How do they show this appreciation on an annual basis? Well, there are pet shows, the Blessing of the Animals, pooch parades, Mardi Paws and the Krewe of Barkus. The annual St. Tammany Parish Fair started as a pet show back in 1911, so this goes way back.
Here are some photographs of a dog parade at Bogue Falaya Park in the early 1990's. Click on the images to make them larger.
Link of interest: