Dog Soldiers of the Future (Pictures of Mardi Paws, Part III)

NEW ORLEANS, LA (USA) — Even civilian dogs got to live out their wildest ambitions by dressing up as SAR dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs and tactical military dogs. In every way, they were there to show their patriotic readiness to support the anti-terrorist operations all over the world. (One dog floated over the parade ground in a miniature "FF-007" fighter jet. Hmm, maybe some day, after the USAF lowers the cadet height requirement to 20 inches...)	Above: There may have been over 500 dogs in the parade, but that estimate doesn't even come close to the countless canine spectators who were there to see the show and rub noses with the royalty. (We won't say exactly what they were rubbing noses against.)
Below: Top Dog "feels the need for speed!" (or at least feels the need for a good back scratching ...ooh, right there.)
www.mardipaws.com

A warning shot across the bow-wow: Tiny "Sophie" sends a stern message to any insurgents who try to tangle with the Stars and Stripes in the future.

By mid-afternoon, the parade had finished, and the partygoers were free to romp around the park and visit the attractions. There was music, food, dog tricks, food, photo booths, obstacle courses, a book-signing by Paul Morgan & Cody (100% of whose proceeds went to the LaSAR Dog Squad) ...and did I mention food?

Celebrity canines also got a chance to mingle with their admiring public—that is, when they were not busy chasing the CatsInTheNews.com staff into Lake Pontchartrain (read "Snags & Crew Crash Mardi Paws").

Thanks to Denise & Gus, Paul, Eileen and Cody, Janet (our Southern Hospitality Specialist) with Vintage Limousine, the Times-Picayune and the thousands of 4-legged and 2-legged revelers who made Mardi Paws 2002 (mardipaws.com) a stunning success and a howling good time.