Bring Your Dog And Benefit A Doggone Good Cause

WASHINGTON — With the dog days of summer not far away, Sunday, June 22, will be heating up in celebration of your favorite canine friends. The day will mark this year’s Marty’s Best Dog in the World Contest to be held at the Washington Primary School (River Walk) Pavilion at noon.

The event features dog training clinics, pet grooming stations, caricature artists, mimes, clowns, an ice cream truck, and lots of dogs with their owners. In addition to voting for their favorite dogs, participants can enjoy an on-site café and boutique of local retailers showcasing pet-related products and services.

If you love dogs, this is the place to be.

Last year, more than 200 people attended to show and support 114 canine contestants. Sponsored in part by Ericson Insurance Services and Green Hill Home and Garden, the event will benefit Marty’s Fund, a memorial to Martin O’Brien (the namesake for Marty’s Café) who lost his battle with cancer in July 2005.

The fund supports complementary care and services for cancer patients at New Milford Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center.

G. Blane Withers, O’Brien’s partner and owner of Marty’s Café, said, “Marty received the most knowledgeable and attentive care during a difficult battle. My goal since his death has been to ensure that the Regional Cancer Center at New Milford Hospital can continue to provide the amenities that make the lives of our friends and neighbors more pleasant while they try to beat this dreaded disease.”

The emcees for this year’s event are News Channel 3 Weatherman Scot Haney, George Ginn (Marty’s father-in-law), and Jack Crann, celebrated dog trainer and theater choreographer. They will announce “The Best Dog in the World” and five runners-up, who will be awarded prizes for being the top most voted for dogs.

For registration and information, call 860-868-1700 or visit Marty’s Café, 4 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot.