Staffys stampede Geelong

THE Barwon River was awash with staffordshire bull terriers last weekend, as the community came together for the inaugural Staffy Stampede.

Approximately 60 staffys, joined by more than 100 dog lovers, gathered on Sunday at the Belmont Dog Park before taking a walk together around the river.

Event organiser Laura Taylor-Payne described the stampede as “epic”.

“It was just gorgeous. There were some puppies, and it was just my [idea of] heaven,” she said.

“It was really rewarding to just see people come out together to celebrate such a beautiful breed, and just to see so many families.”

Her staffy Winnie, 2, was the inspiration behind the stampede, with Ms Taylor-Payne wanting to “give back” and organise a large playdate for the pup who has had a significant impact on her life.

The event brought together the “whole spectrum” of staffy lovers, with many attendees travelling from further afield to join the celebration.

“Everybody was just out there wanting to spend time with likeminded people that love their dogs.

“Some people had come from Mornington on the ferry that morning…and then other people had come from the eastern suburbs and had stayed overnight in Geelong and made a whole weekend of it.

“At the end, everyone was just hanging around having a chat and it was just so nice.”

Attendees were encouraged to make a donation to Stafford Rescue Victoria and each pup went home with a goodie bag of dog treats donated by the event’s sponsor, the Moolap-based Pet Corner Store.

Ms Taylor-Payne said word spread of the event online and staffy lovers from all over Australia are now eager for the stampede to become a national event.

“I just want to thank staffy owners for coming out and celebrating our breed,” she said.

The Staffy Stampede will return next year.

To make a donation to Stafford Rescue Victoria, head to staffordrescuevictoria.org.au