More than 400 people showed up Aug. 11 to watch demonstrations of dog agility and obedience, chat with dog-related businesses and organizations, check out animal adoption opportunities and view the 85 dogs that competed in the non-traditional dog show.
Aimed at attracting the average dog owner, the dog show categories included Cutest Puppy, Best Senior Dog, Best Pair of Dogs, Best Dog Costume and Best in Size for small, medium, large and extra-large dogs. In addition, a crowd favorite was the category reserved for mutts, which event planners called Most Mysterious Mixed Breed.
The crowd got a real kick out of watching friends and neighbors show off their four-legged friends. Plus the tree-lined Waldie Plaza and the Delta breeze kept the spectators and dogs relatively cool.
Friends of Animal Services volunteer Lisa Seltmann and her dog Cody began the event by demonstrating feats of dog agility, as Cody weaved his way in and out of a series of poles, maneuvered his way through a tunnel and leapt gracefully over hurdles. Cody was a fine example of a well-trained dog.
And so was Kelly, whose owner, Ken Gove of Bark Busters Home Dog Training, demonstrated the importance and benefits of obedience before the dog show began.
Each of the 85 contestants received a "doggy bag" of goodies, a participant ribbon and a Polaroid snapshot to commemorate the event. The nine winners received a trophies and first-place ribbon donated by American Trophies, plus a $25 gift card donated by PetSmart.
Pet Food Express also sponsored the event, as did Dr. Brian Maloney of Companion Pet Hospital, whose staff wore custom-made T-shirts emblazoned with "Rivertown Dog Day of Summer."
"An event like this demonstrates just how much people love their pets," said Maloney. "And it reminds us all at Companion Pet Hospital how lucky we are to get to work with animals every day."
— Contributed by Brian Nunnally
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