Whipped cream is usually just a dessert topping, but for Piper Hart, it was so delicious that she couldn’t help but bury her face in the sweet treat.
While that may be odd or rude behavior for a child, for a toy poodle like Piper, it was totally predictable.
The beloved pet enjoyed her “pup cup” during the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade on May 31, on the lawn outside the Hyde Community Center.
Diminutive Yorkies, long-eared bloodhounds, curly goldendoodles, and scrappy mutts of all shapes and sizes enjoyed the event with their devoted owners.
Robin Gibbs held her Yorkie, Lexi, during the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Winnie, a 4-year-old Cavachon, at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Officer Leo, the Newton Police Department’s community resource dog, at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
“People are kinder when you have a dog,” said Piper’s “mom,” Newton resident Shamiso Hart. “It’s just like having a baby.”
Katherine Kotik said her rescued border collie Jackie, who has a relaxed demeanor, enriches her life.
“She gets us out of the house more,” said the Newton resident, who even goes kayaking on the Charles River with the friendly pup, who is a strong swimmer.
Roz Hansen, owner of pet treat business Pet Wants, at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Sarah Martin, owner of handmade pet accessories business Poodle Pack Gear, at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
(L-R): Ashley Lange, Caity Flynn, and Brandi Bruton of Coast to Coast Cardiology talked about pet health at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Leandro Ortega and his daughter Ava Ortega, of Professor Gus Books, offered books and original pet portraits at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
In addition to freebies from various pet-centric vendors, like veterinarians and groomers, the two highlights of the event were the parade and a demonstration from the State Police K9 Unit East.
Trooper Christina Cavagnaro of the State Police K9 Unit East holds back police dog Thor as it gets ready to lunge at Sgt. Tom Janeczak, who wore a protective arm guard. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Thor, a member of the State Police K9 Unit East, holds onto a protective sleeve worn by Sgt. Tom Janeczak in a demonstration of takedown skills. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Thor, a member of the State Police K9 Unit East, holds onto a protective sleeve worn by Sgt. Tom Janeczak in a demonstration of takedown skills. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Trooper Christina Cavagnaro of the State Police K9 Unit East holds the leash of police dog Thor as it demonstrates a takedown of Sgt. Tom Janeczak, who wore a protective arm guard. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Intimidating and well-trained German shepherds Thor and Thunder showed off their skills at scent detection as well as takedowns.
As owners and their pups watched, Trooper Christina Cavagnaro gripped Thor’s leash before letting the animal lunge at State Police Sgt. Tom Janeczak, who wore a tough arm protector. While the demonstration was a bit scary to watch, Janeczak was fine after Thor bit into the gear.
Both officers answered the crowd’s questions about the police dogs’ behavior and training before lining up to begin the parade.
In the parade, Birdy, Ollie, Angus, Sophie, Napoleon, and most other canines in attendance happily walked around the Hyde center with their owners. Some pups wore costumes, including a princess dress and a bright yellow, feathered Big Bird outfit, but most simply enjoyed getting attention and love.
Birdy the bloodhound sniffed out some new friends at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Ollie (L), a malshi, and his friend Angus, a Lhasa Apso, relaxed on the lawn at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Goldendoodle Sophie wore a princess costume for the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Napoleon, a French bulldog, pulled along his owner Oksana Shapiro at the Rotary Club of Newton’s second-annual Dog Fest and Parade. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
