Mardi Paws

On a beautiful and almost warm January afternoon, I pack my cameras and drive to the riverfront for the annual Mardi Paws parade - the once a year opportunity for pet owners to show off their pets in style and high fashion.

There are well over 2,000 people and twice that many dogs and cats - it always surprises me how little friction there is among all the animals - they mix and socialize and rarely as much as growl at each other. It's so crowded there's barely room to walk and owners and animals are decorated to the hilt. There are dogs in wagons, rabbits in cages, a calico cat in the arms of her owner, a goat I remember from last year - one middle aged lady sits with a blanket full of daschound puppies - and there is music and laughter and much tugging at leashes. Overcast skies turn sunny and the plaza is a sea of purple, green and gold feathers, beads and wild costumes. Great Danes go nose to nose with tiny chihuahuas, boxers and bulldogs meet and greet terriers and yorkies - tails wag and between the rounds of applause for the obedience trained there is thunderous barking, fierce but harmless. A well known local priest takes the stage for the Blessing of the Animals and for a few moments it falls mostly quiet. Children with dogs in their arms bow their heads and listen intently to the prayer while their parents hide smiles.

I think there's a lesson here about harmony and peace on earth.