- April 18, 2024
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Some dogs got their own photo shoot during the event (Photos by Emily Blackwood).
Rocky is an independent dog who can walk himself.
Scott Hoesfsmit, 7, had his face painted.
My two favorites, Bear and Kristin (Photo by Kristin Heron).
PetSmart "chalked" Cindy Moore' s dog' s fur.
Kashmir won the dog costume contest, obviously.
Cora and Issac DiDomenico worked on the community painting (Photo by Kristin Heron).
Peggy Farmer and her pup won the Best Duo in the competition.
It probably won't surprise you to learn that Bear doesn't get out much. Though when I first adopted him, it was kind of my dream to have a dog I could take with me everywhere, Bear quickly revealed himself to be more of a wallflower than a social butterfly.
But no matter how much he wanted to stay on the couch Saturday afternoon, we were going to Dogapalooza.
The third-annual event held at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum is basically a solid two hours of dog mom heaven — meaning you get to do a bunch of stuff that you love, but your pup probably hates. Let's just say activities like fur-chalking, paw print artwork and a canine costume contest were not on Bear's bucket list.
This year (thanks to having an "in" with the museum gals), I was given the prestigious title of one of the judges of the costume contest. I, along with the amazing Nancy Lohman and the wonderful Perry-Nicholas Isch, would be deciding which canine was the most fashionable. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.
Bear was surprisingly well-behaved for most of the event. The treats, constant petting, and people taking his photo boosted his ego enough for him to act like a good boy. But sadly, as they do on most occasions, his bowels got the best of him.
I was talking to a friend when I noticed Bear had stopped moving. I looked behind me to find that he was taking a nice number two — right in the middle of the festival. Stares and gasps surrounded us, and I frantically searched my pockets for a doggy bag.
"Oh no," I whispered to Bear. "I'm out."
I started calling for help to literally anyone who would listen. After just a few seconds, an angel (or maybe she was just a woman working at one of the booths) ran over with a bag. The worst was over.
Things calmed down until the costume contest, where Bear was supposed to be sitting calmly by my side at the judges' table. I figured by then he would be so worn out from the day that he would just sleep.
But there's only one thing in this world that can give my dog a random burst of energy: food.
While Darlynn Tacinelli was introducing the first contestant, Bear started barking and growling. I tried to hush him. Unsuccessful, I looked around to see what it was that was making him so angsty.
Finally, I saw the problem. There was a woman about 10 feet away from us eating a bowl of mac 'n cheese. Bear wanted some.
I wish I could tell you that I eventually gained control over my pet or that the woman finished her lunch and all was well. But no, Bear continued to bark and growl at her every bite during the duration of the competition.
I was so ready to get him home and back on the couch that I completely forgot to apologize. So ma'am with the mac 'n cheese, if you're somehow reading this, my bad. Bear is just a big believer in sharing.
