DENVER -- July 3, 2008

Are you planning to attend the Cherry Creek Arts Festival this weekend?

If so, please stop by the 7News booth located at Milwaukee and 2nd Avenue. Meet some of my friends from 7News and try your paw....er...hand at doing a weather forecast! It's EASY. We'll have a script and tell you what to do, and you can see the finished product right away on a big TV outside the booth. You'll get to see the Magic Green Screen in action, too. Maybe you'll understand how it works -- I've watched Mike and Lisa and Richard and Scott a bunch of times and I still don't get it.

After that, please wander over to the Cru Vin Dogs Wine Group tent at the corner of St. Paul and 3rd Avenue. Cru Vin Dogs is the official wine for the festival. But here's the really cool part: they donate a portion of their profits to Canine Companions for Independence, The Alie Foundation, and Morris Animal Foundation.

Not only that, each wine label features a simply gorgeous portrait of a dog by Colorado artist Jay Snellgrove. Lucky, a CCI grad dog that lives here in Denver is featured on a Best in Show wine that will be released in September. Zebrina, a CCI puppy in training from Colorado Springs is featured on a Puppy Series Chardonnay. Lucky, Zebrina and other CCI pups will be at the Cru Vin Dogs tent on Friday. Representatives from the Alie Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation will be at the tent on Saturday and Sunday. Please stop by to say hello! I'll be at the Cru Vin tent on Friday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

A PLEA FROM PARKER!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR OWN DOGS AT HOME!

Trust me on this, they will be much happier snoozing in a cool spot at home than walking around the festival with you.

It's hot and the pavement feels like a frying pan to a pup's paws. Marianne is going to make me wear the DREADED BOOTIES from the car to the tent so I won't burn my feet.

I'll be safely out of the crowds in the tent, but I'm afraid I'd get stepped on if Marianne made me walk around the exhibits with her. I mean, I know you humans don’t intentionally step on our paws or tails, but when you’re distracted by things like fabulous artwork you tend to get careless about where you put your feet.

So please keep your own dogs safe and cool and leave them at home with a big bowl of water.

See at the Festival!

Chow for now!

Parker

Questions or comments for Parker? Send me an e-mail!

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.