Paws-itively Purr-fect

By Alex Carrier, Special Correspondent
Published: June 26, 2008

Pet lovers will seize any opportunity to show how fluffy, fantastic, glamorous and grand their pets can be.  Add a chance to enjoy the company of other pets’ humans and to spend a summer afternoon in Greene County and you have all the makings of this year’s 5th Annual 4H Pet Club Pet Fashion Revue.
Under the shady branches of a grand old tree, participants and on-lookers gathered to let the pampered and well-loved pets strut their stuff.  Cats ruled with a larger representation of felines, but it was 4-month old bulldog Lola who was crowned top dog with the Best in Show win.  She accepted the honor with a typically wonderful sloppy kiss for owner Kathy Alstat. 
Despite the mix of dog and cat, there were no dust-ups and everyone was well-mannered… even the pets.  The prevailing theme appeared to be biker chic with both a cat and dog decked out in Harley regalia. 
Judges Adena George, Mick Carrier and Tish Morris had their work cut out for them choosing winners from all the entrants.  In the end, there were enough categories for everyone to go away a winner.
Greene Mountain Lake resident Cheryl Courtney saw the signs for the show and brought her two granddaughters, Mary and Erin, by to see all the pets.  “We just hopped in the car and decided to go,” said Courtney. “My five-year-old granddaughter, Mary, loves animals, and she was very excited to see them all dressed up.”
The girls even got a chance to get a little glamourous themselves with face-painting at the Lazy Daisy Ceramics’ table.  The Charlottesville business offered everyone the opportunity to immortalize their pets’ paw prints in ceramic. 
Pets exhibited talents such as “speaking,” drinking water from a spray bottle and just being adorable, cute and cuddly.  Praise and petting were abundant.
Best of all, the admission donations of pet items will be given to the Greene County animal shelter to help homeless pets find good loving families. 
4H Pet Club leader Rita Eppard said that despite the threat of thunderstorms on Saturday and a small turnout for the event, “everything went well, and we all had a good time.”
There’s no need to wait until next year to enjoy Greene County pet activities.  The 4H Clubs are regular exhibitors at the Greene County Fair in August and usually have a booth at the Labor Day Discover Virginia Festival.
Greene residents are reminded that 4H is a program for all young people and offers many different activities.