Dogs rule

Published 4:44 am Friday, July 28, 2006

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS – The weather was perfect for the Cass County Animal Shelter Saturday for the fourth annual Animal Af-"fair." Along with those who brought their dogs to the shelter for the festivities, others dropped off bags of food as a donation for the shelter.
Beth Christie of Woof Studios of Buchanan who was taking portraits during the event, was also enlisted as a judge for the Canine Contest.
Other judges were Marcia Steffens, managing editor of the Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus and Barbara "Bonnie" Hall of Cassopolis.
Hall is a daily visitor and volunteer at the shelter, as she walks dogs in the morning.
Ribbons were presented to the winners of the Canine Contest.
Taking most talented and scooping the best dressed division was Dora, shown by Jami Suseland of Vandalia. The 3-year-old terrier was dressed as an ice cream truck, complete with a hat made of an ice cream cone.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as was evident with the winner of the most beautiful division. Sampson, an English bulldog. Sampson is owned by Larry and Virginia Roher of Cassopolis.
Voting has begun at the shelter for the "Whiskers 2006 Feline Photo Contest" and a "Bow Wow 2006 Canine Photo Contest."
The number of "votes" each animal receives, with one vote being a dime, determines the winner. Voting will continue through Dowagiac Fun Fest and Cass County Fair week at the Animal Shelter booth.
Proceeds from the Animal Af-"fair" will to be used for spay/neuter assistance to Cass County residents, veterinary assistance for shelter animals and shelter promotion.
For more information contact Judy Brown at the shelter: 445-3701 or 445-1233.
If you are interested in adopting a pet, contact the Cass County Animal Shelter at 269-445-3701, or by e-mail at ccac@cassco.org. The Shelter is located at 323 M-62 North in Cassopolis with office hours Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Adoptable and lost pets can be viewed 24 hours a day on the website at casscountymi.org. If you have lost or found a pet, contact the Shelter immediately.