1st Love Your Dog Show Success

Muskingum County’s four-legged friends and their two-legged owners were at Secrest Auditorium today for a tail-wagging good time.

The first Love Your Dog Show packed secrest today, especially during contest time. Kaci Larson and her pup Marley beat out stiff competition in the Littlest Dog Contest.

“I was surprised,” said Larson. “There were a bunch of dogs, that were a lot smaller than him. My boyfriend’s mom was the one who suggested it. They brought their two shelties and said why don’t you bring Marley down.”

Secrest Auditorium Manager John Kunkel says his staff came up with the idea for the show, which was very successful.

“We’re more than pleased because this was the first year we’ve ever done this and the turnout has just been tremendous,” said Kunkel. “People have been coming in all day.”

Kunkel says he’s hoping the high volume of attendees will result in the adoption of many animals looking for a new home.

“In today’s times people have to downsize and maybe sell their homes and move apartments and give up their animals,” he said. “You can look around this room and so many have said I got my dog from a shelter. There are so many rescue groups here dobermin, beagles, shepards, pugs, all trying to help move animals.”

Besides contests, the show had a host of vendors offering everything from a photo-shoot for your pet to outfits. The Muskingum County Sheriff and Zanesville Police K-9 units also demonstrated how their four-legged partners help fight crime.

And, for those of you who might be more of a cat person, on Aug. 1, secrest will host their 13th annual Cat Show.