The competition was fierce among the contestants, vying for who would be crowned the first prize winner of the Village of Farmingdale’s first annual Pet Day event. Waiting to hear the final decision, Ruby the lobster, Dakota the patriot, Harry sporting a bow and a dress, Thor the blue-eyed husky with a lightning bolt on his fur, Brooklyn the ferret and Cathy the kitten watched intently as the judging took place.
Spearheading the inaugural Pet Fair, JoAnn Napoli with Century 21 Dallow Realty in Farmingdale said she came up with the idea for a charity pet day to help raise money for the North Shore Animal League.
“Everyone has helped out to make this a success,” Napoli said. “This is the first one and we will definitely do it again next year.”
The event featured several participating businesses from the community, including Dominica 4 Restaurant, Cascarino’s and Muffins on Main Street, which donated food. The Town of Oyster Bay animal shelter even brought a kitten for adoption.
Chris Calvacca, owner of Canine Care Connection and volunteer dog trainer for Last Hope Animal Rescue in Syosset, brought his rescue dogs Rock Star and Toxin to the event to give some pointers on obedience training, behavior correction and how to better socialize your dogs.
“When dogs get adopted out I give them a free training session so that the family can adjust to their dog,” Calvacca said. “I want the dogs to be happy and the people to be happy with their dogs. That’s why people get dogs.”
The event also featured several raffles, face painting for kids, and of course… the pet fashion show.
Competing for first prize, Meredith Dulberg dressed her Bijon named Ruby up as a lobster.
“This is really her Halloween costume,” Dulberg said, “but she looked so cute in it we decided to use it again.”
Farmingdale resident Donna Huebner came dressed in red, white and blue, but had difficulty keeping Dakota, her golden doodle, dressed in its matching patriotic attire.
“She is dressed as Uncle Sam, but I guess since she is a girl it’s more like Miss America,” Huebner said.
Grace Olenik was holding her 7-year-old rescue maltese named Harry, who was sporting a bow and a dress. She said, “I think he is just adorable,” which she stated was her reasoning to enter him in the competition.
The village green became the runway, as contestants lined up at the Gazebo before strutting their stuff for the judges. After some deliberation, judges JoAnn Saul of Marketing Masters N.Y., and Jo Wider with the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, crowned a winner.
This year’s blue ribbon award was presented to Grace Olenik and her maltese Harry, who also received a basket full of goodies and treats to take home. The judges explained that among the competitors,
Harry was the clear winner, because he was the only one “brave enough to wear a dress.”
