THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512210183
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
The Christmas dog and pony show at Holly Ridge Manor Sunday was exactly that: a dog and pony show.
The first Christmas Parade of Pets also featured such events as a pet talent show, agility contest and maze. Santa was present, posing for photographs with man's (and woman's) best friends of the four-legged variety. It was all free although attendees could make a donation to organizations such as the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Assistance League or Equi-Kids horseback riding therapy program.
``It's the first time we've done it for pets,'' said Sonny Rountree who, with his wife Jackie, owns the site on Seaboard Road where the event was held. ``We've had it for horses before. It's just to get people with dogs, dog owners, out to see the facility and have something for pets.''
The facility includes a boarding stable and veterinary hospital. Rountree provides space for the Equi-Kids program the year round.
Several hundred people dropped by during the afternoon to partake of the festivities amid holiday balloons and nutcrackers, despite temperatures that failed to climb out of the 40s into the promised 50s. A stiff wind made it feel colder but animal lovers - and animals - bundled up in sweaters and jackets scarcely seemed to notice the chill.
The parade featured pets in costumes, such as Rita Baynor's beagle, Bennie, who marched along as a Christmas tree ornament. After the parade he shed the festive globe, trading it for a bright multi-colored sweater.
``He's so embarrassed,'' said Baynor, as Bennie turned his face away while being photographed.
The agility contest, consisting of tunnels, ramps, hoops, a see-saw, and closely spaced pylons to be navigated by dogs accompanied by their masters drew about 40 entrants. K9 OBDNS on Birdneck Road set up the event.
About 40 or 50 dogs tried the maze. Susan Wagner, at the Virginia Beach SPCA's table, was shivering from the cold but gamely sticking it out. Beside her a small black nose protruded from a blanket.
``That's one of our therapy dogs,'' she explained. ``We take them into nursing homes for the residents.''
Sharon Hildebrand, and Katri and Carl Twiford manned a table set up by Paws With A Cause. Accompanying them were ``Drum,'' a big Doberman, and ``Sadie,'' a petite Manchester terrier.
``We train service dogs for the mobility-impaired and hearing dogs for the deaf,'' said Hildebrand. ``A lot of what we're doing is public recognition.''
Also represented were rescue organizations for various breeds: greyhounds, Great Danes, Shelties and Rottweilers.
``We get calls from the SPCA and other sources,'' explained Susie Fox of Portsmouth, with Great Dane Rescue. ``Most of the time someone gets one and in six months, when the dog is 60 to 80 pounds, they decide they can't keep it. We take them from puppies to adult dogs.''
Fox, who with her husband Darryl runs Foxbay Danes, had several of them with her including one resembling a small pony.
``They're all puppies,'' she said, laughing, while pointing to the big one. ``That one will grow another 30 pounds.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Rita Baynor and her beagle, Bennie, marched in the Christmas Parade
of Pets at Holly Ridge Manor. Bennie came as a Christmas ornament.
by CNB