Lynn Shaffer and Jasper enjoy Morgan’s Grove Park Photo by James P. Whipple

A picnic for dogs, and their owners, was held at Morgan’s Grove Park Sunday, July 12.

The Shepherdstown Has Gone To The Dogs amily picnic was organized by the Shepherdstown Visitors Center. Through the day about 35 people attended with their dogs.

Cheryl Keyrouze, director of the Visitors Center, said that for a first-time event “I thought the turn out was pretty good. Every one seems to be enjoying the picnic. I thinks it’s great to see so many dogs. It was great watching the owners talk and show each other their dogs.”

The highlight of the picnic was a dog picture contest. The winner of the contest was Jim Humphrey who submitted a picture of his dog “Dusty.” Humphrey took home a metal sculpture of a dog called “Shepherdstown Has Gone to the Dogs” award. The sculpture was donated by Shepherdstown’s Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery.

The second place winner Patrick Aragon and his dog Belle won a sitting with a local artist who will do a painting of the dog. The third place winner Steve Sanderson and his dog Kai took home a three-night stay at the Flowing Springs kennel. The winner of the first place sculpture will keep the metal sculptured dog for a year. Next year at the Second Annual “Shepherdstown Has Gone to the Dogs” the award will pass to whoever wins Best Dog Picture.

There was an obstacle course for dogs of all sizes. The prizes were made especially for the occasion by the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery. There was a raffle that had several baskets of goodies donated by local merchants.

A list of the sponsors included the Jefferson Security Bank, Lost Dog Coffee, The Herb Lady, My Friend’s Bowl, Dickinson & Wait, D’Accord Boutique, Steppin’ Out Shoes and Such, One Two Kangaroo Toy Store, Lullaby Lu, Karen Glennen, National Animal Nutrition, Peaceable Paws, LLC, Plowing Springs Kennel, Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery, Marti Wells, Wild about Nature, Blue River, and Grapes & Grains Gourmet.

Carol Gallant a local author who wrote a book about her dog “Charlotte the Wonder Dog” was at the picnic with her dog Charlotte who signed copies of the book with her right paw.

– Jim Whipple