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Paws on parade

by CAROLYN BOSTICK
Staff Writer | December 12, 2023 1:05 AM

WALLACE — Tails were wagging during the Paw Parade on Saturday. The procession of pooches was part of the two-weekend Home for the Holidays celebration in Wallace.

Last year, about 70 dogs joined in the holiday fun, but this year, the turnout managed to climb to almost 90 dogs, paw parade director Cindy Lien said. The event raised money for Shoshone Pet Rescue.

Madison Johnson announced the dog march down the streets as the official banner bearer for the festivities. Prizes went to Sullivan Peregoy the dog for best costume award, Duke Hasz the dog for being Santa Paws award, and Ava Krusemark was bestowed with the title Mrs. Santa Paws. 

"It was the perfect day for the annual Paw Parade in Wallace. We had over 85 dogs, one cat and all their humans … We filled the streets of downtown Wallace with our beloved fur babies and we had a great time doing it,” Lien said.

The Grinch was even taken into custody by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

The parade was paw-ssible thanks to help from volunteers Janet Fraser, Robin and Kevin Hack, Don Lien, Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey, the Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce, 1910 Coffee Shop, and the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

Lien called the event an “absolutely iconic Wallace tradition filled with lots of smiles, neighbors visiting, doggos dressed up, a stroll down snowy city streets, and lots of fun,” Lien said.

Donations were raised by the parade to help feed and provide medical care for animals at Shoshone Pet Rescue. The organization works on rehoming pets and getting animals spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. They also are occasionally able to help families needing help paying for their pet's medical care.

Kimberly Johnson, who volunteers with Shoshone Pet Rescue as the volunteer coordinator, said every little bit counts when it comes to helping connect pets to their new forever homes. A total of $155 was raised during the event for the pet rescue.

“Wonderful people donate to us. The donations we get go toward food for the animals and their medical needs,” she said.

About 75 animals find new homes in a year through the pet rescue, Johnson said.

During the Paw Parade, Johnson was accompanied by Darrin, a dog looking for a new home, and both human and pooch had a ton of fun being part of the unique holiday experience for animal lovers.

“That parade is one of the neatest things with all the animals in their costumes, it’s so much fun,” Johnson said.

To learn more about Shoshone Pet Rescue, call 208-512-3401 or email shonepetrescue@yahoo.com.


    The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office took the Grinch into custody with a little help from Mrs. Santa Paws herself, Ava the dog.
 
 
Decked out dogs took to the street during the Paw Parade on Saturday in Wallace.
Madison Johnson was the banner bearer for the Paw Parade.
Duke the dog was deemed the Best Santa Paws of the Paw parade and is seen here standing beside his owner, Torin Hasz.
In total, the Paw Parade hosted 85 dogs, one cat and their human chaperones.
Paw Parade Director Cindy Lien and Tamra Clair pose during the 2023 parade in Wallace.
    The Grinch posed with Kim Johnson from Shoshone Pet Rescue and Darrin the dog. Darrin is looking for a forever home.
 
 


Madison Johnson was the banner bearer for the Paw Parade.
Pets posed with their owners during the Paw Parade on Saturday in Wallace.
Rachel Krusemark stands by her dog, Ava, who was deemed the official Mrs. Santa Paws of the Paw Parade.