Vicki
Administrator
Canine cuties show off at Tabor
By: THERESA HEGEL
The Intelligencer
Bella couldn't quite pull off the dainty look - despite being decked out in a shell pink poodle skirt and matching beribboned leggings.
Perhaps it was the fact that those trappings of femininity were paired with a spiked collar and a short-sleeved hoodie printed with skulls and musical notes.
Or perhaps it's because Bella is an 85-pound cane corso, a type of Italian mastiff.
Bella was one of about a dozen dogs competing Sunday in Pets on Parade at Tabor Children's Services in Doylestown Township. The pet contest was the culminating event of Tabor Days, a weekend-long fundraising festival that also included a petting zoo, kitten races, music, dog training sessions and plenty of food to satisfy both human and canine palates.
Bella's owner, Angela Vigna, of Doylestown Township, said she created the dog's costume in about two hours last week at the urging of her 13-year-old daughter.
"Part of her still thinks I'm Supermom," said Vigna, whose family lives in the caretaker's house at Tabor because her husband is the agency's facilities director. "She said, 'Oh, you can whip something up quick.' "
Other than needing a coat in winter, Bella generally disdains clothing, but she made an exception to compete for best costume at Sunday's event.
A greyhound in a lei and tiny dogs wearing fairy and angel wings perhaps didn't pose a threat, but Vigna wasn't holding her breath for victory.
"There's a little cowboy here that's awful cute," she said. "I think he's got it in the bag."
Vigna's predictions proved accurate, though the canine in question turned out to be a cowgirl.
Rachel Robinson of Doylestown Township transformed her miniature schnauzer, Lexus, into a diminutive mare. Lexus' outfit included a red cowboy hat with gold trim and a matching saddle, bridle, lasso and tasseled horsetail.
"She only goes Western," said Robinson, who added that her dog's outfit coordinates with the red and black outfit she wears to show the white Arab mare she owns.
Lexus is no stranger to praise.
"She's won lots and lots of awards," Robinson said. But, the 13-year-old dog has since retired, and "This (contest) was just for fun."
A saddled schnauzer wasn't the strangest sight at Tabor Days.
Matt and Dawn Haaz of Dublin brought their pet rabbit on a leash, although Willy ended up in Matt's arms much of the afternoon, so he wouldn't tempt the taste buds of passing pooches.
Five months old, Willy is a Flemish giant, and "he lives up to his name," Matt added.
The Haazes settled on a rabbit because their apartment doesn't allow dogs and Matt is allergic to cats. So far, they're satisfied with their choice.
"He's like a member of the family," Dawn said.
Matt and Willy took the prize in the pet-owner look-alike category.
Not everyone came to Tabor to compete. Many were there just to enjoy the various attractions, and pet owners were grateful for a place where the furrier members of their family were welcome.
"It's very pet-friendly," said Denise Guerin of Ivyland, who brought her 11-year-old daughter and 5-year-old Maltese to the event.
Water and dog treats were available at many of the booths, and plastic bags for dog waste disposal were stocked next to trash cans.
Although the pet theme is new, Tabor Days have been going on for five years, said Ariana Burrows, chief development officer for Tabor. The festival harkens back to May Day celebrations the century-old Tabor held when it used to be a home for children.
Now, Tabor provides foster care, special needs adoption and adolescent life skills training, among other services.
Funds generated from the Tabor Days event "help our work with abused or neglected children," Burrows said.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/loc.../june/01/canine-cuties-show-off-at-tabor.html
By: THERESA HEGEL
The Intelligencer
Bella couldn't quite pull off the dainty look - despite being decked out in a shell pink poodle skirt and matching beribboned leggings.
Perhaps it was the fact that those trappings of femininity were paired with a spiked collar and a short-sleeved hoodie printed with skulls and musical notes.
Or perhaps it's because Bella is an 85-pound cane corso, a type of Italian mastiff.
Bella was one of about a dozen dogs competing Sunday in Pets on Parade at Tabor Children's Services in Doylestown Township. The pet contest was the culminating event of Tabor Days, a weekend-long fundraising festival that also included a petting zoo, kitten races, music, dog training sessions and plenty of food to satisfy both human and canine palates.
Bella's owner, Angela Vigna, of Doylestown Township, said she created the dog's costume in about two hours last week at the urging of her 13-year-old daughter.
"Part of her still thinks I'm Supermom," said Vigna, whose family lives in the caretaker's house at Tabor because her husband is the agency's facilities director. "She said, 'Oh, you can whip something up quick.' "
Other than needing a coat in winter, Bella generally disdains clothing, but she made an exception to compete for best costume at Sunday's event.
A greyhound in a lei and tiny dogs wearing fairy and angel wings perhaps didn't pose a threat, but Vigna wasn't holding her breath for victory.
"There's a little cowboy here that's awful cute," she said. "I think he's got it in the bag."
Vigna's predictions proved accurate, though the canine in question turned out to be a cowgirl.
Rachel Robinson of Doylestown Township transformed her miniature schnauzer, Lexus, into a diminutive mare. Lexus' outfit included a red cowboy hat with gold trim and a matching saddle, bridle, lasso and tasseled horsetail.
"She only goes Western," said Robinson, who added that her dog's outfit coordinates with the red and black outfit she wears to show the white Arab mare she owns.
Lexus is no stranger to praise.
"She's won lots and lots of awards," Robinson said. But, the 13-year-old dog has since retired, and "This (contest) was just for fun."
A saddled schnauzer wasn't the strangest sight at Tabor Days.
Matt and Dawn Haaz of Dublin brought their pet rabbit on a leash, although Willy ended up in Matt's arms much of the afternoon, so he wouldn't tempt the taste buds of passing pooches.
Five months old, Willy is a Flemish giant, and "he lives up to his name," Matt added.
The Haazes settled on a rabbit because their apartment doesn't allow dogs and Matt is allergic to cats. So far, they're satisfied with their choice.
"He's like a member of the family," Dawn said.
Matt and Willy took the prize in the pet-owner look-alike category.
Not everyone came to Tabor to compete. Many were there just to enjoy the various attractions, and pet owners were grateful for a place where the furrier members of their family were welcome.
"It's very pet-friendly," said Denise Guerin of Ivyland, who brought her 11-year-old daughter and 5-year-old Maltese to the event.
Water and dog treats were available at many of the booths, and plastic bags for dog waste disposal were stocked next to trash cans.
Although the pet theme is new, Tabor Days have been going on for five years, said Ariana Burrows, chief development officer for Tabor. The festival harkens back to May Day celebrations the century-old Tabor held when it used to be a home for children.
Now, Tabor provides foster care, special needs adoption and adolescent life skills training, among other services.
Funds generated from the Tabor Days event "help our work with abused or neglected children," Burrows said.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/loc.../june/01/canine-cuties-show-off-at-tabor.html