Heavy Petting in Kanab with Sighthound Shivoo!
– By James McFadden –
Kanab, Utah – They’re taking it to the streets of Kanab – stress-reducing and endorphin-producing petting – of the almost 200 hounds taking over Kanab, Oct 8 – 10 for Sighthound Shivoo.
Humans and hounds travel from all over – Texas, Florida, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma – just to strut their stuff on the streets of Kanab. This event is one of the largest, three-day, sighthound gatherings in the western United States. Formerly called Greyhound Gathering, Sighthound Shivoo – the new title – reflects growing love and need to rescue and adopt sighthounds around the country.
Chris Titchen, of England, calls it a “bloody good time, without the blood.” Claudia Presto, founder of Kanab’s Greyhound Gang and the event’s organizer, says, “Smart, sweet, silly and sexy – but enough about me. Come pet the hounds, they’re waiting.”
Presto said that while in modern times greyhounds are known for their racing prowess and the abuse and abandonment they suffer when they no longer earn money for their breeders, they’ve historically been treated lovingly as loyal companions of royalty and treasured family members.
Highlights of this event include:
- Parade down Center Street – to the strains of “You Ain’t Nuthin’ But a Hound Dog”, with hundreds of costumed humans and hounds, vying for prizes and attention.
- Blur of Fur – where greyhounds chase their humans down a strip of grass while being clocked with radar guns by Kanab police.
- Hike the Red Rocks – join us for a leisurely walk through the vermilion cliffs of Pugh Canyon
- Chalk & Talk – humans will talk about their hounds to you as they (attempt) drawing pictures on the sidewalks of Kanab. Hound will lay on soft dog beds.
Fundraising activities include over one thousand donated items in Live and Silent Auctions and Grab Bags. Hikes, Speakers, Heavy Petting, Food, Fun, and Best Friends tours round out the weekend.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.greyhoundgang.org. Registration is required for those attending the events all weekend, but the public is always invited to view and pet the hounds and join us at the parade, Chalk & Talk, Hike, and Blur of Fur.
For more information on the event, contact Claudia Presto at Claudia@greyhoundgang.org or call 435-644-2903.
