in training for the woofstock walk...

Don't let the laid back appearance fool you...this is one serious pooch...and he's counting the days until June 14. Fresh off his tour to CP 24 where he made his poster child debut, he is gearing up for a return trip to the big city.

Woofstock takes over the blocks around the St. Lawrence Market the weekend of June 13 and 14. Our friends from the Collie Rescue Network always have a booth. Foster did a stint there one year (and loved the location right next to Shopsy's!). Last year, Shadow was scheduled, but serious heat interfered. This year, he plans to make up for it.

If you like dogs of any type, Woofstock is a must-do experience -- at least once. www.woofstock.ca (Beware...there's sound....) Candidly, the site's no great shakes other than offering directions, but the day is a blast.

I like it because while I'm prepared to admit that I'm oddly devoted to my pets, I am not even closing in on the pet people who are really out there. Really. Woofstock kindly reminds me of that each year.

I don't dress my pets to resemble me...in fact, we have a long-standing agreement: they wear what they grow. They share what they shed. I don't ever yearn for a fur coat because I have a different style of one every day. I revel in the fashion adventure of it all....

My pals walk. On their own. Even the cats.

Companions content to be carried in a purse are scary.

Basset hounds dressed in tutus (really...every year...) convince the Alderman Collie Contigent they got reasonably good people. (I suppose we should be greatful that they don't have toe shoes on the poor dogs as well!)

I do admit to collecting hats and t-shirts there. I hope to get my paws on the best one I've seen to date, 'AT THE END OF THIS LEASH WALKS A TAXPAYER WHO HAS RIGHTS TOO'

So this year, we are at the booth, but we are also walking. The route's a couple of kilometres long...so to be sure we don't embarrass our Collie Rescue pals...and to be true to the Legacy of Lassie, we're in training.

The cheering section (aka Foster and Amber) will train with us...a bit.

They're both 10+ so they prefer to share their wisdom but pass on the action part of the show.

Foster would pound the pavement with glee (he still dreams about Shopsy's) but Miss Amber likes to have company so Fozzie is prepared to let the youngster loose.

.

to rescue a collie-ish dog named leroy...

It has been pointed out to me more than once that certain feline folks are over-reprented compared with their canine siblings. They're easier to photograph...particularly when they're a-snooze...which they are a good eighteen hours a day and change.

While the dogs are willing subjects (provided a TimBit, a Marrobone or one of those jazzy liver snacks from Barn and Fitz are being offered), they're a little trickier to settle...unless you have professional assistance. Shadow -- the biggest of the beasts -- is making his TV debut today on Animal House Calls. He is -- in the words of Seth the Linguistic from UCSD -- schtupping -- for his friends at Collie Rescue.

In truth, Shadow doesn't quite qualify as a rescue since he went from a fabulous first home to here. A serious illness in his original family meant a bunch of people moved home to help run a business and care for their family member. These kind people were worried that their friend was being neglected. They told some friends. Those friends told our GO train friends. He came to be Foster's pal.

Smart lad that he is, he figures helping out the folks who find homes for other collies is a smart move. It means there are fewer with the potential to become siblings. He makes a good point.

The Collie Rescue Network is a small group that's entirely volunteer. They put the roots in grass roots. They take in collies and collie crosses then find them homes. They need volunteers to drive, foster, fundraise -- pretty much everything.

Right now, they have a particularly tricky situation: a dog named Leroy. He's only two and he's a smooth collie cross. He has a condition called Osteochondritis Dissecans. In layman's terms -- very dodgy shoulders. He's cartilage is malformed so it hurts and it puts him at risk of losing his mobility. The good news...it can be fixed; the tricky news...it can be fixed for about $2,600. So Shadow is off to do a publicity spot...and he'll walk at Woofstock...and we'll see if we can get Leroy adjusted.

Animal House Calls is a fun show.

Amber did it last year -- and met lovely Monica Kim from E! Canada. Monica is a very elegant woman who loves dogs. Amber liked her. Stairs, however are a challenge for Amber so her more nimble associate is doing the 2009 tour.

Just as well.

He's got broader shoulders so he can carry some weight for Leroy.

To the Big Smoke!