Dog Daze applauds costumed pets at annual event

Zephyr and Azula as granny and Little Red Riding Hood take home a trophy at the 10th annual Dog Daze Canine Festival and Costume Contest, presented by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, Oct. 5. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Aldergate Park in Menifee was the site of the 10th annual Dog Daze Canine Festival and Costume Contest presented by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District on Oct. 5. Nearly 40 dogs of all shapes and sizes paraded in front of the judges with their dog parent, who was hoping to take home a trophy for their four-legged friend’s efforts.

Volunteer judges Monica Reichl, Breanna Perry and Issiah Mendez had some tough deliberations to determine winners in each category based on size. Small dogs, who weigh less than 20 pounds, made up about half of the overall entries. Medium dogs from 21-60 pounds and large dogs who weigh 61 pounds or more, rounded out the competition with four trophies awarded in each division. Dogs were chosen for the cutest, scariest, most creative and best human/pet costumes with a Judges’ Choice also presented.

Reichl is a drama teacher at Tahquitz High School in Hemet and serves on the Arts Council Menifee Board of Trustees. This is her sixth year as judge for this contest. “I love doing it because it combines three of my favorite things – costumes, theater and dogs,” she said.

Valley-Wide’s Public Information Officer Craig Shultz hosted the event and introduced Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman to say a few words of welcome to guests at the early morning event. “I want to thank Valley-Wide for doing this for our residents,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see all the participation and to see so many great costumes.”

Vendors shared information and giveaways fit for Fido during the event. Mandy Yarnall and Issiah Mendez represented the Riverside County Department of Animal Services and both work at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. They stressed the importance of pet identification as statistics show that 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime. Microchipping, ID tags on collars and keeping current photos of pets are all encouraged. The local shelter currently houses 305 dogs when it can comfortably house 280. For adoption and further information, please visit https://rcdas.org/.

Breanna Perry has been with Kahoots Pet Supply Company since 2005 and currently manages the Menifee location of the family-owned business. Food samples, toys and treats were available at her booth as well as details about the location’s dental clinic for cats and dogs, low-cost vaccinations and pet services such as nail trims and Petlink Microchips. The local store is at 29787 Antelope Rd., Suite 103. For more information, 951-566-9940 or https://kahootsfeedandpet.com/pages/kahoots-menifee.

Also sharing messaging about responsible pet ownership were staff members from Haven Pet Center in San Jacinto. One of their current adoptees was there as well as photos about several others that are currently available for adoption. The center is also seeking animal lovers who want to help improve the lives of homeless pets by volunteering their time. For more information, www.HavenPetCenter.org.

Along with visiting the vendor booths prior to the official start of the contest, pets had some friendly interaction with their competitors in several shaded areas of the park. Socialization between dogs and pet parents took place amid the upbeat music that was being played on the loudspeakers.

Ocean Marshall is a teacher and Menifee resident who entered his Irish Wolfadoodle, Clifford, in the large dog category. “He’s about 100 pounds, which is mostly fluff,” he said of his shaggy best friend who was dressed as an “L.A. Hipster” and took home the Judges’ Choice trophy. Marshall adopted the dog about two years ago from Animal Friends of the Valleys.

Michelle Ignacio and Micah Ocampo take their husky mixes Zephyr and Azula to the Aldergate Dog Park every day, but this was their first time entering the contest. It paid off with a win for the dog duo who were dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf disguised as her grandmother.

Mark and Lisa Fulgar’s four-year-old dog, Magie, was dressed as a workout queen. From her furry head in a headband to her sneakered feet, the wannabe gym rat scored big as Most Creative costumed large dog.

Amanda McIntyre entered her 15-year-old Lovie in the contest once again this year. The pretty-in-pink princess was slow to walk for the judges but was wagging when she was presented with the Judges’ Choice trophy for medium dogs.

Small division winners were cutest, Chloe and Teddy as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story; best human/pet costume, Arlo & Winnie as dinosaurs alongside a young boy wearing a furry dino head; scariest, Lucky as Crazy Killer; most creative, Charlie Brown dressed as a Slinky toy; and judges’ choice, Rex as a wizard.

Medium-sized canine winners were cutest, Luna as a pumpkin who was handled by Lahna Tomlinson dressed as a pumpkin spice latte; human/pet costume, Mochi and Samantha Pagio as Lilo & Stitch; scariest, Hazel as a spider; most creative, cowboy; and judges’ choice, Lovie in her princess costume.

The biggest winners, size-wise, were cutest, Luna and Rocky as a fairy bride and tuxedoed groom; best human/pet costume, Zephyr and Azula as Red Riding Hood and granny; scariest, Vader as a werewolf, most creative, Magie as the workout dog; and judges’ choice, Clifford as the L.A. Hipster.

Drew Dotinga, Recreation Coordinator for Valley-Wide’s Menifee center, presented trophies to the winners as they were announced. Also on hand for the annual event were Administrative Supervisor Maria Vivanco, marketing assistant Danielle Patterson and Senior Recreation Supervisor and Park Manager in Menifee, Lanay Negrete. There was also a raffle for several great prizes provided by the vendors, so the event was an overall win-win for humans and pets.

For more information, www.gorecreation.org.

Diane A. Rhodes