The Knights of Cubbon Bark, (Cubbon Park Canines Volunteers) have organised the second annual Santa BowWow FunTrain at 9 am-10.30 am on Sunday, December 23, 2018. After the excellent response last year, the festival is back with a bang. It is designed to help children get along with dogs in a safer and happier manner.

The Knights of Cubbon Bark, (Cubbon Park Canines Volunteers) decided after an unfortunate child-dog interaction, where a frightened dog inadvertently injured a young boy, that it was important to create a safe and fun platform to help children and adults figure out ways to happily and respectfully deal with dogs. The event thus started has now morphed into a much wider one, also celebrating Christmas and the season of giving.

This isn’t just about children and dogs. All the adults were amazed at how much they took away about dog dynamics, given the effervescent trainer Rajeshwari Ramachandran‘s (of the Human-Dog Interaction Project) expertise and warmth in talking about this.

Pic: CJ Memorial Trust

Asha Mallan, Knight of Cubbon Bark is leading this year’s event with her team. As a curtain raiser to the Santa BowWow, the first Dog Walk of the city, Cubbon Dog Walk held on 12 Dec18 as part of the Bangalore Walk Festival, was very well-received – many people got to see and experience Cubbon Park with their dogs and to meet celebrated Cubbon Park dogs ie, The Parkies and hear their stories.

The second launch that will happen along with the Santa BowWOW #FunTrain is the first of its kind initiative in the country – the  #VPP Parent and Virtual Pet Parkie adoption. Aimed to promote virtual adoption of the dogs, the initiative has received good response, with many virtual adoption requests (even from companies). (Event: Bit.ly/Vppparent & Sign up to virtually adopt at: bit.ly/Vppform )

In addition, there are many events lined up around this at the Sunday Dog Park. There is an ice cream making contest, a sausage tree for dogs, photo and essay contests, best-dressed dog, carol singers, secret Santas, and more. Behaviorist Sindhoor Pangal and her BHAARC Team will interesting programmes. Artist Kirtana Kumar‘s Junior Troupe will share songs and poems.

The FunTrain is free, but people are encouraged to wear their most Christmassy stuff, and to be a Santa by bringing something nice for the Park dogs.

Event Organised by : The Cubbon Park Canines & The CJ Memorial Trust 

Note: The press note was provided by The CJ Memorial Trust and published here with minimal edits.