The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre hosted a Pet Party on Thursday evening at its Frolic Field for about 100 customers and 80 pets.
The event featured a live music performance by the Nothin’ But Trouble band, a Woof Dog performance, caricature portraits of customers and their pets, balloon dogs and a reverse dunk tank, among other entertaining activities for pets and owners.
Co-owner Joanne Nichols said the event, which she called a VIP night, was to express gratitude to customers for their unwavering support over the years.
Caricaturist Alan Sideen (left) draws the portrait of Dianne and Steve Trivett and their dog, Bailey, on Thursday evening at the Pet Party organized by The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“We’ve been in this line of work for many, many years, expanded with new buildings in 2011 and these customers have been with us all along,” she told the Sun. “We love our customers; they’re the best. We had planned this for quite some time.”
The event, she said, was also to celebrate the resort’s recent feat — winning the excellence award for large business from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
“Everything tonight is for about 100 customers and about 80 dogs, and it’s all free.”
Initially, Nichols groomed dogs at home. Her husband Frank, a veterinarian, contributed to the venture. The business, she said, grew organically from the 1980s, starting with breeding and caring for English golden retrievers.
Caricature artist Alan Sideen was among the highlights of the evening, drawing portraits of customers and their pets.
“I came in from Winnipeg today, and plan to go back today, as it is a privilege for me to be part of this event,” he said. “I started as a self-taught portrait artist using a book, but then I picked up a pen called the brush. It’s very thin, with a soft touch, and that changed my art career from portraits to caricatures.”
Recounting his journey, the artist started off in mid-1995, drawing at his kitchen table in the living room. He opened his own shop at the Grand Exchange Building in Winnipeg in 2000 and has been teaching and creating caricatures since.
Sideen said he has worked on various projects, including commissions for the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Life Light Ministries, and travels extensively with Wonder Shows to festivals across Manitoba and Ontario.
“I travel about 13,000 kilometres this summer,” Sideen said. “Despite the long journey, I am filled with joy in participating in events like the Pet Party.”
The Pet Party, Nichols added, was not only a celebration of their customers but also a testament to the vibrant community of pet lovers in Brandon.
“With its lively atmosphere and diverse activities, the event successfully brought together families and their furry friends for an evening of appreciation and fun,” she said.
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