NORFOLK
At Ocean View's Bay Front Club on Saturday, heads swiveled and necks craned as visitors tried to catch a glimpse of the skinny sensation strutting down the pebble path.
Paris, of course, couldn't have cared less. She's used to the attention. It comes with the territory when you're a 4 -pound Chihuahua sporting pink glasses, a black Playboy bunny T-shirt, and size 0 high-top shoes zipped, with Velcro straps cinched around each pencil-thick leg.
Kim Wisneski's 4-year-old pet garnered the Best Dressed title at Saturday's Dog Days of Summer parade, which drew close to 150 people and two dozen dogs.
The event, in its second year and sponsored by the Ocean View Merchants Association, raised about $1,500 for Norfolk-based Rainbow Animal Rescue, said Glenn Russell, a co-organizer.
Gift baskets featuring pet- and human health-care products were awarded to the top three dogs in the funniest, most unusual and best-dressed outfits. Organizers also raffled homemade afghans, wine baskets and gift certificates, among other prizes, to benefit the rescue group.
For Wisneski and other pet owners at the parade, Saturday's event provided a stellar excuse for playing dress-up.
"It's just fun," said Wisneski, a 43-year-old homemaker from Portsmouth.
"It lets people know you can take it to a whole other level than just a T-shirt."
Indeed, few dogs at this show dressed in just a T-shirt.
A yellow Labrador wore a pink polka-dot thong bikini. One English bulldog squeezed into a blue "tank suit" with purple skirt - children's size 8, from Talbot s - while another dog wore a blue-straw skirt. A beagle was dressed in a bumblebee costume, with its owner wearing a beekeeper suit.
The field of contestants led Nancy Russell, one of the parade judges, to wonder whether a fourth category might be necessary.
"We should have a category for most humiliated dog, which a lot of them would qualify for."
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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Yes, it's newsworthy
With approximately 7 million animals in the United States placed in shelters yearly, the fact that $1,500 was raised for the Rainbow Animal Rescue makes this story newsworthy. It's a drop in the bucket, but they can use the money to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering dogs, spread the message that our dogs should not be disposable, and help with expenses related to placing dogs in homes.
Shame on you wyckedway for belittling the efforts of selfless folks who are picking up the pieces for our most vulnerable and innocent animals. Maybe you should visit Rainbow Animal Rescue. A dog can melt the heart of even cynics like you. I hope you're just yanking our chain to get a reaction.
I hope this event becomes an annual event and gets bigger every year.
This is news?
No teeth to it what so ever!
Sounds like fun
I'll be there next year, I didn't know about it. It sounds like silly fun, the kind I like on a hot summer saturday. Love the winning outfit!