Matt Freed, Post-Gazette "Jayke" watches the Pirates take on the Cubs at during Pup-Night at PNC Park yesterday with his owner, Suellen Vitullo of Millvale.

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Libby made history last night when she walked down a red carpet and entered PNC Park before the Pirates played the Chicago Cubs. The fawn-colored great Dane, who is bigger than some ponies, was quickly followed by 199 other dogs of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds.

The dogs and 400 people who accompanied them had seats in the Southwest Flight Deck, located under the left field score board.

Libby wasn't the first dog ever to enter PNC Park. Dogs that assist blind or handicapped people are always allowed into the park, as are police K9 dogs. But the Pirates game last night, billed as Pup-Night at PNC Park, was the first time the gates opened for dogs that are "just" pets.

Libby, 4, is owned and was accompanied by Nicole Larocco, special events coordinator at the Animal Friends shelter, which received $5 from each of the $20 tickets sold to dog owners.

"This is good for me and good for her, because tonight I get to bring my dog to work," Ms. Larocco quipped.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Pat Andrews, of Squirrel Hill, and her dog, Tegan, pose for a picture on a motorcycle outside PNC Park before last night's Pup-Night promotion. Click photo for larger image.

A party atmosphere prevailed in the dog seats. Many of the dogs -- on leashes at all times -- and their owners spent much of their time in an open patio area. Owners smiled and beamed. Dogs did a lot of tail wagging, remarkably little barking and no biting or fighting.

The dog section was equipped with many water bowls and "comfort stations" where dogs could go to do what a dog has to do. Ample supplies of plastic bags were made available to owners.

Federal Street went to the dogs for two hours preceding the game. Free games, contests and other activities were featured in an event billed as the Pup-Peroni Pup-Rally, sponsored by Del Monte's Pup-Peroni brand of dog snacks. There was no official dog census in the streets, as dogs mixed and mingled, but the block was wall-to-wall people and dogs -- at least a couple hundred dogs in addition to the canine ticket holders.

"I see a whole new season ticket base," joked Tim Schuldt, Pirates vice president of marketing sales and broadcasting, as he surveyed the sea of dogs. "We're thrilled to be here."

When the dog seats available for last night's game sold out quickly, a second pup night was scheduled for Sept 26. That one sold out within a day.

The Pittsburgh-based company made Pittsburgh the first stop on a yearlong, 39-city tour and campaign aimed at "making the world a more Pup-Friendly place," said Geoff Tanner, a Del Monte executive.

"We are kicking the campaign off in Pittsburgh because this is our home town," he said.

As part of the campaign, dozens of dogs went to work yesterday with Del Monte employees at the company's new building on North Shore Drive.

"Employee morale was at an all-time high," Mr. Tanner said. "I would challenge every business owner in Pittsburgh to try this at least once or twice a year."

People are looking for more places to go with their dogs, he said, so the company is providing events and activities for dogs and their people.

In Pittsburgh, that includes a Sept. 8 show at the Carnegie Museum of Art featuring "pup-focused work" of artists, photographers and sculptors. Dogs will be permitted in the gallery from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from Animal Friends, which will benefit from sales.

Dog-themed movies will be shown in PNC Park on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. That event is free and open to the public -- and their dogs.

Many people on Federal Street last night said they had hoped to take their dogs out to the ball game, but tickets sold out quickly.

Bailey, an 11-month-old cocker spaniel with Melissa King of Baden, took advantage of the free stuff out in the streets. He cheerfully let the event staff put a helmet on his head. Then he posed and cuddled with Captain Jolly Roger.

Other dogs appeared to be a bit leery of the Pirates mascot, but their owners stood in line to have their dog's pictures taken with the costumed character.