Paws On Parade In Palatine

More than 75 dogs in every conceivable shape, size and variety marched through downtown Palatine Sunday during the Sweet Pea Pet Parade as part of the Street Fest activities.

Led by a Palatine Police golf cart, the parade gave owners a chance to show off their animals, including, a Great Dane, twin chocolate Labradors, a Great Pyrenees, an English Bulldog and a Pit Bull dressed in a tutu.

Alissa DePue, owner of the Pit Bull, who answers to the name of Stella Luna, said she dressed the pup in a tutu so people could see that all Pit Bulls are not mean.

“She is dainty,” DePue said. “She is everything that is anti-Pit Bull.”

Apparently in a move to spruce up their pets, many owners dressed their dogs in colorful bandannas. One owner even dressed his in a Chicago Bulls uniform, including shorts and a jersey.

Standing in the registration line with her Golden Retriever, Ally, Lora Falato said she had no intention of taking part in the parade when she left her home Sunday morning.

“Actually, we were out walking and I saw this, met a friend and here we are,” she said.