Grace made quite an impression on the Toronto Dog Moms' Pawgent catwalk. The Pomeranian strutted down the runway, showcasing her tricks with her dazzling spin that impressed the weekend crowd at the Bentway Studio near Fort York.
As the star queen of the event, Grace helped make the atmosphere exciting by offering a wide range of activities that kept everyone entertained. The event marked the beginning of something special for dog lovers of all kinds. The dog market and Pawgents were filled with opportunities to bond with furry friends and celebrate the joy of dogs.
Vendors set up tables selling wipes, clothing for dogs and accessories for dog owners, wild yarn knits, dog treats and also cat food. It also featured the Pawgent, where dog owners registered their dogs to strut down a runway, dress them up, and showcase tricks.
Two lucky dogs, a queen and a king, were crowned and received $250 worth of gifts, including various dog-friendly products.
Michelle Costa proudly watched as her dog Grace was crowned Queen of the event. She said she enjoys participating in fun events with her dogs, taking pictures of them in outfits, and connecting with pets.
“I think seeing how we all interact and come together for each other based on like the same bond of animals,” Costa said. “So, I think it's just fun to see how they respond to them in these settings,” she said.
Ingrid Castro, the organizer of the event and owner of the Toronto Dog Moms website, said she wants to promote small dog businesses and create connections between them and residents.
“That's actually always been part of our mission. It's something we want to do. We aim to support local and small businesses across the city, connecting them with pet owners and the community." she said.
Daniel Romaniuk, a local vendor selling PureWet wipes for dogs that are 100 per cent hypoallergenic, biodegradable and made without harmful chemicals.
“A big thing in ours is to be part of a community, so the Trial Dog Mom has helped us a lot with marketing stuff like that, so we like to give back, you know, participation in all the gift bags, everything like that,’’ he said.
As local businesses continue to play an essential role in the economy, events like the show are becoming increasingly important, Romaniuk said. They create opportunities for meaningful interactions that help build trust and strengthen relationships for small or big businesses, he said.
Jesslie Levy, the owner of the JumpingJakeDogCo, sells dog bandanas, matching tote bags, scrunchies and outfits.
She said it's important to support and empower local makers and help them grow their businesses.
“It's about supporting local business, so you are supporting business, local brands and your community,” she said.
