'Champagne' flows at New Year's Eve event for canines in Ligonier

More than a dozen dogs and their owners had a howling good time ringing out 2020 Thursday afternoon during the second annual Dog Perignon NYE Day Celebration at Ligonier’s Paws On Main Street pet boutique.

Owner Angel Tunstall had champagne on hand for owners who stopped by, as well as a canine version — diluted apple juice — for their four-footed friends.

“It’s just a fun event,” she said, noting a lamb and a cat joined the dogs at last year’s inaugural celebration.

She also served cookies using a recipe suited for pet consumption.

Props including a doggie “tuxedo” were available so the human-canine couples could pose for holiday snapshots.

The event provided a relaxing change of pace for Valerie Christoff of Ligonier Township and her Rhodesian ridgeback, Zuri, who stay busy showing in his breed and participating in field trials, agility competitions and search-and-rescue training.

On walks in the woods, she said, her dog “can help me find someone. I tell them, ‘Leave me a dirty sock, so he can find you.’”

Aly Platt and her mother, Jody Platt, both of Shanksville, combined the New Year’s Eve celebration with a shopping trip for their respective goldendoodle pooches, Oliver and Annie. Preparing to celebrate Oliver’s first birthday on New Year’s Day, Aly Platt bought him a stuffed walrus toy.

The women also picked out festive hats for their pets to wear during Oliver’s birthday celebration.

“We’re going to have a banana and peanut butter cake for him,” Aly Platt said.

Carmen Banner of Ligonier Township, a frequent customer at the shop, brought her shepherd-husky mix, Buddy.

“He lies down like he owns the place,” she said while preparing Buddy for a photo shoot.