PICKENS — Whether on two legs or four, Pickens residents came out in style on Saturday for Paws for Celebration, an event to meet K-9 officer Zenia, participate in the Puppy Parade and give some shelter dogs a chance at a new “fur-ever” home.

Held at the trail head at the Pickens end of The Doodle Trail, Paws for Celebration was the first time many residents had a chance to see Zenia up close and have questions answered by her partner, Officer Braden Wimpey.

“She’s a tracking dog,” he said. “So she can search for both people and drugs.”

Zenia is a Belgian Malinois and was shipped to the U.S. earlier this year from a kennel in Holland in January. After an intense training period for both Braden and Zenia, the pair hit the streets.

“She’s so pretty!” Squealed one little girl as kids gathered around to pet her. For her part, Zenia appeared to enjoy being the center of attention at the event and posed for photographs with supermodel confidence.

When asked what would become of Zenia after she retires from the department after (hopefully) many years of service, Braden said he hoped he would be permitted to keep her, but that nothing was written in stone.

“That’s a long ways off,” he said. “For now, we’re just concentrating on doing our jobs.”

But, despite all the oohs and ahhs, the event wasn’t just about Zenia — the Pickens County Humane Society was represented as well and showed up with dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Roxie, an older lab mix, had spent three years in the shelter, waiting for someone to take her home.

“She was adopted out a couple of times but they always brought her back because she had some anxiety issues,” said a PCHS volunteer. “But she’s been with us for so long she’s like our mascot now, she’s not up for adoption anymore. She’s our ambassador.”

Another dog, a Chihuahua puppy named “Trump” bounced around at the end of his leash, happy to be a part of the celebration.

“This has been a good turnout, I’m glad everyone’s having a good time,” said Becky Horace of the City of Pickens. “PetSmart donated a lot of the supplies here today too. That was really great of them.”

The Puppy Parade consisted of dogs of every age, shape and size — from a perfectly groomed pure-bred white standard poodle named “Hans” to a two-year-old scruffy mutt named “Rusty.”

On Saturday anyway, Pickens had really “gone to the dogs.”

Dogs — and their human companions — came from all over the Upstate to take part in the Paws for Celebration on Saturday.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_041.jpgDogs — and their human companions — came from all over the Upstate to take part in the Paws for Celebration on Saturday. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Chihuahua puppy “Trump” is pretty sure he has what it takes to join the force.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_051.jpgChihuahua puppy “Trump” is pretty sure he has what it takes to join the force. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Zenia, with her partner Officer Wimpey, were the star attraction on Saturday.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_076.jpgZenia, with her partner Officer Wimpey, were the star attraction on Saturday. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Zenia, a Belgian Malinois, joined the Pickens Police Dept. earlier this year.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_springfling17-173.jpgZenia, a Belgian Malinois, joined the Pickens Police Dept. earlier this year. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Roxie spent three years at the Pickens County Humane Society searching for her forever home. She now serves as the agency’s “mascot.”
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_springfling17-217.jpgRoxie spent three years at the Pickens County Humane Society searching for her forever home. She now serves as the agency’s “mascot.” Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Everybody loved “Roxie” who had been returned to the shelter several times for anxiety issues.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_springfling17-238.jpgEverybody loved “Roxie” who had been returned to the shelter several times for anxiety issues. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Zenia made her public debut at Saturday’s Paws for Celebration in Pickens.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_springfling17-243.jpgZenia made her public debut at Saturday’s Paws for Celebration in Pickens. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

“Hans” struts his stuff with his owner at the puppy parade in Pickens.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_065.jpg“Hans” struts his stuff with his owner at the puppy parade in Pickens. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.