.  People of all ages watched, some in lawn chairs they brought, others standing. 
This year’s opening ceremony was especially impressive.  There was music by the community band prior to the start.  A chaplain from the American Legion gave a prayer, and then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  There was a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of “Taps.”  Goosebumps covered my arms from the first note, and tears made their way slowly down my cheeks by the last note.  “Taps” touches my soul in a way I can’t adequately describe.  The crowd then sang The National Anthem, and the parade began. It was an overcast day, with a nice breeze, and quite comfortable weather-wise viewing the parade.  

I know you are thinking, “What does this have to do with animals?”  Well, it is the fact that people weren’t the only watchers at the parades.  Just from our little spot by the town square, I saw several dogs who had joined their people family for the celebration.  There was a long-haired chihuahua just in front of us.  At first, the dog was down on the pavement, sniffing around the chair and looking at people, but ended up snuggled on his owner’s lap before I could get a photo.  Then we saw a couple pushing a stroller, with their dog sitting up taking in the sights.  I so wished my I Phone had been out of my pocket.  That would have been a real digital photo moment!  There was a shepherd mix just across on the other corner.  And then there was this handsome guy, who walked back and forth in front of us several times.  The last time, his owner stopped right in front of us, with a chunk of crushed ice in her hand, holding it for him to lick, chomp, or whatever.  At that moment, I just looked at the woman and said, “Can I take a picture of your dog?”  She smiled and said, “Sure.”  So, I did, and here he is . . . a very handsome fellow!

Sure wish I could have gotten a photo of the dog in the stroller, too!
This post written by Pam Todd, http://www.bagsandmorebypam.artfire.com/, a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild, who loves animals of all kinds and loves learning about them.  Pam  features hand crocheted items for people, pets, and homes in her Art Fire Studio.  She supports The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee (http://www.elephants.com/) with an annual contribution.

LiveJournal Tags: dogs,Fourth of July,parades,animal lovers,patriotic events,pet lovers,doglovers,cfa guild,crafting4animals guild,crafting for animals guild,celebrations,pamela todd