Dogs dress up for fun-filled show in aid of SPCA

An annual dog show hosted by Achievers Dog Training Academy to collect food for the SPCA saw dozens of impeccably dressed four-legged contestants and their two-legged owners descend on Farrar Park Scouts Hall on October 14.

Decked out in various outfits, canines of all sizes, shapes and breeds battled it out in the one-hour fancy dress show under the theme ‘Breaking News World Wide’.

Brakpan resident Elize de Jager’s furry pair, a collie named Chiko (8) and a husky chow-mix named Mila (3), emerged the overall winners of the competition, grabbing the title from the titleholder, Mark Gertzen’s dog Buster, who last year was dressed as Tom Cruise in the Top Gun movie.
Chiko, Mila and their owner depicted the famous Facebook rapist case of Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana, dressed in doggy prison warden and convict outfits.

The overall winner, De Jager, said while she was hoping to win, she had not expected to become the overall winner considering the efforts put by the other competitors to be the best.
“I’m obviously exhilarated by the win, but the great fun at the show and helping other animals that are desperately in need of food at the SPCA means a lot to me,” said de Jager.

Tina Jansen van Rensburg’s pampered pooch Diesel, who wore an outfit titled Stage 16 load-shedding came second, Michelle van Sittert’s dog Tess, who represented Barbie and Ken, came third, fourth place was Annemarie Terblance and Stanely Terblance’s dogs Skylar and Dakota, who represented the war between Russia and Ukraine. Stan Wilson’s dogs, Sky and Storm, who represented the British coronation of Prince Charles, came fifth.

The event attracted a range of dog species, ranging from Border collies, Australian terriers, dachshunds, Labradors, mixed breeds and other breeds.
Achievers Dog Training Academy’s Steph Zietsman described the event as a success with a great turnout that created a lovely atmosphere for all, and the pooches behaved beautifully.

Zietsman pointed out that not only does the morning of fun have a cute factor and help collect food for needy animals, but it also brings the community together, provides the participants with a safe space to socialise and get their exercise while having fun and share advice on living with dogs.

“While this year’s turnout was slightly lower compared to the previous year, I’m absolutely happy with how successful this show has been since its inception in 2006.
“We are immensely grateful to everyone who attended and supported the initiative. Thank you to our team that helped to make the event a success. Thank you to our photographers, Lisa Coetzee and Corne Oberholzer, who captured beautiful pictures of the participants.”

At the end of November the academy will hold its annual prize giving, where all the accolades and prizes will be awarded for fancy dress as well as agility and obedience exams completed in August.
The winners will walk away with prizes ranging from trophies to hampers donated by a couple of local businesses.
This fancy dress event is held every year as a fundraiser for the SPCA, entry fee is a bag of dog or cat food.

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