Chloe, a 6-year-old yorkie checks out the activities while held by her owner Len Kiese, during the “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
For one day in October, Harry P. Leu Gardens welcomed pets for the first event of its kind. “Dog Day” was Oct. 14 and 1,544 guests accompanied by 826 dogs (on a leash, of course) were free to roam the 50-acre botanical oasis. Usually filled with families enjoying the tropical gardens, couples taking in concerts or groups watching movies on the lawn, for this particular Saturday the focus was all on man’s best friend.
Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.Orlando Commissioner and Judge Patty Sheehan receives kisses from the winner of the Best Kisser competition, Lulu, while held by her owner Erika Kleiber during the “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.Each dog received a goodie bag with a themed bandana (while supplies lasted) at the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Jessica Hannah and her shepherd Rottweiler mix Justice take a moment to relax during the “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Maverick, a long-haired dachshund, is held by owner Jeff Smith after winning the Best Dressed competition during the “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Hundreds of dog families showed up for the first “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Orlando Mayor and Judge Buddy Dyer receives kisses from one of the contestants in the Best Kisser competition during the “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens on Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Dogs pose with their owners to commemorate the first ever “Dog Day” event at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
