By Callum Ludwig
When a pet photographer approached Warratina Lavender Farm interested in using their location for a shoot, tails started wagging.
Now, on Sunday 6 March, they are excited to be hosting their inaugural Dog Day in the lavender fields. The event will go from 9.30am to 5pm at the farm, 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock.
Founder Annemarie Manders said she thought the farm would make a great venue for pet photos, and couldn’t believe how quickly the possibilities grew.
“I thought what a great idea. We’ve got a facility here, wide-open grassy areas, which I thought could lend itself to some dog training on a Sunday morning from eight to nine,” she said.
“I mentioned this to my social media lady and her mind started rolling with ideas. Now we’ve got 19 stallholders and that’s not counting all the entertainment.”
The event is jam-packed with doggy delights, with stalls where visitors can purchase gifts, agility demonstrations, specialised training classes, professional pet photography sessions, vet and physio checks and a pamper area.
Of course, there will also be a competition for Best in Show, with two judging sessions in the morning and afternoon.
Dog owners will have to register their dogs in the competition, and there will prizes for the three top dogs in each category: small, medium and large.
Ms Manders said the lavender fields will be available for photo-ops of the pampered puppies.
“We will have two photographers who are going to share our private garden or in the lavender for customers to get photos with their pet,” she said.
“We’re just hoping the weather is going to behave itself, but we’re not cancelling it because dogs couldn’t care less if it rains anyway.”
All dogs must be kept on a short leash throughout the event.
Entry tickets are $15 and are available at trybooking.com with a little lavender ice cream in a tub and dog treats included.
