Ahead of her dad’s 100th birthday, Alison Moore of the Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose, CA wanted to do something special. Her father, Dr. Robert Moore, spent most of the pandemic in assisted living, where visits from friends and family were a challenge.
“After our family dog passed in 2020, I began bringing my friend’s three dogs with me to see Dad,” Moore tells Rover. “They made him so happy. They were his favorite visitors, and when we’d walk in, he would light up and say, ‘there they are!'”
Moore and her family decided to host a dog parade outside her home for her lifelong dog-loving dad in honor of his big milestone. She posted an open invite on Nextdoor and social media to alert the community.
“I thought if we can get 20 or 30 dogs to stop by and say hello, that would be so special for him,” she recounts.
@carolswag247 Surprise dog parade for Pop Pops 100th birthday! #fyp #surprise #dogs ♬ original sound – CONTENT CREATION TIPS
A Community Steps Up
What Moore wasn’t expecting was a turnout of over 200 dogs and their families stopping by to wish her dad a happy birthday. A line of well-wishing dogs and their people wrapped around the block, some waiting over an hour just to give the birthday boy their best.
“This is where I get emotional,” says Moore. “We counted about 40 dogs who we knew through friends, church, and our street. The other 160 dogs arrived with people we didn’t even know, bringing balloons, hand-drawn cards, posters, and little gifts.”
Her father, a San Jose local for over 65 years, had no clue what would await him when Moore stationed him in front of her house for the surprise.
“He was so excited and surprised. He loved talking with everyone, seeing all of the kids, and getting to pet every single dog. I don’t think people really understand what that meant to him, especially after the pandemic,” Moore says.
She says her dad especially liked seeing and petting all the different breeds.
“It was amazing to see the generosity of people who didn’t even know this man,” says Moore. “They would come up and say ‘Happy Birthday, Dr. Moore! This is my dog, Taco.’ Even our mail delivery person commented that the dogs were so well-behaved and happy. She was delivering mail during the party, and there were tons of dogs wagging their tails as she walked by.”
Moore says even a couple of Rover dog walkers joined in on the fun, too!
The Kindness of Strangers (and Dogs)
As the family looks back at this unique birthday, they are still overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.
“I’m so grateful for the wonderful community that I live in, and for everyone who made this an amazing day for my dad,” Moore says, noting that when she’s running errands in town, she can’t help but wonder if the people around her were party attendees. “I just want to keep thanking them.”
Now that the excitement has subsided, Dr. Moore still enjoys visits from his favorite furry friends, including his new granddog, Millie. And, he’ll always have the memories of the day he met over 200 dogs.
“I have never seen so many wagging tails!” Dr Moore said.
Further Reading
- Meet Felix, a Train Museum’s Mascot and Mischief-Loving Mouser
- Maltipoo Is Moving Again Thanks to Rover Sitter’s Ingenious Invention
- Rescue Dogs Addison and Georgie Are the Real Life Rags to Riches Story in the Latest Production of ‘Annie’
- Pack of Pooches Called the ‘Potatoes’ Highlight the Joy of Special Needs Pets