MARYSVILLE – Don’t try to tell Regulus that it’s a dog’s world – when it was the cat’s meow at the recent Poochapalooza at Asbery Field in Marysville.
Regulus won Best Costume at the annual dog event, dressed as a rag doll.
“You’ve heard of who let the dogs out?” event organizer Douglas Buell said. “Who let the cat in?”
Buell said he and the audience could tell it was a cat, and maybe that’s why it got some extra applause, which decided the winner.
“By the time I realized it was a cat, the event coordinator in me thought, ‘If our people let the cat in” to the contest, it needs to be judge fairly.
Sometimes, however, the crowd favorite doesn’t win.Andrea Piquet of Marysville learned that the hard way.
Her border collie Penny brought cheers from the crowd, especially on one trick where she jumped over Piquet’s back.
But because the contest was which dog could do the most tricks in 20 seconds, Penny didn’t win.
She did 11, which tied for second. Gretchen Howell’s black dachshund, Maxx Throttle of Lake Stevens, was the winner with 17.
Piquet has had Penny for about two years. She trained her for about an hour a day for one year. Now, they just brush up on their skills about 10 minutes a day. They started out on their own, but then advanced to Karen Pryor’s clicker training.
This was the first time they had entered a contest. Piquet has been working in grooming for about 10 years, but decided to take on the challenge of training because dogs’ “minds aren’t exercised” enough.
Meanwhile, for the fifth-straight year, Memphis, a great dane owned by Maria Ayrhard of Marysville, won the biggest dog contest. He was the only entrant. “The other dogs quit trying,” announcer Buell said.
Renee Miller with a Yorkie, Sonny, was the smallest dog, weighing just a few pounds.
Other highlights were a photo shoot area with costumes, and Seattle Barkery, which sold dog and human treats.
Among the vendors were Angel Care Animal Massage and Holy Cow Critters.
Karen Parnell explained that massage can comfort aging dogs, improving their quality of life. It can increase range of motion in joints, improve depressed energy levels, stimulate the nervous system and encourage muscle tone, among other benefits.
Annette Lanker talked about CPR and First Aid for pets. A kit, put in a sturdy plastic or metal box, should include: a pet First Aid book, list of phone numbers, Benadryl, towels, wash cloth, blanket, ice and hot packs, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, 1 inch-medical tape, toenail trimmer, sterile eye wash, scissors and more.
Dog races were another fun part of the 11th annual event. When those ended, Buell said, without embarrassment, “Let’s give them a round of a-paws.”
Funds raised: $12,402
Best Costume: Meghan Noecker, Seatac, and cat Regulus as a rag doll
Best Kisser: Bill Smith, Tank, Arlington
Dachshund Races: Beginners, Zoe May, Carla Grant, Lake Stevens. Intermediate/Advanced, Miss Molly, Sara Crippen, Lake Tapps
Pie-Eating: Small Dog, Monica Wolak, Watek, Mill Creek. Big Dog: Loretta Tse, Lucas, Seattle
