Yapping and barking mingle with the sound of DJ Edward Daniels at Penrose Square Outdoor Plaza on Saturday for the annual Paws on the Pike from 1-5 p.m. Photographer Alex Sakes is on site to take professional free dog portraits, and is booked solid all afternoon. A few dogs and some owners wander the grounds dressed in costumes for the contest to take place at 4 pm. Booths crowd the square including Clarendon Animal Care, Animal Welfare League, Arlington Public Library (early voting has begun), Gimmemore, VCA Animal Hospitals, and Wiggly Pooche. Bowls of water line the entrance and dog treats are available at many of the tables with information on animal control, sale of fancy harnesses, handmade dog nutty butter bites, pet hospitals and dog adoption. The event is sponsored by the Columbia Pike Partnership.

Clarendon Animal Hospital attracted children as well as their dogs with its spinning wheel and prizes for correct answers. “What is the most popular pet?” The answer comes back “dogs” (for after all this is a dog event.) “Oh no, the answer is cats. Want to play again?”This time the player wins a ball or maybe her dog wins the tennis ball?

”Everyone look at the camera. Oh well.” Ian Crostian and Anna Posada bring their Labrador retriever Scooby and their Yorkie Mylo to Paws on the Pike.     

The Arlington County Animal Control booth is crowded with people asking questions about a strange acting stray fox, a neighbor’s dog or when to call 9-1-1.