Animal Fest was a lot of fun

On Saturday afternoon, August 19, scores of pet lovers, pet owners, and pet rescuers descended upon the Frog Plaza end of Los Pastitos to celebrate companion animals—mostly dogs and cats, but also possums. Waiting for them were numerous vendors of pet products, including Terri Rasmussen of Terri’s Tiny Tiendita, whose sales benefit Amigos. The event was organized by Lalo Rodríguez, former Amigos president who founded the rescue organization AdoptaGuanajuato.

Participants from the rescue group PAWS
Some of the merchandise on display at the event
Amigos volunteers Mary Beth Canavan and Rosemarie Conde examining items in Terry Rasmussen’s Tiny Tiendita
Lalo Rodríguez, organizer of Animal Fest

Various speakers described their organizations’ activities. A couple of firemen brought their two trained dogs onto the stage and described their skills. Dr. Luis Alberto Fernández Ferro, the veterinarian of the city’s Animal Control and Assistance Center (CECA), gave a talk about the city’s regulations of domestic animals and pet owners’ responsibilities.

Dr. Luis Alberto Fernández Ferro, veterinarian at the city’s Animal Control and Assistance Center
A Guanajuato fireman with his trained dog

Kathya Amaya, an Amigos education volunteer, hosted our event, the SuperMestizo dog contest. Kathya is a trained public speaker, and she commanded the audience’s full attention with her contagious enthusiasm for her subject. Nineteen friendly dogs participated in the contest. One by one, they stepped onto the stage with their owner or caregiver, some more willingly than others. (One was so distracted by seeing a caged possum next to the stairs that he had to be carried onto the stage.)

Each dog won a certificate praising its special attribute (happiest tail, most talented, most obedient, best costume, best dancer, most twisted ear, etc.).

Karen Robinson showing her dog Chaparra the certificate she won
Coco Linn won in the Best Costume category
This friendly dog greeted everyone

Then three dogs were awarded a prize, each prize consisting of a Kong-type ball, a high-quality grooming brush, and various dogs treats. Güera placed third; Odie placed second, and Sasha won first prize. Two of those winners were dogs rescued by a group named PAWS. All their dogs were healthy, happy, vaccinated, sterilized, and free of parasites. We hope at least some of them found a forever home before the end of the day.

Odie expressing his excitement over winning Second Place
Sasha, a PAWS rescue, placed First

A light rain late in the afternoon did not discourage the attendees, who were sheltered by large tents. The event concluded with a demonstration of fancy flag twirling that seemed to have nothing to do with animals but was fun to watch anyway.