Neighborhood Goes to the Dogs
Usually when you read or hear that a neighborhood has “gone to the dogs,” that’s a bad thing. It implies decay, disinvestment, etc.
But in Montgomery’s historic Garden District, it means the neighborhood is celebrating National Night Out with its annual Pups On Parade. Last night was the sixth annual occurrence of this mile-long parade of dogs snaking through the historic district and bringing joy and fun along the way. And as with all the other events, a great time was had by all!
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- Princess the Poodle came dressed to impress!
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- A “brace of Beagles” (that’s my special name for a group of more than two) and one Bassett Hound arrived early and stood at the Bellinger Hill Park gate to welcome all others.
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- Each new parade participant received the requisite sniff and tail wag of welcome.
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- Avery, who was found wandering the Garden District last year and now enjoys his forever home right across the street from the park, thought he’d cool off BEFORE walking a mile.
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- Residents agreed that life would be whole lot better if humans who were strangers got along nearly as well as do dogs who’ve just met!
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- Parade Grand Marshall Brandon Brazil once again led the way and thoughtfully provided maps for those who might have lagged behind.
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- The evening wrapped up with free hot dogs and a chance to visit with new dog-loving friends. And as I left the event, I heard one Garden District resident—who did not walk a dog but just came for the camaraderie—say three times over, “This is simply fabulous!” Thanks and amen.
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- And this Pitt Bull came determined to show that his breed has gotten a bad rap and is really quite sweet and friendly.
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- Midway on the route, a really thoughtful Garden District resident provided a welcome pet watering station.
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- The sign for the event
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- Perhaps a wild cotton mallow and what appears to be vampire bugs. The more you know: cotton, okra, and hibiscus are in the same family, and their flowers all look very similar, especially as the first bloom.
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- Crowd shot, photo by Brandon Brazil.
Sandra Nickel has been listing and selling residential real estate for over 30 years, most with an intense focus on Montgomery’s Midtown neighborhoods. Sandra serves on the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless, the Cloverdale Business Coalition, Historic Southview, the Volunteer and Information Center, Landmarks Foundation and her own neighborhood Garden District Preservation Association.
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