
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 11, 1993                   TAG: 9307120253
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CELESTE KATZ STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FOR PARADING PETS, IT'S NOT THE HEAT, IT'S THE HUMILITY

Spanky the boxer wasn't particularly thrilled about having to wear a white tutu, strings of plastic beads, and a flowered headband on one of the hottest days of the summer, especially when his owners led him down through downtown Bedford for all to see. But what's a 65-pound dog to do when 8-year-old Shannon Eppers wants to be in a parade?

"No dignity at all, right, Spank?" asked his owner, Bruce Eppers of Bedford.

Spanky was one of 25 four-footed entrants in Saturday's Bedford Pet Parade, sponsored by Bedford Main Street Inc. Paraders marched their pets along South Bridge Street to the music of the Bedford Middle School Band, which, according to one member, played The Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" "at least five or six times during the parade."

Several spectators in passing cars and on the sidewalk had trouble keeping their enthusiastic pets from joining the parade without being properly registered.

The parade convened behind the middle school, where prizes of $50, $25 and $10 were awarded in four categories: best-costumed pet and owner, most unusual pet, best-trained pet and ugliest pet.

While some pets and owners marched in their usual style of dress, others went all out. Matthew Quarles, 5, and his Australian shepherd, Charlie, won an honorable mention for Matthew's beaded and fringed Native American costume with feathered headdress and Charlie's sheriff outfit, complete with hat, star-shaped badge, and gun belt.

"We're ballerinas," explained Kelsey Morris, 7. Kelsey and her cat, Cottontail, marched in colorful tulle tutus. "She loves it," said Kelsey of her pet. "She twirls around all the time."

Other pets didn't take as kindly to their costumes. Tracy Harris's 10-pound rabbit, Peaches, had a hard time keeping her straw hat on. "It got in her face, and she didn't like it," said 12-year-old Tracy.

Pets and owners were panting from the 94-degree heat by the time they reached the end of the course.

"We didn't count on this kind of weather," said parade chairman Al Grahame, adding that the event was scheduled for the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day.

"Some of the animals were a little overdressed for the heat," added Elizabeth Barry-Mosley, executive director of Bedford Main Street Inc. However, organizers provided plenty of cold water for the pets at both ends of the course.

More than $300 in prize money was distributed by the six-member panel of judges before everyone packed up their pets and headed for the shade.

Spanky did regain his dignity, however. He won second place in the "ugliest" category, and he and Shannon walked away with the blue ribbon for best costume.

And Spanky's reward?

"He'll get to stay in the air-conditioning for a while today," said an obviously proud Bruce Eppers.

by CNB