Canine column revs up Riverfest

Riverdog parade wows judges and

spectators again at RiverFest

By RICHARD A. ROSS

richardross@riverreporter.com

NARROWSBURG, NY — What began early in the morning as a modest woof from Stella, a dog who now resides south of the border with Riverdog parade organizer Arlene Lawrence in Mexico, soon turned into a symphony of barks emanating from 25 incredibly diverse canines who had arrived to march in their costumes and vie for a chance to woo judges and spectators at this year’s RiverFest.

By shortly after 10:00 a.m., as the last of the pooches and its owner had traversed the judges’ stand after marching down the center of Main Street, the winners were announced. Muffin, a darling Shiatsu bedecked this year as a nurse to go along with her “Doctor” owner Nadege Hoeper of Shohola, PA, won Best in Show. Last year the duo dressed as bride and groom and took second.

In second place this year were a pair belonging to Doxie Divas mini-dachshunds named Kaylie and Schatzie, both adorned in camouflage outfits that included hats. They are owned by Maureen Velten of Monticello, NY. The crowd adored third place finisher Ditto, a black labrador retriever, sporting tie-dye pajamas and a peace sign. He was led to his glory by 12-year-old Madison Wiggins and her nine-year-old sister Chloe.

The funniest dog of the show was Buck, doing his best Groucho Marx impersonation with glasses, nose and a moustache. All that was missing was a cigar. Buck is owned by Sadie Borstam of Beach Lake, PA.

Click here for a photo album of all this year's canine contenders.