Costumed canines compete

Australian Shepherd Sheriff wins top prize

Canines donning drastically different costumes competed against one another on Saturday (May 21) at Kit Carson Park during the Taos Lilac Festival. The event was a collaboration between the festival, Stray Hearts Animal Shelter and the Taos County Chamber of Commerce.

In this non-American Kennel Club sanctioned competition, owners of the costumed canines paid the $25 registration fee to have a chance at one of the top three prizes. The dogs were judged by Mayor Pascual Maestas. Moving forward, the bylaws for the dog costume contest might have to be altered, as owner Beverly Mondragon registered a fluffy critter known more for eating carrots and their hopping form of locomotion. It was a big white rabbit named Bohdi, wearing a tiger hood concealing its otherwise conspicuously long ears. From afar, and without paying too much attention to it in its disguise, one could conceivably mistake the bunny for Coton de Tuléar or a Bolognese dog. Bohdi’s demeanor was also more dog-like than hippity-hoppity. Upon closer examination, Bohdi’s face had an austere appearance, like that of a guard dog. Mondragon’s tactic paid dividends as they walked away with the second-place trophy.

One of Bohdi’s competitors was an energetic Bichon dressed up as the DC comics heroine Wonder Woman, minus the bracelets and the lasso of truth. The white Bichon was named Tilly by owner Celeste Griego. The dog would often stand on its hind legs.

There was what appeared to be a Fox Terrier type of dog whose costume must have been the embodiment of the AAA Home Care logo, which is the outline of a home held up by three blue As. The terrier wore a bright blue shirt with the logo stamped across his body. His tag read: Mascot Max. On his back was some paw-patterned stitching in the shape of the top portion of an A.

Instead of campaigning against Michael P. Tafoya or Steve Miera Jr. in the County Sheriff’s race, an Australian Shepherd named Vicar, dressed up as a canine in sheriff’s clothing, made his case for top dog. Vicar had the grace, nobility and composure befitting an individual entrusted to provide caring law enforcement services to the residents, visitors and businesses of Taos County. While most dogs, plus that one bunny, ran circles around him, and festival goers were awestruck by the Australian Shepherd’s winning smile, Vicar remained still by his owner Taylor Gwinn’s side. Gwinn is a deputy sheriff in Taos. Her name can be seen on Vicar’s uniform.

The combination of a sharply dressed Australian Shepherd and his well-trained behavior proved effective, as Gwinn and Vicar walked away with the top place trophy.