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DOG CULTURE WAGS ITS TAIL AT SHOW IN WATSON CHAPEL

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 8, 2008 11:02 PM CST

A diverse group of dogs sat and milled around on the Watson Chapel High School parking lot Saturday morning, occasionally barking at each other as the school’s Key Club finished setting up for its third annual dog show to benefit the Jefferson County Humane Society.

Scooter. a 5-year-old lab-border collie mix, refuses to let go of his toy as Francis Roberts swings him around Saturday morning in the parking lot at Watson Chapel High during the dog show to benefit the Jefferson County Humane Society. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

Area residents made $1 donations to enter their dogs in particular events.

Before the informal show began, Frankie, a miniature Australian Shepherd, and Bo, a Brittany Spaniel, stood nose to nose for several seconds.

“This is the first time Frankie has done this. I guess you could say it’s his big debut,” his owner Melissa Young said. The dog, named after Frank Sinatra for his blue eyes, competed in the prettiest eyes, happiest look and shortest tail events.

“We’re a service organization, so we try do things to help the community,” Nina Hubbard, the school’s Key Club sponsor, said. “It’s just a fun thing people can come do and it gives us a way to help the humane society.”

In addition to raising money for JCHS, the event was also intended to help raise awareness of the humane society’s need of volunteers and donations.

“Our main long term goal is to one day have a brick and mortar shelter so people can come and look at dogs up for adoption. Now all of our dogs are taken care of by foster families,” Tana Pointer, JCHS volunteer said. “Our main short-term goal is to work toward having cats and dogs in the area spayed or neutered.”

“If people would spay and neuter their pets, we wouldn’t even need a humane society,” she said.

The society offers a spay and neuter program by which residents may pay a small co-pay and JCHS will access the rest of the money required through a grant.

Saidy, a Miniature Rat Terrier handled by Lori Brown, won the skinniest dog and best trick (fetching) events.

Sgt. Duak and Sgt. Prins of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, both Belgian Malinios dogs, competed successfully in the show’s smartest dog event.

The professionally trained dogs, handled by Deputies Harley Herron and John Bean, followed a series of Dutch commands winning Prins a first place ribbon and Duak took second place.

The JCHS meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 at Leon’s Catfish located at 18 Chapel Village.

Those interested in making a donation or becoming a volunteer may call 247-2677. Those interested in the society’s spay/neuter program are also encouraged to call.

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