Event to Feature Newfoundland Water Rescue Demos, Clifford the Big Red Dog and More
Rufus
Rufus, the 2006 Westminster Best in Show Champion, is among the dogs participating in the first ever Dog Days at Mystic Seaport Friday through Sunday, August 28 - 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The nine-year-old winningest Bull Terrier in the history of the breed, Rufus is a 35-time Best in Show winner holding 700 titles in all and has been donating his time to raising money for multiple animal and human charities since 2006. He holds the honor of being a Certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dog International, an AKC Canine Good Citizen and in 2006, USA Today listed him as one of the most influential “people” of the year.
Representing the National Education Association’s “Read Across America,” Rufus, dressed in his official Cat in the Hat outfit, will take part in story time Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Museum’s Stillman Building. Visitors can have their picture taken with the Bull Terrier for a nominal photo fee and all proceeds will support the restoration of the last surviving wooden whaleship in the world, the Charles W. Morgan.
Rufus will additionally meet visitors from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Museum’s playscape area.
Friday’s special events will include demonstrations by the Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue Team and a visit from Connecticut Humane Society Therapy dogs.
Saturday and Sunday’s activities will include demonstrations of the famous life-saving water rescue skills by the Newfoundlands of the Newfoundland Club of New England, canine demonstrations by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and also by Guiding Eyes for the Blind and a visit by The Tales of Joy Therapy Dogs.
Additionally, throughout the weekend, visitors can watch the Stonington K-9 Police Department perform demonstrations on the Village Green; attend story time with Clifford the Big Red Dog and make special crafts in the Children’s Museum; watch canine flyball demonstrations by the Seaside Sprinters; have their photo taken in front of the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile; shop vendor booths and enjoy hush puppies, slush puppies, hot dogs and other dog-themed food in the Galley Restaurant.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their leashed dogs. Museum admission is required to attend Dog Days.
For demonstration times and information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/dogdays.
Due to the specialized jobs of some of Dog Days’ participants, scheduled demonstrations may be cancelled if they are called away for an emergency.
Mystic Seaport, the nation’s leading maritime museum, features historic tall ships, a working shipyard, a re-created 19th-century village, exhibits and a planetarium. Admission is $24 (adults) and $15 (kids 6-17). Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.
