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Fur flies as mutts strut downtown
WHO'S A GOOD DOG? - Ruby the standard poodle is. Ruby won first place in the La Conner Pet Parade costume contest for her bumble bee outfit. "Ruby definitely worked the crowd," said her owner, Cynthia Wood.
Finn hovers above the red carpet, thanks to a helping hand from his parent, Gina.
WE LOVE OUR PETS FOREVER - Posters of pets passed were carried in memory of those who sat on our laps and whom we walked and cared for. La Conner pet parade organizers asked for people to submit photos of their animals now in pet heaven for these posters.
A cold wind ripped up the Swinomish Channel, swirled around Gilkey Square on Saturday and undid plans for the La Conner Pet Parade's red-carpet walk.
Still, around 50 registrants and a small crowd of intrepid pet lovers, their pets all dolled-up for photo ops, shivered down First Street from the La Conner Marina to Gilkey Square, up to Maple Hall and back to the square for judging.
Mayor Marna Hanneman was on hand and the La Conner Chamber of Commerce "made a showing."
Cameras were clicking, including Don Coyote's, beloved owner of Brodie who recently went to doggy heaven, and Ryan Hiller, photography teacher and yearbook producer at La Conner High School with his son, Madoc Hiller and his friend Jack Rose all snapping photos. (We're hoping for a 2025 pet parade calendar.)
The much-anticipated red-carpet walk was canceled due to wind. Instead, the judges checked pooches individually for first, second and third place in several categories.
Two of last year's judges, bright young Julia Rivas, age 11, and her mom's friend Marilynn Olson, who took first place for Best Family last year, returned to judge this year.
First Place for Best Costume went to Ruby, a 4-year-old standard poodle dressed as a queen bee.
"Ruby loves to strut her stuff, show off, definitely worked the crowd," owner Cynthia Wood said. Ruby and her family moved to La Conner four years ago. "We love this town; are thrilled to be part of the pet parade."
Bernadette Bishop's toy poodle, Brie, happily placed first for Happiest Pet. "She just loves to hop around," Bishop said.
George, owned by Paul Paddy, placed first in the Funniest Pet category. Sadie, owned by Kim and Russ Winkers, took first in the Most Unusual category. Annie, owned by Dennie Scott, took first in the Most Helpful category.
The afternoon ended with "You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog" and "Who Let the Dogs Out" blaring from audio speakers as the chilled crowd dragged, or were dragged by, their pets back home.
Volunteers from Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT) were on hand to accept donations to their non-profit animal rescue and adoption service. Donations are always appreciated.
Big thanks to Gina McCarthey Torpey, owner of Enchanted Locks, and the volunteers from SPOT. for putting together another fun day in La Conner.
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