Owners of Bernese Mountain Dogs may be interesting in attending a local event later this month. Bernese Walks are events that have been happening worldwide for years, giving Bernese pet parents a chance to be social with others, and have their dogs do the same. In 2018, local Bernese pet parent Kristie Barkley Billings started a local chapter of the Bernese Walk event so that people wouldn’t have to drive into the city to meet other Bernese pet parents. Past events have been well received, with two occurring in 2018 and one in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on what was supposed to be at least a twice annual event, so this month’s event will be the first post-pandemic. The walk will take place on April 23 at 10 am, with Bernese pet parents invited to meet at the Winchester arena.
“We walk around the ballpark and if the weather is nice, around the subdivision,” Kristie said. “We get Bernese owners from North and South Dundas as well as some from the city that come out.” Kristie reported that the event grows every year, with past events seeing an average of about 20 Bernese owners in attendance. She is hoping to have a good turnout this year. “We have 54 members on our Facebook page,” she said. “I really enjoy seeing the dogs each year.”
More information can be found on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/2156308564614133.