RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH 
Copyright (c) 2003, Richmond Times-Dispatch (used with permission)

DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 
PAGE: H-4 
SOURCE: Lea Setegn
 

              DOGS STAR AT FOURTH EXPO ALONG WITH CATS, FERRETS 

   The day was all about the  dogs.
   There were rabbits, ferrets, pigs, the occasional cat and a petting zoo,
too, but it was the hundreds of dogs in attendance that made the Henrico
Humane Society's Pet Expo fun for its roughly 2,600 visitors.
   "I just love seeing the different breeds," said Paulette Waddy, who brought
five Yorkshire terriers and a toy poodle with her to last Saturday's event.
   Greyhounds, Great Danes, poodles, pit bulls and mutts came with their
owners and brushed noses with collies, shepherds, Pomeranians, sheep dogs and
a rare Chinese crested hairless named Scarlett O'Hairless.
   Dogs could be found from one end of the Showplace to the other, nuzzling
their owners and being petted by children. Remarkably, there were no dog
fights.
   "Everybody's pets got along," said Melissa Golden, the Expo's chairwoman.
"It's just a great time for people with pets to come indoors for a day and do
things with pets and kids."
   The 4-year-old Expo aims to bring the area's pets, pet owners and pet
lovers together, particularly giving dogs a fun place to go during the winter,
Golden said.
   On Saturday, dozens of dogs had the fun of competing in a series of
contests, winning prizes in categories including "best kisser" or "fastest
tail wagger." Others showed off their skills with agility and tricks at
demonstrations and at auditions for the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of "Late
Night With David Letterman."
   Dog owners shopped for dog beds, dog T-shirts, dog keychains, dog toys,
doggie day care centers and even organic dog treats. Some Expo attendees
without dogs adopted them at Henrico Humane's adoption area.
   Michaux Holmes, who attended the Expo for the first time, didn't realize
how much fun dogs could have there. She vowed to bring Ellie, her family's
Cockapoo, next year.
   "Everyone's dogs look so nice," Holmes marveled while petting a miniature
horse with her daughter, 9-year-old Laura. "I love seeing people with their
own pets, the different sizes and breeds. It's been wonderful."
   While the dogs were the stars, cats and ferrets had a chance in the
spotlight as well. Ferrets competed in contests that included "raisin diving"
and the "paper bag escape," while cats vied for titles such as "most unusual
fur" and "best talker."
   Tilly, a cat with tortoiseshell fur, lounged in her cage with a catnip toy
after winning first place as the fattest cat and second place for her unusual
fur. She also won first prize in the costume contest, which she attended in a
bridal gown.
   It was Tilly's first Expo, and she was one of the few cats that stuck
around after the contest. Dogs are allowed to roam the Expo, but cats have to
stay in their carriers, which not all of them enjoy.
   But Tilly had a good time, according to owner Jamie Hiner, a volunteer with
Cat Adoption and Rescue Efforts who runs a pet-sitting business. "I think
we're going to keep coming," Hiner said.
   By far, the most popular experience at the Expo was getting a reading from
animal communicator Terri Chenault. Pet owners waited in line for at least an
hour to hear what their pets had to say.
   David and Pam Simmons wanted to learn what had happened to their rescued
poodle, Pierre, before he came to them in November. Chenault said that his
previous owners hadn't had time for him, which they had suspected, David
Simmons said.
   "I do believe in animal communication," Pam Simmons said. "I think animals
know how they are feeling, and sometimes people have the gift to help us
understand how they are feeling."
   To pull off an event this size, Henrico Humane needed 175 of its volunteers
to work there Saturday, in addition to many that helped with months of
planning.
   But the toughest job belonged to Boy Scout Troop 720, which volunteers
every year to clean up after the dogs.
   "We're happy the horse isn't here," said Scout Andrew Fisher, who was
pushing a bucket at the end of the day with fellow Scout Ben Stevens.
   Last year, the 14-year-olds cleaned up after the horse from Richmond's
mounted police, who was gone when their shift started this year. But dealing
with dog droppings and vomit this year was tough enough.
   "We've emptied the water about five times, and it's still dirty," Ben said.
   After their two-hour shift, the Deep Run High School students were looking
forward to forgetting their rough day.
   "I'm going home and sleeping," Ben said.
   "It's either that or video games," Andrew added.