Dinner For The Dogs Fills Home With Supporters

By Kendra Bobowick

Curious barking escaped Ruth and Robert Hutchison’s front door as their dog Polo welcomed guests Saturday, April 17.

More than 40 guests accepted the invitation to a dinner party benefiting the Newtown Park and Bark dog park this month, and by 7 pm Saturday, the Hutchinsons were busy with a buffet dinner, cocktails, and would soon be preparing desserts with fresh-whipped cream on top. Pulling an arm off the mixer, Ann Vallerie bent down toward Polo as he gently wound his tongue through the tines reaching for dollops of cream.

A soundtrack assembled especially for the event played from recessed speakers. “We’re playing only dog music,” Mr Hutchinson said. Every song on the list was about a dog. Amid the wine glasses raised in toast, and the plates piled with fresh vegetables and sour cream and dill dip, Dog Park Committee Chair Kaia Fahrenholz stepped to the center of the room to say, “Thank you” to Cindy and Jeff Freedman. They would bring that thanks home to their daughter Chloe, who won the schoolwide contest to name the dog park. Dog lovers with four large-breed pets at home, the family works at obedience training daily, and is among the growing number of residents eager to see a place in town where dogs can run free, off their leashes.

Greg Sideleau and Sandy Kuzmich filled their plates from the buffet and found seats where they mingled, speaking about their own pets at home. Moving through the kitchen they found a comfortable spot beside Ms Fahrenholz, who spoke with Your Healthy Pet owners Mary Kay and Tom Novak. Their Route 25 location near Sand Hill Plaza carries animal lovers’ supplies from food and treats to leashes and bedding. Behind them through the doorway to the kitchen, Polo continued lapping at cream where Ms Vallerie admitted, “I am his new friend.”

Seated beside the fireplace hearth were Marcela Moayedi and Adelaida Egan, who received a visit from Polo as he licked drops of remaining cream from his snout. Smiling as the two women leaned in to pat Polo’s head were pet owners Chris and Michele Germain.

Parks and Recreation Director and Assistant Director Amy Mangold and RoseAnn Reggiano both nodded to familiar faces in the crowd, including Selectman Will Rodgers and Probate Judge Moira Rodgers, Monica Roberta from the Animal Center, Mark Alexander who serves on the Tick-Borne Disease Action Committee, Newtown Friends of Music President Ellen Parrella, Peggy Reed and Patti Fernandes of Canine Training and Behavior Services, C.H. Booth Library Assistant Director/Reference Department Head Beryl Harrison, and friends and neighbors who want to support efforts for Newtown’s dogs.

Preparing the dinner and desserts were Ms Hutchinson, Ms Roberto, and Kambiz Moayedi.

Visit www.Newtown-ct.gov and look for the meeting calendar, which will list upcoming Dog Park Committee meetings.