Local Lowdown - Celebrating St. Patrick's Day With Your Dog

Welcome to Local Lowdown, where we give you ideas for hanging with your hound (and kitty!) in your home city. We'll tell you about interesting local events, important activities, useful resources and other fun happenings all across the country. And feel free to help us do a better job by writing in with suggestions for local events near you.

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You don't need an Irish wolfhound, Irish setter or any of the nine dog breeds recognized as the Dogs of Ireland to enjoy St. Patrick's Day with your pooch; you just need to know where to celebrate!

Show your spirit and dress your pup in his finest green attire (if he'll let you), or simply choose a festive shamrock collar or bandana. Then join or watch one of the hundreds of St. Patrick's Day parades planned for this coming weekend. In addition to the floats, bands, Irish dancers and more, many humane societies often join the processions with dogs available for adoption, hoping the luck o' the Irish will find them homes. Chicago's South Side parade even offers a best-dressed "Irish" dog contest.

Below is a sampling of parades celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend. Start your search for a parade here or check in with your local Humane Society to see if they have special events planned around the parade in your area.

Chicago, Ill.
Take part in the South Side Irish Parade Family Fest on Sunday, March 14, which includes a parade and festival featuring the best-dressed "Irish" dog contest, live entertainment and more.

Jersey City, N.J.
March with the pups and people of Liberty Humane to show your support at the 48th Annual Jersey City St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 14.

Norfolk, Va.
March with pooches of the Norfolk SPCA at the 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 13.

Phoenix, Ariz.
Look for the basset hounds and bloodhounds from Arizona Basset Hound Rescue at the 26th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Faire on Sunday, March 14th.

Raleigh, N.C.
Join Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue and march with your golden or any other breed of dog at the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on Saturday, March 13.

Feel free to add your local event in the comments, and enjoy the weekend!

Tags: Dogs of Ireland, DogsOfIreland, Irish dogs, IrishDogs, St. Patricks Day, st. patricks day parade, St.PatricksDay, St.PatricksDayParade