Paws with Pride

PAWS WITH PRIDE PROMISES FUN FOR ALL PETS are planning to be paraded with Pride, at a very special pet show being held next weekend. On October 13 dogs, ponies and reptiles will be out in force at Newcastles Leazes Park for the annual Paws With Pride event, which was postponed from earlier in the year because of bad weather. Paws with Pride is usually the closing event of Northern Pride held in July, which this year saw 28,000 people turned up for a day packed with live entertainment. And now its the animals turn, as the Paws with Pride Pet Show gets underway for the fourth time. Paws with Pride is one of the North Easts best loved family events, bringing together people of all ages and all communities through a shared love of animals, said organiser Ken Mortimer. It was a great disappointment to have to postpone it because of the weather back in July but were delighted it can now go ahead. The day starts off with a gay walkies fancy dress doggie parade, with a £2 entry fee which will be divided between three leading animal charities. The event is being led by double merle border collies Charlie and Ben, who have both been blind and deaf since birth. The day which runs from 11.30am to 4.30pm -  includes a fun dog show, pony rides, alpacas, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds of prey, snakes and the first appearance by Maku the meerkat along with dog agility displays by the Northumberland Dog Training Club and Pugility. Every year the event attracts thousands of people and the hope is that members of the LGBT community and the public at large will go along and support the day. This really is a great family day for everyone, said Ken.