Thirty-five entrants participated in Saturday’s seventh annual Urbanna Christmas Pet Parade and Fun Pet Show in Taber Park. The 35 figure refers to the number of human handlers participating. Since some entrants had more than one dog with them, it worked out to about 50 canines total participating in the event. Most of the dogs came clad in light-hearted Christmas-themed costumes.
The event is sponsored by the Middlesex County Kiwanis Club. Its organizer is Gloucester Kennel Club Vice President Nancy Fisk, who is also a Kiwanian. “The event underscores what a dog-friendly community Urbanna and Middlesex County is,” Fisk told the Sentinel.
Urbanna Mayor William “Bill” Goldsmith and his son, Asher Goldsmith, 12, served as judges.
Winning parade participant dogs include:
- Most Beautiful Costume — Nao and See Saw, led by Danny Lawyer
- Most Creative Costume — Coco, led by Kiki Ladendorf
- Funniest Costume — Prince, led by Shevonda Randall
- Cutest Costume — Izzy, led by Windsor Johnson
- Biggest — Kingston, led by Vicki Satterwhite
- Smallest — Tiny and Champs, led by Allison Ellwanger
- Adopted Shelter Dog — Snoopy, led by Sara Smuda
- Youngest Handler — Teddy Bear, led by Nicole Conway
Winning show participant dogs include:
- Most Wagging Tail — Chili, led by Sara Smuda
- Best Speaker on Command — Ellie, led by Lisa Walker
- Best Trick — Greta Garbo and Ellie, led by Lisa Walker
- Best Ears — Stella, led by Charlie Canozza.
- Best Down / Stay on Command — Shadow, led by Diane Reed
- Musical Sits — Luca, led by Susan Lively
- Longest Distance Traveled — Stella, led by Charlie Canozza of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Each winner received a size-appropriate dog toy and the American Kennel Club provided a dog-themed coloring book and crayons to the child winners.
Although the event is referred to as a pet parade and pet fun show, it is in practice really just for dogs. “Cats could be a major issue with the dogs, although years back we did have a pony participate,” Fisk said.
