Pet parade in Lynn a wagging tale

For Pat Hanson, the Fourth of July doesn?t start off with stars and stripes. Instead, it begins with paws and stripes.For 13 years at 49 Grant Road in Lynn, Hanson and her husband, Bob, have orchestrated an annual Independence Day dog walk – a parade where the community and its canines come bearing red, white and blue and gather together to walk in celebration.This year the celebration was not as elaborate as neighbors have known it to be. With simple decorations and a calmer tone, Hanson said that even though she was involved in the parade, she had other things on her mind as well, as her husband is sick.?He normally spreads the word and puts up flyers to really get the event across to the community,” she said. “This year it was simple, but that didn?t stop him from wanting to be a part of it. I tend to think that nothing is going to stop him.”It was with great dedication to her husband and her love of dogs that Hanson decided she would continue on with the event for this year?s Fourth of July celebration. A crowd of people arrived with their dogs, big and small. Among them and their owners were the vibrant colors of the flag and an outpouring of love for the woman and her husband who started it all.?This started out with a trip to Boston,” she said. “I had gone with my daughter. They had a big animal event there with all of these dogs showing their talents and I said to her, ?We should do something like this.? It became our event for the Fourth – it became patriotic!”?There is no budget.” Hanson said “It?s all about the love, really. People choose to donate what they want. Two of my neighbors Jim and Janet supply coffee, they help on a low-key basis.”Members of her community donate their time and money to Hanson?s cause because they truly want to and because they have this undying love for their animals. The looks of happy faces and joyful barking of the dogs keeps Hanson going..Dogs and their humans lined up in front of Hanson?s house for a group picture and as hard as it was to get a good shot, Hanson made sure she it got done. After a group shot, the dogs leading their owners began their walk around the block. In 15 minutes, everyone, dogs included, reassembled in front of Hanson?s house for refreshments.With a grin on her face, Hanson lifted her megaphone and exclaimed that it was time for the prizes to be announced. Prizes are given to Hanson to put in a gift basket and at the end of the walk, the names of the winners were shouted and individual gifts were given. For Hanson, it seemed to be all about giving and not necessarily getting.When asked about what the best part of this whole event is, she had nothing but good things to say.?To just see the neighbors and their friends interacting from all over the community? it?s such a positive thing to witness and you know what? It feels good too. I?d much rather be the helper in this than the participant and so that is why I do this.”?Pat is awesome. That?s it. She?s awesome.” Denise Iannetti, a neighbor of Pat?s said as she looked on at her pup, Tallula Bella who was dressed in pink and very much the princess of the morning.Hanson is already talking about next year.?You know, we?re all in this crazy race of life and on a day like this with all of us here celebrating the day and our dogs, we just get to walk together,” she said.