KNYSNA NEWS - Just because one's best friend is not thorough-bred with a pedigree as long as its tail, does not mean it cannot win prizes!

On Saturday, October 12, 59 dogs, some pedigreed and others not, of all shapes and sizes took part in the Simola KAWS Fun Dog Show held at Simola Golf & Country Estate. About 75 people attended the event and an amount of R8 047 was raised.

Tessa Conte of Hunter’s Home was very proud of her Border Collie cross, 16-year-old Zara, who walked away with the first prize in the Golden Oldie category. Conte says that despite the smaller than anticipated turnout of visitors due to unpleasant wind on the day, it was lovely to be around other "dog-crazy people".

Belen Sanchez-Collins, also a Hunter’s Home resident, was pleasantly surprised when her seven-year-old Border Collie, Boxer won the Best on Show award. Boxer only has three legs after he lost his left hind leg due to a blood clot in his spine last Christmas. “Boxer is a very precious dog with a great spirit. I am very proud of him,” says Sanchez-Collins, who is an athlete. Before Boxer lost a limb, he used to love accompanying his human parents when they trained for events, sometimes running as far as 10km! After the amputation it took some time to heal, but now there is no stopping Boxer, who can already run some 200m before starting to tire.

Anna-Lize van Taak's dog, Grace, won three awards - first prize in the Best Trick category, the title of Most Obedient Dog and a third place in the Golden Oldie category. Unfortunately Van Taak was not available for comment.

The many interesting categories in which dogs could compete ensured that the event was a very special one. The pooches were ably judged by Helpus Ndlebe, who has worked for KAWS for 17 years, Dr Mark Shortreed (Knysna Veterinary Clinic) and Edith Calitz (Royal Canin).

The winners in the other categories were:

• Most Handsome: Paddington Bear (mixed breed, owned by Suzi Bilyard);
• Most Beautiful: Sushi (Chinese Crested Hairless, owned by Charlene Sprong);
• Cutest Puppy: Tazz (Australian Sheepdog, owned by Emily Dijkers);
• Mystery Mutt: Forest (owned by Stefan de Villiers);
• Waggiest Tail: Sugar (Golden Retriever, owned by Logan Dijkers);
• Best Dressed/Lookalike: Bella (Border Collie, owned by Jessica Hall).
  

View more photos here.
(Photos: Elle Photography.)

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