Lucille, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from Midway, was the coolest dog on the block during Heber City’s “Dogs Day in the Park” at Main Street Park on Saturday morning.
She got her name from “Arrested Development,” “I Love Lucy” and a heart-shaped patch of fur on her back. Wearing pink goggles and a little helmet, sitting cozily inside a custom backpack secured to an electric skateboard, Lucille won the doggie costume contest by a landslide.
And when it comes to skating, this pup is no poser. Lucille rides about 40 miles a day with her owner, Rich Cizmas, who places his feet on either side of her. The pair have clocked around 6,000 miles in all.
Cizmas got into electric skateboarding because traditional skateboarding became harder on his body in his 50s. He said he loves losing himself in the high speeds of up to 45 mph.
“I have people all the time, neighbors and friends from church or whatnot, and they’re like, ‘Hey, I saw you, I tried flagging you down.’ And I apologize because I’m like, ‘Yeah, hey, sorry, I’m just so in the zone,’” he said.
Riding around the Heber Valley, Lucille’s become a bit of a celebrity. She gets her picture taken “half a dozen times a day” and gets much more loving on top of that.
“I’ll be at Ace Hardware. We’re looking at nuts and bolts to keep this (skateboard) running, And it’ll be the 350-pound construction guy that’s on his knees playing with her and (saying), ‘Thank you. I needed that,’” Cizmas said.
She’s even met Karl Malone, the former NBA player and owner of Karl Malone Powersports.
“Everybody knows little Lucille,” Cizmas said.
He’s thinking about creating a social media account for her because “it’s kind of chill watching a dog on a skateboard, looking at the horses and the cows and the beautiful scenery we have out here.” That, and Lucille’s career as a watchdog didn’t pan out.
Lucille wasn’t the only dog to get her laurels during the day’s festivities. Our furry friends of the Heber Valley were given the opportunity to star in a parade, run on a treadmill, frolic in a foam pit and imitate their humans in a dog/owner lookalike contest.
The winner of the latter competition was Otis. Voting through their cheers, the crowd agreed that Otis’ bullish frame, round head and stuck-out tongue in some way resembled his owner, Michael Griego.
Griego said they get it all the time. The only real difference is their tongues.
“I keep mine in,” Griego joked.
“Dogs Day in the Park” was not only for fun. It was also a test of local dogs and their owners to see whether lifting the citywide ban on dogs in public parks might be feasible.
That’s why the event also featured informative booths on pet ownership, health and adoption from organizations like Paws for Life, Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs and Wasatch Animal Clinic.
Otis, for one, was a model citizen.
“He’s a good example of bringing a dog anywhere. He’s great. He can sit down outside a restaurant. He’ll sit down and watch kids play,” Griego said. “I’d love to take him more places. But he’s totally happy just going where he can.”
An ad hoc committee formed by the City Council is considering allowing dogs on-leash in Eagle, Mill Road Estates, Cove and Private Kay Pete Murdock Jones parks, as well as off-leash in Private Key Pete Murdock Jones and Jordan parks. The ad hoc committee will not consider lifting the ban on Main Street Park except for special events. No change to the citywide ban has been made yet.
Holly Argueta, animal services coordinator for Heber Valley Animal Services, said she hopes any change in restrictions wouldn’t place too much strain on the organization’s two animal control officers, who cover the entire county themselves.
“My biggest concern is people not obeying the rules around that, letting their dogs off leash, letting their dogs on the playground where the children are and not picking up after them,” she said. “But I think if we can get enough people to be accountable and hold others accountable, I don’t think that there will be a big issue with that. I think it’s going to be a pretty awesome way for people to bring their animals out and bond better with them.”
Tarot, a standard Poodle, plays in the foam pit during the first “Dogs Day in the Park” at Heber City’s Main Street Park. Tarot is an American Kennel Club champion, United Kennel Club grand champion and best of show award winning dog. Credit: Christopher Reeves/Park Record 
Bentley, a pug, shows off his patriotism during the first “Dogs Day in the Park.” Credit: Christopher Reeves/Park Record 
Rachel Kahler, left, holds her dog Bean as Cary Hobbs conducts one of the dog contests during the first “Dogs Day in the Park.” Credit: Christopher Reeves/Park Record 
Rusty, a Native American dog breed, walks on the dogPACER treadmill during the first “Dogs Day in the Park.” Credit: Christopher Reeves/Park Record 
Enzo, a French bulldog, walks on the dogPACER treadmill. Credit: Christopher Reeves/Park Record