By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]

Cottonwood Heights - Easter went to the dogs during a special Easter egg hunt just for canines. In the event held on March 25 at Wheeler Historic Farm, over 125 dogs, some dressed in Easter outfits, searched the fields and nearby woods for plastic Easter eggs filled with dog treats. At the end, every dog got a special bag full of dog treats and coupons to local pet stores. 

The tradition of the dog Easter egg hunt has been going on for five years. 

“We love having people’s dogs here on leashes and people love their dogs,” said Kathleen Bailey, the director at Wheeler Historic Farm. “It’s a win-win for us.”

Each of the dogs was registered by size, and their owners could choose to search on the lawn or in the nearby woods. Each dog could find up to 10 eggs, and everyone took home a gift basket. The Easter bunny was also available for photo opportunities. 

“We sell out each year. It’s becoming more popular,” Bailey said. “I could raise the prices and they’d still come. But I won’t do that. We just love seeing the different breeds.”

Bailey said the egg hunt is an opportunity for the dogs to socialize with each other. Over the years, groups with a specific breed have come together as a group.

“There’s a group of Weimaraners,” Bailey said. “There’s also a group of Pomeranians who dress up each year. We call them the Girls.”

Debbie and Randy Jentzsch brought their two dogs, a pug named Barkley and a Coton de Tulear named Emmie, and a friend’s dog that they were babysitting, a border collie named Pilot. It was the couple’s third year coming to the annual event. 

“It’s so fun to see all the dogs, and everyone gets along,” Debbie said. “It’s so interesting to watch.” 

Debbie explained that Barkley does well each year and finds several Easter eggs, but it was Emmie’s first time.

“We’ll see how Emmie does,” Debbie said. 

Michelle Smith and her daughter drove all the way from Roy to attend the event with their basset hound Lucy. It was their second time at the hunt, but it was Lucy’s first time. Last year they took their Labrador retriever, Bella. 

“I really like it,” Smith said. “It’s fun and it’s good to get out with the dog.” 

Even though it was Lucy’s first time, Smith said she did really well.

“She did good,” Smith said. “She’d find the eggs and scratch at them.”