In the News

CONNECTICUT POST- September 2008
Dog Day Afternoon in Oxford
Pooches take center stage as event returns

OXFORD – Max’s tongue was hanging out. He was watching every move of every ball his owner was carrying with panting anticipation.
It was an exciting day for Max, a yellow lab among a slew of dogs of all sizes and shapes and dog lovers who attended the Dog Days of Oxford Community Day on Saturday at the Oxford Center School field.

“ We had a lot of fun” said Patti Stevens, of Oxford, owner of Max and Zoe, a golden retriever. “ I wish they’d have more things like this. The dogs want to meet each other”.

There were tiny terriers, prominent Pyrenean mastiffs and even a leashed cat that acted like a dog at the all-day event, according to Marlies Sullivan, one of five organizers.

“ The cat sits like a dog – it interacts with everybody” she said laughing. The cat is walking around like it belongs here”.

Sullivan said this was the biggest annual event’s nine years, with vendors roughly doubling to about 120 this year from 60 two years ago, and hundreds of attendees from all over the state.

“ It was absolutely great” she said. “ People came out in droves”
In 2006, the annual event raised $11,000 for homeless animals in the area, Sullivan said, and this year “ I expect we’ll go much higher than that”.

Amy Bothwell, of Oxford, master of ceremonies for the day, said the money raised Saturday will go toward renovating or possibly replacing the no-kill Oxford Animal shelter.

“ The dog pound is in shambles” she said. “ It’s in disrepair, and it needs a whole new facility”.

Last year, there was no Dog Days due to a field scheduling conflict in June, so from now on the event will be held in September, Sullivan said.
The day’s activities included doggy competitions for titles like ‘ best kisser’ and ‘ best tail wagger’.

“ We had so many dogs in the “most handsome” contest we didn’t know where to put them” she said.

Charlie, a Pomeranian from Oxford, took that one home. The “ most glamorous” was an elderly English setter named Dee, and the “ best tail wagger” was a Boston terrier/boxer mix named Jake, Bothwell said.

“ Best lap dog” was a giant great Dane named Panzer,” she said. “That dog sat right on her lap. He put his back end right on her – it was hysterical”

VOICES- September 24, 2008
Oxford’s Dog Days ‘Best Ever’
By Leda Quirke

OXFORD – It had threatened to rain on Saturday, September 13, and that made organizers of Dog Days of Oxford Community Day a little frantic.

But the weather cooperated and the Oxford Dog Pound Committee and hordes of volunteers who participated said that this year’s event was probably the best one ever.

Attendance was estimated in the thousands. Every possible space in the Oxford Center School parking lot and those in nearby properties, including the Grange and Town Hall, was filled.
The food booths sold out early, leaving some hungry attendees a little nettled, but all in all, it was a very successful event, according to dog Pound Committee Chairman Marlies Sullivan.

Judging by the money it raised – about $16,000, all of it ear-marked for improvements to the local dog pound-few can argue otherwise.
The fair featured contests, demonstrations, pet adoption services, a home show and vendors selling crafts, jewelry, dog biscuits, dog collars, plants, pickles, dips and more.

Some fair-goers were content to just walk their dogs around the grounds talking with other dog owners and letting their animals socialize.
One of those milling around, Meredith Valillo of Bethany had at the end of her leash, not a dog, but an orange tabby cat.
Vern, which is the cat’s name, apparently feels very comfortable socializing with other animals.

“ She likes rabbits too”. She plays with them,” said Meredith as her cat went nose to nose with Marguerite De Francesco’s three-year old American Eskimo dog, Kota.

Meredith said Vern, a year –old male, makes a bee line for her car whenever he sees her about to get behind the wheel.
“ If I don’t take him, he starts crying. He thinks he’s a dog “ she said.
Danielle Fay’s dog, Panzer, also has an identity problem, but of a different kind. The 160-pound Great Dane thinks he’s a “ lap dog” and, in fact, placed first in the lap dog contest.

Although he had already previously received his blue ribbon prior to Voices’ arrival, Danielle, who lives in Naugatuck, and Panzer agreeably demonstrated his skill. On command, Panzer perched his hind quarters on Danielle’s lap while supporting the rest of his body on his front legs on the ground.

Like many people Voices spoke to, Danielle said she was having a good time at dog Days. She said Panzer loves to get together with other dogs, but most fairs won’t allow animals to be admitted.
Also, “ I think it’s great that the money goes to the shelters” she said.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers, who spend a few hours at the event, said she had viewed most of the contests, which included best kisser, most glamorous, best vocals and best costume.

Among the last was her daughter Jill’s two-year old Yorkie, Piper. “ He’s my first grand-dog” said Mrs. Drayton-Rogers of the diminutive canine dressed as an Oxford Wolverine cheerleader.

Mrs. Drayton-Rogers said she was happy that the weather cooperated and the turnout of both fairgoers and vendors was excellent.
“ It turned out to be a perfect day” she said.

Tracy Yanosky of Bethlehem and Katie miller of Oxford, among the approximately 160 vendors who set up booths said business was better than anticipated. The two were representing The Wholesome Pet from Bullet Hill Road in Southbury, which sells holistic pet foods and pet supplies.

Tracy said she appreciated the variety of vendors that were represented and thought the event was well organized.
Under her tent two of her five dogs, both Chihuahuas, rested in their enclosure.

“ They’ve been around the grounds a couple of times and they’re pooped out right now” Tracy explained.

“ From what I heard from the vendors,” who this year included area businesses showcasing their wares, “ they did very well,” said Mrs. Sullivan after the event.

Mrs. Sullivan said she was particularly grateful to the people who came forward to volunteer their services both prior to and on the day of the event.

Among them was Veterinarian Dr. Brad Davis of the Davis Companion Animal Hospital in Woodbury, who spent the day judging contests.  Mrs. Sullivan said the only changes she would make in future Dog Days events was making sure more programs and more food were available.  Also, organizers may have to consider using shuttle buses next year to alleviate what turned out to be a shortage of parking spaces, she said.