'Show Us Your Tails!'—Crowds Pack This Year's Mardi Paws Parade

February 27, 2001 Baton Rouge, LA, USA

"Only in Louisiana would people turn out like this to watch dogs march down the street," said Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Gary Traylor. "Usually, a parade's a parade. But this one's a lot of fun."

Last week's Mardi Gras celebration featured a sensational show that let every dog have its day.  As many as 700 dogs proudly pranced down the street in the second annual Mystic Krewe of Mutts "Mardi Paws" Parade, an event that benefits the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS).

"This event is as much to educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering and to have fun as it is to raise money," said one parade organizer Mary Warren.

Dogs and humans alike suited up in outrageous costumes and shamelessly took the city by storm.  Feathered dogs, beaded dogs, royal dogs and angel dogs were among the merry revelers.  A Boston terrier in a bumblebee suit, complete with gossamer wings, darted in circles around his owner, dressed as a gigantic flower.

To see some great pictures, go to the Mardi Paws photo gallery.

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