Going to the dogs, apes . . .

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 13-16

   (c) By Jim Fox

   These hot and sultry dog days of summer just can’t keep a good canine down.

   Hot diggity, the “haute dogs” are returning to Toronto, while Woofa-Roo Pet Fest takes over Amherstburg.

   Haute Dog at Queen’s Quay Terminal, Aug. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Toronto waterfront is fun for both canines and their human companions.

   “Sign up your dog and strut down the Haute Dog red carpet where the ‘pawparazzi’ will be waiting to snap the perfect shot of your best friend,” says publicist Peter Ashworth.

The height of dog fashion is at Haute Dog.

   “We encourage dog owners to dress up their best friend and drop by the photo booth to have their dog’s picture taken and then spin the wheel for a chance to win great prizes,” added Queen’s Quay Terminal’s Ana Carreira.

   There are many activities under the big tent for all, including a chance to see the Lions Foundation of Canada dog trainers and guides.

   This national charity assists Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them with dog guides at no cost, amounting to more than 1,900 dogs trained since 1983.

Striking a pose and looking pretty for the camera at Haute Dog

   Breeds commonly used are Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles, for those who are allergic to dogs, Golden Retrievers and some smaller breeds.

   The doctor is in as veterinarian Slav Debski from the Harbourfront Animal Hospital answers questions about your best friend’s health and wellness.

   Then move and groove to the beats of DJ Troy Tobey on the Haute Dog dance floor.

   Follow your dog’s nose to the barbecue for hot dogs and hamburgers with a drink for $2 and all the proceeds supporting the Lions’ dog guides.

   Listen for the barking at Haute Dog, Queen’s Quay Terminal, 207 Queens Quay W. Free. Details: (416) 203-3269

   Woof, woof

   Woofa-Roo Pet Fest is billed as a “fun-filled festival” for pets and their people.

   It’s happening today and tomorrow (Aug. 13 and 14) at the Libro Complex in Amherstburg from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dock diving canines enjoy getting all wet at Woofa-Roo.

   Among the events are dock diving, flyball, the Border City Barkers Agility Club, lure coursing – for the thrill of the chase – and “Disc Dog,” with “high-flying, crowd pleasing canines.”

   The Wacky Wiener Dog Races are a popular event, on Sunday at 4 p.m., and also that day at 11 a.m. are the Windsor Police K9s demonstrating their “amazing” skills.

   There are also pony rides, specialty vendors, artisans, live entertainment, face painting, food and more.

   Inside there’s a “meet-and-greet” with other pet owners while pros at Woofa-Roo's Pet-Ucation Centre give advice and answer questions.

   Castle Lane is the children’s zone with parrots and reptiles along with a “wide selection of exotic” critters.

“Disc Dogs” are high-flying, crowd pleasing canines at Woofa-Roo Pet Fest.

   The adoption corner at the Miracle League Baseball Diamond has animals in need of forever homes and there’s a silent auction and charity contests.

   It all takes place at the Libro Complex, 3295 Meloche Rd., Amherstburg.

   Admission is $5 a person or $10 per vehicle, including all the passengers. woofaroo.com; (519) 903-5500

   Going ape

   An Orangutan Awareness Weekend on Aug. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Toronto Zoo will create awareness about the critically endangered primate.

   At the zoo’s Indo-Malaya boardwalk, there will be an zoo keeper talk at 1 p.m. each day to discuss conservation efforts to help the Sumatran orangutans at home and abroad.

   Budi, the orangutan, at the Toronto Zoo.

   It is the only Canadian zoo with Sumatran orangutans that are the exclusively Asian species of extant great apes.

   Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found only in the rainforests where there has been a drastic habitat loss.

   Sumatra is left with almost half of its forests gone in the last 25 years.

   Visitors can see an orangutan enrichment interpretive station, artifacts and artwork painted by one of the creative orangutans.

   The zoo, with more than 5,000 animals representing some 500 species, is in the east-end Rouge Valley on Meadowvale Road, north of Highway 401 at Exit 389. http://www.torontozoo.com; (416)392-5929

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca