Tails wag, tongues flap as dogs strut their stuff
Local girl, 12, raises funds for ASPCA through dog show
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent
Those elegant, formal, New York dog shows have nothing on the competition that took place at Sayreville's dog park Saturday.

CHRIS KELLY staff A Newfoundland dog named Bear, owned by Old Bridge's Jen Hartell, tries to get friendly with Christine Rathbun, 12, of Sayreville. Rathbun served as a judge at a dog show held Saturday at Sayreville's Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve. Hallie Meister, 12, of Sayreville, organized the event to raise money for the ASPCA.

While the judges were not dressed in evening gowns, and the "small dog" section of the park may not be as impressive as the floor at Madison Square Garden, the enthusiasm and canine talent on display were no less palpable.

There were big dogs, little dogs, pure breeds and mutts. Several wore bandannas, one had a hat, and two wore cool summer dresses. Some tried to sway the judges with sloppy kisses, others showed off an impressive number of tricks. Many seemed confused, but were happy to go along with whatever their owners wanted. Drooling and tail wagging were common among the competitors; laughing and teasing among the humans.

And all of it was for a cause, raising money for the ASPCA.

Hallie Meister, 12, a seventhgrader at Sayreville Middle School, came up with the idea for the show, held at the Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve, Bordentown Avenue. Hallie, who loves dogs, was touched by a TV commercial showing images of abandoned and mistreated animals.

"When she saw that she cried, and when she stopped she said she wanted to raise money for the ASPCA," said Hallie's mother, Patti Caine.

An event like a dog show takes a lot of planning and work, but Hallie, who is a cadet Girl Scout, felt up to the challenge.

"She's very confident," her mother said.

Hallie contacted Petco and Nylabone, both of which donated treats and toys. She and her mother created doggie baskets for raffles and prizes. A family friend built a wooden booth with a colorful sign that promised dog kisses for a donation. Hallie sent out fliers and advertisements, and on the day of the show, friends such as Ryan Mulroney, of Edison, and Katie Coughlin, of Sayreville, volunteered to help.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Left: Hallie Meister, 12, of Sayreville, looks over the scoresheets of judges Megan Coughlin, 12, of Sayreville and Elizabeth Conaway, 14, of Old Bridge. Above: Dallas grabs come shade under a bench while awaiting the competition.

Hallie asked three friends to be judges. Christine Rathbun, 12, and Megan Coughlin 12, both of Sayreville, and Beth Conaway, 14, of Old Bridge sat on folding chairs petting each contestant, talking to their owners and diligently recording their impressions on clipboards.

Hallie was clear about the criteria.

"They are judging the dogs on personality, grooming and performance," she said.

Thirty dogs were entered in the show, so the competition was tough.

Ed Masser, of Sayreville, brought Baron, his showy collie-lab retriever mix. Tall and friendly, Baron has yellow lab coloring and white markings on his head, chest and toes.

Kathy Daum, of Sayreville, showed Buddy, a well-groomed and affectionate golden retriever who was down to her competitive weight after losing 12 pounds.

CHRIS KELLY staff Tonka, owned by Bob Walsh, of South River, waits to be judged during a dog show held Saturday at Sayreville's Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve. Hallie Meister, 12, of Sayreville, organized the event to raise money for the ASPCA.

"I have her on a diet, and we come here all the time, so she gets a lot of exercise," Daum said.

Bear, a brown Newfoundland, and his owner, Jennifer Hartell, of Old Bridge, wore matching straw cowboy hats.

"His breeder was going to euthanize him because his knees were so bad. We had them both replaced," Hartell said.

Jill Bednair, of Fords, didn't show her cocker spaniel, Lady, but she might have made the winners' circle if the judges had seen how she not only catches the ball, but also throws it back.

Eventually, the top three dogs were chosen.

Linda Krumbine, of Sayreville, was thrilled when Dallas, her little black pug whose tongue always hangs out, won third prize.

Daisy, a well-dressed toy fox terrier owned by Lisa Payne, of Sayreville, came in second. Daisy sat in her prize basket while Payne lifted her little paw to the people around her and said jokingly, "You like me. You really like me."

First prize went to Tonka, a Bernese mountain dog owned by Tom and Sue Walsh, of South River. Tonka is a therapy dog and has a canine Good Citizen certificate.

"The judges were really impressed with him and what he did," Hallie said.

About 60 people showed up for the event, and Meister raised a total of $300 for the ASPCA. She was happy with the success of the show.

"I would like to do another one next year," she said.

Her mother was also pleased.

"We are really grateful for the support of the dog park people. So many of them came and made donations," Caine said. "We really appreciate it."