THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510170086
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
While ``Elvis'' sang the last few bars of ``Heartbreak Hotel,'' Charlie Mitchell and his dog, Dusty, sat on a concrete planter to the side of the courtyard at Southern Shopping Center, anxiously waiting their turn in the limelight.
Although Dusty stared blankly off into the gathered crowd of 75 pets, their owners and bemused spectators, Mitchell was getting excited.
The Forest Park retiree didn't really believe he would win this pet lookalike contest. No, he just wanted to prove to his wife that he had enough nerve to do it.
``The more my wife hollered at me, the more I was determined to do it,'' said Mitchell, a retired Navy parade be parade be ief. ``She got really mad at me. But I think we look alike. Don't you?''
With tongues panting, Mitchell and the 4-year-old Boston terrier struck a deadpan pose for those nearby.
As several adults giggled their agreement, 4-year-old Brandy Coren started to laugh.
``Mommy, look at the man and the doggie,'' the Oakdale Farms girl exclaimed. ``They're funny.''
That's just what the Southern Shopping Center merchants were hoping for when they planned the Pet Lookalike contest. They wanted to give their shoppers a few laughs during a daylong anniversary block party and craft show Saturday.
It worked.
Eight decked out pet owners showed up with kittens, a pony, a cockatiel and several dogs for the Oct. 14 contest to vie for gift certificates from Pets N Things, valued at $100, $50 and $25. Each ``team'' took a turn showing off their look-ability before three judges and the giggling audience. ``Elvis,'' aka Tim Beasley, did the commentating.
Sporting matching blonde tresses, 5-year-old Heather Joyner and her pony, Goldie, however, had little time to mug for the crowd during their turn. It was a feat for the youngster to just get her pony on stage. After several attempts at coaxing the reluctant pony, Heather solicited the help of 10-year-old Byron Webster. As Byron pushed Goldie from behind, Heather managed to pull the pony before the crowd. Someone questioned whether Goldie was not part mule.
``He's just shy,'' the girl explained simply, clearly in awe of her stubborn pet.
Lori Pauley's Siberian huskey, Kodi, was not shy at all, just frisky. Yelping and jumping up on his hind legs, Kodi performed a sort of dance for the crowd during his ``walk'' across stage. Stopping before the judges, however, he settled down long enough for them to catch the striking resemblance between owner and dog.
Both with pale blue eyes, Lori and Kod were outfitted in matching black-and-white. A 17-year-old Norfolk Christian student with raven hair and pale skin, Lori was dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt to complement Kodi's black-and-white coat.
``We go everywhere together and we get stopped all the time,'' Lori said. ``Everyone tells us we look alike.''
The judges agreed. They awarded Lori and Kodi first-place. Heather and her pony took third. Second-place went to a ``shocked'' Mitchell and Dusty.
Afterward, still stunned by his victory, the Norfolk resident couldn't stop laughing.
But just before heading for his car to go home, he managed to finally speak.
``Just you wait,'' he said, ``till my wife hears about this.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Charlie Mitchell's Boston terrier, Dusty, wasn't quite sure what to
make of Beth Goodrich's iguana, Clyde.
by CNB