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Paws in the Park for more than dogs
Competitors and spectators are drawn to the San Antonio festival, which raises funds to spay and neuter pets.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published September 26, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - For the record, the most fashionable pet in Pasco County on Sunday was a black poodle named Bubette.
She is 51/2 years old, named after a black Labrador from Texas named Bubba.
She beat out a tough field for the fashion title, including a hairless Chinese Crested that wore pink shades and drew comparisons to Paris Hilton and a dainty chihuahua in red feathers named Godiva.
Bubette donned a homespun outfit of pink and white frills from the Dade City Farmer's Market and a botanical visor.
"I can't believe I won," said Barbara Barber, Bubette's owner, who wore her own ensemble of pink and white.
Barber and Bubette were part of the show Sunday at San Antonio's first Paws in the Park, which drew a crowd in the hundreds - some on two feet, some on four.
The festival, organized by the San Antonio Animal Hospital and Park Place Antiques, raised funds for a drive to be held in February to encourage people to spay and neuter pets. Veterinarian Diana Mattox from the animal hospital said some 10,000 animals are euthanized every year in Pasco County because of overpopulation.
Vendors paid $25 to set up booths offering training, food, fashion and sitting services for pets of all kinds.
Malinda Cooley, leader of the 4-H club Pet Pals from A-Z in Hernando County, watched over a pen holding chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Cooley said kids in the group recently returned from storm-hit Mississippi, where they bathed animals, delivered pet food and brought home 30 dogs and a cat for adoption.
"It was an adventure," said 17-year-old Aleisha Miller.
Under a shady tree sat Bob Rosengrant and his fluffy chihuahua, Murphy - named for TV's Murphy Brown.
Rosengrant and Murphy were primarily observers Sunday.
"She's not used to being out. She's a stay-at-home dog," said Rosengrant of Dade City.
Still, he loves her more than Frank Sinatra, his cat of 17 years, and Willie Nelson, a silky terrier he used to own.
"She's my friend, and we just spend time together," Rosengrant said.
Sharon Madden, San Antonio city commissioner who oversees parks, said she hopes the Paws event returns.
"I do hope that they'll do it again and make it an annual event," she said, with her white Maltese, Maddie, in her arms.
--Molly Moorhead can be reached at 352 521-6521 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6521. Her e-mail address is moorhead@sptimes.com
[Last modified September 26, 2005, 01:18:19]
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