Dogs delight at Maine Turnpike Authority pup cup party
KENNEBUNK — There’s a dog in a ball pit on the side of Interstate 95 having the time of his life, and he’s helping teach folks a few things while he’s at it.
His name is Mozzie, and he’s the 10-year-old dog of Rebecca Grover, director of communications for the Maine Turnpike Authority. Mozzie was one of many dogs who joined the fun Wednesday as the MTA and Animal Welfare Society hosted Pup Cup Day at the turnpike’s Kennebunk service plaza.
Pup Cup Day was a mix of community outreach, education and a chance for pups to cool off, all under the umbrella (or slight excuse) of celebrating National Dog Day, held annually on Aug. 26.
The MTA and AWS worked hand in hand to host any dog, from Katy, the chihuahua-dachshund-beagle mix on a moving trip from Nova Scotia to Florida, to Ralph, the rescue poodle mix traveling from Lisbon to Rochester, New York, on his way to college.
Bob Dunn feeds an ice cream-covered dog treat to Lily, his 7-year-old European cream retriever. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
There was something for every pup: bowls of water, a small kiddie pool to cool off in and a ball pit with treats hidden between each ball. Miles the Moose, the Maine Turnpike Authority’s very own furry mascot, even paid the pups a visit.
The main event, the pup cups, weren’t just typical cups of whipped cream — they were bacon and peanut butter-flavored whipped creams made just for furry friends.
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“I’ve tried the bacon,” said Peter Mac, who wears several hats at the MTA. “Surprisingly, it’s pretty gross.”
“I don’t know if I’d call that surprising,” added Grover.
Patreese Walsh holds out an ice cream-covered dog treat for Katy, her 8-year-old chihuahua-dachshund-beagle mix, at the southbound turnpike rest area in Kennebunk on Wednesday. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Grover said Wednesday’s event is a part of the MTA’s effort to offer more community outreach events, and Pup Cup Day was a great way to spread the word about pet safety.
The event had thermometers that showed how hot the inside of a car or the pavement can get, to educate drivers on the importance of keeping their dogs cool and hydrated.
Mozzie certainly wasn’t the only dog enjoying the festivities.
Lily, a 7-year-old European cream retriever, gets a close-up look at the camera lens after eating a pup cup Wednesday. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
There was Daisy Jane, a 6-month-old English labrador puppy tying knots around her owner’s legs with her leash; Albus and Fran, two petite rescues with their dads all the way from Chicago; and Lily, a European cream retriever on the way to Westport, Massachusetts, with her owner, Bob.
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Ralph, the college-bound pup, was heading to upstate New York with his owner, Zoe Hardel, 25, who attends the Eastman School of Music. But she wasn’t worried about the nearly 8 hours of driving ahead of her.
“He’s amazing in cars,” Hardel said as Ralph lapped water from each of the three bowls in front of him. “It’s really not a problem for him.”
Ralph, a rescue poodle mix, poses for a photo with Maine Turnpike Authority mascot Miles the Moose on Wednesday. Ralph was traveling with his owner Zoe Hardel, who was heading back to college in Rochester, N.Y. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)
As the pups came and went, Mac of the MTA was in heaven.
“This is one of the best parts of the job,” he said blissfully as he tucked the bacon whipped cream back into its cooler to await his next four-legged customer.
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Tagged: animal shelter, dogs, Maine Turnpike authority
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University. More by Abigail Driscoll
