The day after Thanksgiving Is a special day for OES and their masters who would like to dress up and participate in the Seattle Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. Doug Sawyer and Gary Faull are to be recognized for making all the arrangements with the parade committee, getting up early in the morning, and bringing the costumes to a predetermined street location so the masters can be transformed Into Toy Soldiers and the OES can be the adorned with large red bows to march in the parade. What a delight it is to see all the children along the parade route light up with smiles and laughter as the toy soldiers and their decorated OES come romping by.

One never knows what kind of weather can be expected and this year was no exception. The forecast was for rain, but we were very lucky that Doug packed clear plastic rain protection and that the rain held off mostly during the course of the parade. The sun did shine through once in awhile and the temperatures were fairly mild this year. Nothing could dampen the spirits of the OES as they seemed to thrive on the energy and excitement of the children along the parade route.

The pictures on the opposite page illustrate the preparation that goes into getting ready for the parade. The ‘Toy Solders” get fitted with their uniforms and the OES each get large bright festive red bows to wear around their necks. Next all the participants get instructions on the parade route as well as the “do’s and the don’ts” that are necessary to keep the safety of the dogs and the parade watchers along the route.

Then comes the finding of the right place for the group to line up for the the parade and then waiting for the parade to begin. Even the wait to begin is fun, as it is intriguing to see the behind the scenes activity and coordination that the parade marshals have to execute to make sure each group of bands, floats, clowns, and marching participants are in their places and ready to go on queue.

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So it is off we go when the time is right for the couple mile stroll of the marching Toy

Solders and the very energetic and enthusiastic dogs.