By Janet G. Mead

“So you think your dog’s got talent?” was the hook Ellie Crone, 15, and Kendra Link, 14, came up with to lure donors to their benefit for the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, held Saturday, May 26, at Botelle School—and it worked! More than 60 people and 20 dogs were in happy attendance.

Dog owners could choose to participate in any of the five categories: Best Tail Wag, Best Eyes, Most Affectionate, Most Terrific Trick, and Best Face Only an Owner Could Love.

As part of Northwestern Regional 7’s Kindness in Motion program Ellie and Kendra had received a “mini-grant” to put on a charity dog show to benefit the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.  This group adopts rescue dogs and then trains them to be search-and-rescue dogs. The girls both love dogs—and the fact that the dogs also help people pushed this organization’s effort into the winning spot for them.

Two experts in the field judged the contest: Dr. Kim Maynard of Litchfield Hills Mobile Vet and Ryan Craig, owner of the Berkshire Country Store—“Home of the best roast beef sandwich in the NW corner!” Ellie observed.

Ellie needed her bullhorn to call the group to order: “If we could have everyone for the Best Tail Wag line up over here [behind home plate]! Thank you! Thank you!”

One by one, the owners and their dogs trotted up to be judged.

“What’s your puppy’s name?”

“Capone!”

“OK, Capone, can you get that tail in motion?”

After the last contestant, the air was thick with tension. Kendra announced: “The judges will now consult—and then we’ll announce the winner.”

WINNER: Corky, owned by Robert Kent, custodian of Regional 7. The crowd went wild: “AW! AW! Corky! YAY, Corky!”

The prize for Best Eyes went to a large, gentle dog with huge brown eyes, Zeus, owned by Sophia Bazzano of Norfolk. By the third contest—Most Affectionate—the sun was blaring and dogs’ tongues were wagging as well as their tails. The judges took a seat on the grass, a large plastic jug of dog treats between them. Dani Ray, a student at Regional 7, approached with Blaze, a golden retriever mix. “Tail wagging was last round!” Kim Maynard admonished. “Watch out—There’s some real serious competition here!” someone shouted. The proud, though somewhat oblivious, winner was Mazy, a chocolate lab owned by McKenzie Bannerman of Norfolk.

The competition for Most Terrific Trick was merciless, leaving the judges torn between Percy’s breath-taking execution of a high five and Apollo’s flawless rendition of play dead. Apollo, owned by Holly Kelsy of Norfolk, walked away victorious.

Two contestants tied for first place in the final, harrowing category, Best Face Only an Owner Could Love: Cece, a bulldog belonging to Avery Dougan of Norfolk, and the irrepressible Percy, owned by Antonio and Lakeia Zetye of Colebrook. Cece, sporting a Batman-like wet black towel on her back, accepted her medal with equanimity. Percy was visibly thrilled with his. The winners gathered for photos and all dogs received a new, lime-green tennis ball.

The mini-grant that Ellie and Kendra had received almost covered their costs: fliers, delivered to Colebrook and Norfolk’s elementary schools; medals; bottles of water for participants; $10 PetValu gift cards, and a megaphone. Participation in the contest was free; donations were gladly accepted, both online and at the event. By the end of the day, the girls had raised more than $400.

The Kindness in Motion program was created by Judy Palmer, the superintendent of Regional 7. A few years ago she was watching Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood on CBS and saw a segment on a man with ALS, Chris Rosati. Rosati was testing the “butterfly effect” of random acts of kindness—whether the effects of one small act, such as a butterfly moving its wings, can ripple across the globe. Palmer began the mini-grant program with her own money; she soon gained the support of the school staff, then other donors. Students must write a project proposal, which is then reviewed by a committee; they document their work and present a summary at an awards ceremony. This year’s ceremony will take place on June 5, at 6 p.m., at Regional 7, and is open to the public.

Donations to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation can be made online at:
https://searchdogfoundation.giv.sh/fundraisers/fnd_65fd8a883fba6e6d

Photo by Janet G Mead.