FLINT, Mich. — Flint is set to become a haven for pet enthusiasts this weekend as the Mid-Michigan Pet Expo returns to town. Running through Sunday, the event promises family fun that includes four-legged members. Now in its third year, the three-day expo features live demonstrations, pet product displays, and a variety of adorable animals.
Event coordinator Rachel Brinkman said, “We started talking and came up with this idea of a pet expo, and it was just a little idea that sparked and it grew into something huge, and every year it gets bigger and more successful.”
The expo offers exciting activities such as flyball, a high-energy dog sport with relay races and hurdles, and dock diving, a fan favorite. Brinkman noted that a variety of dog sports, including agility courses, are part of the fun, attracting participants from across the U.S. and Canada. Beginners are welcome to try out the activities with their pets.
“Even if your dog has never competed in dog diving before, if your dog likes to swim, you can come try it,” Brinkman said.
For long-time competitors like Tammie George, the expo is more than just an event. “I saw it on TV, told my husband I wanted to do Jack Russell’s agility with, and 25 years later here I am!” she said. Her two-year-old Jack Russell, Zachary, is participating in flyball and gaining confidence. “He really actually has come into his own in flyball. I thought at first he was going to be really, really scared, and he’s handling it like a pro, like he doesn’t even care. So it’s really cool,” George said.
In addition to the competitions, several local vendors are present, offering unique experiences such as communicating with pets in unexpected ways. Leslie Cirinesi, a self-described “real-life Doctor Dolittle,” is an animal communicator who claims to understand what pets are thinking and feeling.
“A lot of times if they have behavioral issues, something you want them to stop, something you want them to start. A lot of times transition decisions—are they ready to cross over the rainbow bridge? Is it time, or should we wait a little longer?” Cirinesi said.
The event also features several local rescues with adoptable pets, including reptiles, and serves as a benefit for Genesee County Animal Control.
