Community Comes Together to Celebrate Canines

Dozens of cars line Estabrook Parkway. It starts by the traffic light off West Hampton Avenue, making left turns decidedly trickier. It continues along the small two-way road until it nearly reaches Capitol Drive, filling up each spot in the small public parking scattered along the way. 

At the center of it all is Estabrook Beer Garden. 

The beer garden itself is a bustling hub of activity. Couples unpack picnic lunches. Children skitter around the playground while their parents spectate from the benches. Groups of young men toss frisbees into chain-link baskets. Cars scout for any available spots inside the parking lot. A sizable line has formed outside the small dining structure as patrons order liters of Hefeweizen and Dunkel lager, and giant steaming hot pretzels. 

It’s Saturday, September 17. The temperature is in the mid-80s, and Octoberfest is just around the corner. But this level of popularity isn’t for Octoberfest. 

This is Barktoberfest. 

Who Let the Dogs Out? 

An annual event that revolves around the celebration of man’s best friend, and Estabrook has gone all out for it. 

The outdoor eating area is packed with owners and their fluffy companions. The humans indulge in beer and brats while listening to live music while the canines catch their breath under the shade of the picnic tables or partake in ear and belly scratching. Some are even joining their humans up on the benches; tails wagging and noses twitching. 

Estabrook’s large field has been converted into something of a farmer’s market for dogs, and hundreds of people have gathered to browse.

Vendors and booths display t-shirts, leashes and collars available for purchase. There’s a wide variety of homemade treats for sale. Representatives from several different animal rescues are on site hoping to spread awareness. Labradors and huskies lounge in kiddie pools as they cool off from the sun.

Dogs and their handlers trot around the center of the field as an announcer introduces them as the most recent graduating class of the Milwaukee Dog Training Club. Some are dressed up in anticipation for the costume contest. There are even artists drawing caricatures of owners and their precious pups. Even the baseball diamond is now hosting a variety of large dogs romping joyfully in the mound clay. 

Taking up a large portion of field space is a unique activity specifically for dogs. The area has been fenced off, leaving the participating dog and owner in an enclosed space. A mechanical lure has been installed near the border of the fence and a small plastic bag is tied to it. A control panel will cause the bag to be dragged rapidly along the wire. It mimics the movements of a small animal, enticing dogs to chase after it at a full sprint as it zips around the space.  

Many people wait in line for their turn, breeds ranging from shepherds to bulldogs, while others gather around to watch the event. 

While some dogs charge after the bag at breakneck speed, others and happy to trot after it and repeatedly mark the space as their own. Either way, the audience constantly calls out their approval of the dogs’ performance. 

Amongst the spectators are young couple Nathan Konkol and Grace Nemcek, with their small 4-year-old sheltie named Winston. 

Konkol has visited Estabrook on multiple occasions to play frisbee golf with friends, but today was all about enjoying the festivities. 

“We heard about the dog festival,” said Konkol. “It sounds like the best way to spend a weekend.” 

Being a sheltie, the lure seems like the perfect activity for a herding dog like Winston, but he was a little nervous from all of the dogs and wanted to keep close to the couple. So they had decided to watch other dogs try their paw at the game, said Nemcek. 

“It’s really fun,” said Nemcek. “You don’t get to just try these things very often and it’s very cool to have an opportunity to do that.” 

Nemcek rescued Winston during the Pandemic from a shelter. The small dog was very unhealthy and traumatized when she’d first gotten him, according to Nemcek. However, the four-year-old dog has come a very long way in her eyes since then. 

“He’s just needed a little love and patience,” said Nemcek. “He’s still kind of a weirdo, but he’s a sweet boy.” 

While he may be a little shy about showing off his athletic prowess in public, Winston is happy to demonstrate his intellectual strength at home, according to Nemcek. Winston is skilled at puzzle toys and interactive games, and may even forego food in a dish in lieu of earning it through problem-solving. 

“He’s super smart and it helps tire him out,” said Nemcek. 

Deserving of a Second Chance 

Near the lure game is a booth belonging to Canine Cupids, a local rescue dedicated to fostering rescue dogs and finding them loving forever homes. Joining the volunteers are two of their current fosters: Benji, a young, scrappy little mix who eagerly greeted anyone who came close enough to lick, and Star, who’s had a rougher start to her life. 

Star, a seven-year-old dachshund-chihuahua mix, was originally owned by an elderly woman. However, when Star was diagnosed with diabetes, her owner took her to the vet to have Star put down because she was worried she would not be able to keep up with Star’s treatment. The veterinarians convinced the woman to give her to Canine Cupids, where she met her foster mother, Michelle Kramer, who specializes in fostering smaller dogs. 

While Star now has a more stable home environment, her struggles are not over. Her diabetes caused her to develop cataracts in both eyes, according to Kramer.  

Testing revealed that Star is a candidate for surgery to remove her cataracts, however the surgery will cost up to $8,000. Without the surgery, Star would be completely blind within six months. 

Kramer described Star as very sweet and dog friendly, and hopes that members of the community will consider donating so Star can recover. 

More information about Canine Cupids can be found on their website, Facebook, and Instagram. 

A Little Bit of Love Goes a Very Long Way 

Dogs are man’s best friend. Not only because of their unwavering loyalty, but the undeniable joy that they give to those around them.

Sometimes, owners decide to utilize this potential for goodness to bring happiness and comfort to entire communities. 

Pets Helping People, which just celebrated its 24th anniversary, is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to training and certifying therapy dogs to go spread canine compassion and companionship to those in need. 

Executive Director Amy Dodge described the training process for potential therapy dogs. 

Along with basic obedience skills, Pets Helping People looks for dogs who have an eagerness to interact with others. 

“We’re really looking for that dog that wants to meet people,” said Dodge. “They really want to make somebody happy. That’s what it’s all about.” 

Potential therapy dogs and their owners go through a series of classes at Mt Zion Church in Wauwatosa, where the dogs’ obedience and overall demeanors are tested in a variety of environments. They are tested to see their reactions to medical equipment, loud noises, and possibly stressful situations. 

Obedience is tested through a series of simple commands, including a two-minute sit, and seeing if the dogs will ignore and walk over a smelly treat bag. Owners are also presented with potentially challenging situations that they may encounter when they go out into the community. 

After four weeks of training, dogs who pass the assessments are officially certified for the next two years. Once the two years expire, they are welcome to come back and recertify, said Dodge. 

Pets Helping People provides its services to a wide variety of organizations. Among them are residential community centers, nursing homes, hospitals, Family Peach Center, the VA hospital, Women’s Correction Center on Keefe Avenue, schools and libraries. 

“Really anywhere that a cold nose and wagging tail would make a difference to somebody,” said Dodge. 

Jeff Wick, a Pets Helping People volunteer, was present with his eight-year-old English black lab, and certified therapy dog, Bella. 

Wick rescued Bella when she was three, and now she spends time bringing joy to handicapped children, visiting nursing homes, and spending time in hospitals. When she’s not working, Bella loves playing in the water, and is a certified ‘duck-dog’ in Wick’s eyes. 

“I did it [certified Bella] just to help other people out,” said Wick. “To make a difference in the world by healing.” 

Anyone interested in getting their dog certified is highly encouraged to visit Pets Helping People’s website. 

Closing Time 

As 5 p.m. nears, people slowly begin filing out of the park. Vendors pack up the remaining merchandise into their vehicles. Estabrook staff gather up stray glass mugs from the tables. Dogs trot towards the parking lot or graciously accept being carried by their families. 

At the entrance to the parking lot, a sign lists off a peculiar declaration: No Dogs Allowed.