This festival was for the dogs, and dancing with the owners - Naples Daily News

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Maybe it was the round of “Dancing Queen.” Or maybe it was the motivating glance of a hovering masticate toy. But for 30 secs of mostly four-footed grooving, two bounding Boundary Line Collies had all the right moves.

For the most part, they even stayed on the platform that served as the phase for this dog-dancing competition, not far from the human member of their trio.

Minutes before, it had been a Lassa Apso named Hayfield who did a tail jerk to the music of the Bee Gees as North Garrison Myers occupant Carole Chrusz twined away nearby.

These were just some of the many human-canine squads to dance arm-in-paw Saturday at the 7th yearly Fall Pet Fest.

The day’s events drew 100s to the Spike Lee County Animal Services Building South of Garrison Myers, and that’s not counting all the animals with wet olfactory organs that were there, too.

The festival benefits many types of animals, and while there was at least one pet bird in the crowd, it was clear that Saturday was mostly a domestic dog day.

Wading pools and hosieries that were put out between booths served as dog-style imbibing fountains. Children had lolling linguas and achromatic olfactory organs painted on their faces, and among the saunterers in the crowd, a good figure carried tiny, dressed-up canines.

The premix of domestic dogs ranged from a Great Pyrenees to a Chihuahua. There were beagles and boxers, and Cape Coral occupant Joni Hermansen was there with five of the Cocker Spaniel Spaniels she’s currently protective for: Molly, Macy, Sally, Sandy and Lucy.

Altogether, it was a tangle of colourful leashes, splashes of drool, isolated spots of fur, sounds of panting, sniffs, barks and yips -- an ambiance Hermansen and many others there thoroughly enjoyed.

For Candy Smith, who seeks difficult to do it to the festival each year, the high spot is usually another event: the pet costume contest.

This year, she and her 10-year-old daughter, Dana, both were wowed by a pug-dog in a coney costume placed in a magician’s hat.

“Some people acquire pretty elaborate,” Ian Smith said.

As for her ain 5-year-old pug, Ziggy, she kept the costume relatively simple with a pirate-themed sweater.

Beyond the fun, the event is a great clip to pick up dog-training tips and sample pet treats, she said. The festival is also a opportunity for her to bank check at the county shelter to see if there are any pug-dogs that demand a home.

Nearby, in between sellers selling pet picture taking sessions, pet sitting and a concern offering to “leave the disgustful occupation to us,” there were many other animate beings looking for homes.

Among them was an inky blackness 3-year-old Labrador premix -- a domestic dog named Dawg.

At the Animal Safety Center booth, trainer Bobbi Robert Graves described him as a smart and gorgeous animate being who was still picking up new commands.

Finding animate beings places and raising money to assist others is much of the ground behind the event, and the contributions received at the entranceway gate will travel to the Spike Lee County Animal Care Trust Fund. The finances aid attention for abused and neglected animate beings as well as to help some pet proprietors with the costs of spaying or neutering.

With all the animate beings up for adoption, Garrison Myers occupant Ashley Bell was among those who said she was tempted to go forth the festival with a new pet.

“They’re very cute,” she said.

But she decided not to convey place a comrade for her dog, Duffy, who had just taken a speedy bath in one of the wading pools.

“I cognize one is enough for me,” she said.