Easter goes to the dogs in treat-filled egg hunt

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

It was a ‘dog-gone” good time today for pooches and their humans who hunted for eggs filled with treats in Rentschler Forest MetroPark.

More than 100 dogs of all shapes and sizes put their noses to the ground to sniff out yummy items in plastic eggs hidden in this park on Ohio 4.

The Easter Bunny started the first hunt at 1 p.m. for dogs under 30 pounds. It didn’t take long for Bert, a beagle mix, and his family, Kevin and Kayla Jackey, of Mason, to fill their egg carton. Bert also traded in his golden egg for a new toy.

“He likes the squeaky lion,” Kevin Jackey said as Bert chomped down.

Kayla Jackey said she read about the “Dog-Gone Easter Bone Hunt” online when looking for volunteer opportunities.

“It’s a lot of fun, ” she said. “I think I will volunteer next year.”

Lucy and Desi, wire fox terriers, were dressed for the event in fuzzy sheep outfits. Dixie Simeur of West Chester Twp. said the doggy duo had no trouble sniffing out the eggs.

“They did try to eat a few,” she said with a laugh.

Lara Askill, program director for MetroParks, said this is the second year for the event and it has grown. About 100 dogs were pre-registered and they only had space for 40 more this morning.

“It’s great fun for the dogs and owners,” she said.

Big dogs got their turn to hunt too. While they waited, the Easter Bunny posed for photos and they visited dog-friendly vendors.

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