Despite nor’easter, Brooklyn Heights Association Dog Show goes on as planned

October 8, 2015 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Nilla won the Canine Couture category dressed in a pirate costume. Photos by Mary Frost

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The dog owners of Brooklyn Heights are a hearty breed, showing their mettle at the 2015 Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) Dog Show on Saturday, despite wind gusts of up to 40 mph from the remnants of a passing nor’easter.

A fenced-in oval made of police barriers brought in by the 84th Precinct formed the show ring in Cadman Plaza Park north of the War Memorial, as dogs of every stripe competed in categories including Waggiest Tail, Canine Couture and Fang-tastic Features.

“We’ve got all kinds of dogs here! Big dogs, little dogs, happy dogs, sad dogs,” said Dean Masello, co-emcee of the show with Shelly Colman. The pair are host Brooklyn Heights Comedy Nights at Vineapple.

Contestants formed little doggie parades before a judge’s panel made up of BHA members Judy Stanton, Charles Villacara and Rachel Antonoff, and the emcees were generous with their praise.

“There’s not an earless dog in the crowd!” gushed Colman.

“I can’t believe how many people are here since just 24 hours ago the news was telling us we might be in a hurricane,” Masello said. After a particularly heavy gust, which threatened to blow a cocker spaniel over the Brooklyn Bridge entrance ramp, he asked, “Is anyone watching the news? Has Hurricane Juaquin changed direction?”

“I think some of these dogs were rescued in Hurricane Sandy so they’re going to feel right at home today,” Colman said.

Dog show judges (from left) Judy Stanton, Charles Villacara and Rachel Antonoff.

The winners in each category are:

Waggiest Tail: Deuce

Canine Couture: Nilla

Fang-tastic Features: Mimi

Cutest Toy-Sized: Hugo

Trick for Treat: Rio

Greatest Super-sized: Bear

Best Fun-Sized: Archie

Archie was also picked as Best in Show.

Emcees Dean Masello and Shelly Colman.

A number of local merchants and service providers donated raffle prizes, and all proceeds from the event benefit the BHA.

Rocco & Jezebel For Pets provided treat bags for all of the blue ribbon winners and Perfect Paws gave all the other participating dogs a treat bag. Jack the Horse Tavern provided the grand prize for the Best in Show winner, so Archie’s owner was the lucky recipient of dinner for two there.

Other donors include Brooklyn Heights Veterinary Hospital, Brooklyn Roasting Company, Chocolate Works, City Chemist, DogBoy Inc, Gallito’s Kitchen, Henry’s End Restaurant, Juliana’s Pizza, Le Pain Quotidien, Little Dipper Pet Care, Salon Van Sickel, Wag Club, Xtend Barre and Zango Pet Care.

The BHA Show Committee included Anne Lanfman, Sara Sarakanti, Judy Stanton and Inger Yancey, and Anne Landman helped to organize; the Parks Department and the Cadman Park Conservancy publicized the event.

Little Charlotte Sorensen with mom Brooke, with English cocker spaniel Lydia, owned by Amanda Tree.