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Warrenton resident Alexandra Zitzmann (left) wants her son Will to listen to the comments of the judges who declared him and his greyhound Hero winners in the Best Costume division (age 5 and younger) during the Fredericksburg Dog Festival held yesterday at Hurkamp Park.
Dogs and owners make their way along George Street during the parade portion of the Fredericksburg Dog Festival yesterday afternoon. |
By PAMELA GOULD
If the past three days are any indication, Fredericksburg should be on the fast track to being named one of the nation's most dog-friendly destinations.
Friday evening Fredericksburg inaugurated the Soggy Doggie Swimfest at Dixon Park Pool, giving canines a chance to cavort in the city pool after the human season concluded.
Saturday followed with the 311th annual Dog Mart at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds. The event originated in the late 1600s as a means for American Indians to trade items for dogs that had been brought to the New World.
And yesterday, dozens of dogs paraded from Hurkamp Park through the downtown business district and back to the park as part of the 21st annual Fredericksburg Dog Festival.
Along the way, city police stopped vehicles for the pooch-filled procession, a sight that attracted stares and smiles from downtown visitors. It also prompted the occasional bark from a neighborhood dog--apparently disgruntled at his caretaker's failure to make him part of the pack.
Back at the park, costumed and coddled canines competed for blue ribbons at the coaxing of their human companions.
Think TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" with four legs and fur.
There were sequins and satin, tulle and, of course, tiaras.
And even a few wigs.
Angel, a teacup Chihuahua, was crowned the 2009 Sweetheart Queen.
What judge could overlook the wide-eyed 11/2-pounder decked out in a satiny dress with a bright red bodice and full-length white skirt, and sporting a dark blond wig with long flowing ringlets and the requisite tiara?
She exuded royalty, even if the pointy ears poking out from her ringlets gave her a Miss Piggy-like look.
In fact, the diminutive dog deserved an award for all she'd come through.
Terry Tolley of Stafford County rescued Angel, her mother and sister from a breeder six years ago.
"She almost didn't live," Tolley said.
One entire family from Stafford got into the act.
Andrew and Donna deToll and daughters Felicity, 9, and Sierra, 7, dressed as Secret Service agents in raincoats and dark shades.
Then they dressed their black Labrador mix in pants and suit jacket and their Jack Russell terrier in a gown and soft stole, labeling them JFK-9 and Marilyn Mutt-roe.
The judges were impressed. Then again, ribbons were in abundance on this dog- and family-friendly day held to benefit the Fredericksburg Area SPCA.
Owners registered about 135 dogs for the day's contests.
Six-year-old Abbey Morello and her 8-year-old sister Kasey entered their 9-month-old Labradoodle in one of the children's contests and were thrilled when Fenway--dressed in a Boston Red Sox jersey--won the "Home Run Hitter" award.
It was the Stafford family's first visit to the Dog Festival, and parents Jessica and David Morello said it won't be the last.
"We saw an opportunity to support the SPCA and show off our dog, so we were very excited," Jessica Morello said.
They learned some lessons from their puppy's first festival.
"We're going to have to step up our outfit for next year," David Morello said.
"I'm already thinking for next year," his wife added.
Pamela Gould: 540/735-1972
Email: pgould@freelancestar.com
