Fundraiser for Air for Paws to take place during Sept. 16 downtown Brew Crawl

Buddy, a 10-year-old chocolate lab and die-hard 49ers fan, takes a moment to cool off in a wading pool at the Doggie Days of Summer community event in downtown Morgan Hill. He’s watched by family members (from left) Isabel, Marshall, and Lola Peters. Photo by Marty Cheek

By Marty Cheek

Get ready for a paw-ty in downtown Morgan Hill as four-legged fashionistas take over the streets for the second annual Doggie Costume Parade.

The wacky pup promenade starts 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 16 in the vacant lot next to Bubbles and Brew on the corner of Monterey Road and Fifth Street. (Check-in for contestants starts at 1 p.m. and entry fee is $20.)

The event benefits Air for Paws, a nonprofit that raises money to purchase oxygen masks for animals so first responders can lend a helping paw to save our furry friends in emergency situations.

It will take place at the same time as the Downtown Morgan Hill Association’s annual Brew Crawl. Judges will look for canine contestants wearing elaborate costumes to win prizes in various “cat”-egories including most creative, funniest, best tail-wagger, best owner-dog combo and crowd favorite.

Dog owners from across the South Valley will parade their pooches in outrageous getups — think space aliens, dinosaurs, and banana suits, and Fido in a tutu. From pugs dressed as tacos to labs donning superhero capes, they’ll take a stroll along a “cat”walk runway, showing off absurdly cute canines in absurd costumes for an afternoon outing guaranteed to produce a howling fun time.

Air For Paws has provided more than 2,000 animal resuscitation kits for first responders in 47 states as well as internationally.

Doggie Days of Summer event.
Photo by Marty Cheek

During emergencies, such as fires or accidents, animals can be exposed to smoke or toxic fumes, leading to respiratory distress.

Firefighters and other first responders have historically had limited options to provide proper care for distressed animals when they are encountered during 9-1-1 calls, according to a Facebook post from the Los Angeles Fire Department. It recently received a donation of many kits from the animal welfare organization to supply every fire engine in the city.

“We are thankful to Air for Paws for this thoughtful donation,” said LAFD Assistant Chief Amir Caspian. “These kits will enhance our ability to care for pets during emergencies, ensuring that they receive the same level of life-saving attention as any other family member.”

In other canine news: Morgan Hill is definitely a city that has gone to the dogs. The downtown found itself hosting the first Doggie Days of Summer festival where much of Monterey Road was closed down Saturday, Aug. 26

Activities included a best-in-show competition, pet pools and spray pads to cool off, a mobile gaming track, a doggy photo-booth, a kids play zone, a dog agility course, live music and vendors selling items for the furry family member.

Among the hundreds of people attending this event was Angelia Guglielmo, the owner of Fresh Start K9 dog training and dog boarding. With a team of six dog trainers and clients, she toured the street showing off nine dogs.

“We wanted to come out and support the city and all the hard work they put in too putting on these events that bring the community together,” she said. “And being dog trainers and animal lovers, we definitely wanted to come out and see all the dogs.”

The next Air for Paws fundraising event is the popular Halloween Party at Morgan’s Cove. The pirate-themed home in a Morgan Hill neighborhood has appeared on Disney+’s “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” show.

Tickets for the “wandering cocktail party” event are $100 and can be purchased by going to www.AirForPaws.com.