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Dogs Have Their Day In Sun

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: February 4, 2009

Years ago, many of the pet owners at the Sun City Center Dog Park sat on benches probably growing tired watching their little children romp around the playground. Today they watch with the same wonder as their dogs let out energy, now on the fenced-in park for dogs.

Al and Jean Seifert of Sun City Center lost their dog Toby when he passed away a few months ago. They keep newspaper clippings and photographs of Toby who participated in the Sun City Center Dog Show, a lighthearted event for dog owners.

This year their dog Maggie, a black Labrador mix, will compete for best trained and best appearance in the dog show set for March 7 at Community Hall.

"We always participate in the dog show," said Jean Seifert, who helped start the Sun City Center Dog Owners Group and the dog park on the South Campus. "The dog show is everything to us. It's a big deal every year."

She said more than 50 people typically volunteer for the event.
Seifert and other members of the Dog Owners Group met up at their dog park to socialize as their dogs romped and frolicked on the half acre.

Rod Schueler of Sun City Center, a member of the group, said he typically comes to the park when there are fewer people and dogs.

"This is over the top for her," he said. "She is afraid of a big group of dogs. It intimidates her. We come at odd hours when there are not so many dogs."

Schueler said he loves having a dog park within close walking distance. His dog, Sugar, is a Welsh Corgi.

"We bought our home because it was close to the dog park," Schueler said. "We are only a block and a half away."

Mary Boyes of Sun City Center said her dog Jack, a Jack Russell Terrier, participated in the dog show last year. But this year, as chair of the event, her dog will take a year off from being in the limelight.

She said dogs compete in small, medium and large categories as well as best costumes.

"It's a fun thing," Boyes said. "They are family pets. They don't have to be pedigrees. They come out on the platform and they parade around. They do their little trick on stage and everyone claps."

She said dogs compete for the gold cup, the ultimate prize of best of show as well as ribbons and Olympic-like medals.

Dogs will be evaluated by three judges at the seventh semi-annual dog show. Boyes said they did not have a dog show last year due to scheduling conflicts, but are pleased with the date for this year's show which falls on the first Saturday in March.

She said the fenced-in dog park, hidden behind Community Hall, is open to people living in SCC and Kings Point and features a pavilion and sitting area as well as toys for dogs and doggie bags.

Jerry Millstein of Kings Point played with his dog, B.J., a 2-year-old mini poodle. He described his dog as happy and loving.

"We have had him for 10 months and we have not missed one afternoon with him," Millstein said. "He loves to play and meet other dogs. He runs and plays all the time. That's what he does."

Doors for the March 7 dog show open at 9 a.m. The two-hour show starts at 9:30 a.m.

For more information about the dog show call, Jean Seifert at, (813) 633-0657 or e-mail Mary Boyes at maryboyes@verizon.net.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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