By Andie Foley
andie.foley@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — In celebration of National Dog Day, The Laurels of Salisbury hosted a fashion-themed parade of pooches through its halls on Sunday.

The parade was the brainchild of activities director Chandra Adkins, who said she was inspired when she learned that Sunday was designated Dog Day.

“I was like, ‘You know what? I know (the residents) love dogs,'” she said. “… We’re going to dress them up and have a parade through the facility. Whoever wants to see them can at their room doors or at the nurses station.”

For the residential care facility’s first Dog Day celebration, the number of canine participants was more than enough to bring smiles and giggles to residents, guests and staff alike.

Four-legged fashion ranged from costumes to accessories like bows, from dresses to vests.

Chihuahuas Muffin and Foxy greeted parade watchers in matching hues of pink: Muffin in a frilly dress, and Foxy in patterned and bow-adorned vest.

Muffin came with Deborah Duffell, while Foxy accompanied Adkins, the parade emcee.

Shih Tzu Simone complemented the pair with her pink sweater, with a bow trying and failing to keep the tufts of fur from her eyes.

Sheltie mix Scotch donned a lion-like mane. Boxer Jordy’s docked tail was in near constant motion under his pirate costume, and Boston Terrier Puppy was busy as a bee greeting residents in her — you guessed it — bee costume.

Doxie-pin duo Catniss Rose and Primrose fluttered behind in matching butterfly ensembles.

Some humans got into the mix. Jody and Tracy Crotts, along with 9-year-old daughter Kara, came dressed for a luau. Their dogs, smooth collie Nexus and Chinese crested Sugar Bear, matched. Nexus wore a hula skirt and lei, and Sugar Bear was in a Hawaiian shirt and tourist hat.

The Crottses heard about the celebration through advertisements in the Post. Others participated during scheduled visits with family and friends.

Charlotte Gardner brought her own Chihuahua, Coco, dressed as SuperMan, before stopping to see her friend Pat.

Each canine visitor was rewarded before departure with a bone-shaped dog biscuit.