This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Some of Utah's furriest patriots and their owners strolled through Sugar House in a different kind of Independence Day procession Monday.
The Salt Lake City neighborhood's third annual Fourth of July pet parade drew roughly four dozen dogs, some in tutus, sunglasses and star-spangled top hats. Canine participants ranged from tiny teacup Yorkies and dachshunds to Rottweilers and a fluffy Samoyed, a breed native to Siberia.
Monday morning's 90-degree heat likely proved too much for cats and other critters that sat out the parade. Also missing was an alpaca — a crowd favorite last year.
Still, organizers with the Sugar House Chamber of Commerce believe Monday's turnout was the best yet, said Bri Zobrist Henke, an architect who volunteers with the local business group. The event aimed to showcase Salt Lake City's pet-friendly spirit, which Henke believes is stronger than in most other cities.
"Here, I take my dogs to Home Depot, I take my dogs to Whole Foods," said Henke, who grew up in Iowa and has lived in Chicago, St. Louis and Tokyo.
In Utah, she said, "there's so much encouragement or appreciation for people with dogs. It helps to have a healthier active lifestyle for the human, too."
The parade also had a philanthropic goal. Most of the money collected from a $15 registration fee goes to the Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah no-kill organization.
The chance to contribute to that cause drew University of Utah researcher Brenda Valles to the procession that started in Sugar House Park and ended at the chamber's holiday street fair on Highland Drive.
"We believe in second and third chances, and pets just can't tell you they need it. They need advocates," said Valles, a California native. Her 3-year-old healer mix, Chewbacca, sported an Oakland Athletics jersey.
Valles moved to Utah in 2003. Since then, she believes Salt Lake City has warmed increasingly to dogs, noting she can sit with Chewbacca at the neighborhood's Wasatch Brewery, which opens its patio to dogs.
Her family also attends "Yappy Hours" hosted by Salt Lake City, with food trucks and live music in rotating downtown locations.
Farther down the parade route, an English Bulldog named Cannoli and a Pomeranian called Mr. Fox padded down the sidewalk.
No animals or humans snarled or snapped along the way. And the good behavior paid off. Under a tent at the finish line, collars emblazoned with "first place" were awarded in categories such as "most patriotic costume" and best "trick."
Whole Foods, PetCo, Sizzler and other businesses donated gift cards for winners.
Cindi Dunford, owner of the Samoyed and a black Labrador retriever, walked through Hidden Hollow on the half-mile route with her daughter Katherine, 14, and husband, John.
Dunford summed up her family's reason for dressing the dogs in miniature top hats of red, white and blue.
It's simple, she said, "it's just fun."
Sugar House Chamber Director Summer Shumway has a plan to expand the parade in coming years — and to include a variety of creatures.
Said Shumway: "I'd love to see a goat and a marmot."
Twitter: @anniebknox