Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield. The 13th Annual Not Your Average Dog Show filled Berkshire Community College's Paterson Field House with canine competitors and their companions on Sunday afternoon, February 9. Some pooches came to compete for ribbons in events like Fastest Tail Wagger, Most Beautiful Eyes, or Best Kisser, while others stopped by to play with their pals, including many therapy dogs in training working on their social skills. Vendors were on hand to offer homemade treats for humans and dogs, groomers offered nail clipping (sorry, dogs only), and volunteers from BCC's Nursing School took free blood pressure readings (which I'm sure were excellent, as pets have been known to lower the blood pressure of their owners). Proceeds from the event benefit the BCC Foundation, which provides scholarships and hands-on learning experiences, and runs BCC's South County Center in Great Barrington. (Pictured above: Master of Ceremonies MA State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, Ring Master Gene Dellea, and Best Hair judges Barbara Alibozek and Gael Hurley.)
Tootsie, who won Best Dressed, and her agent, Rita Rochelo of Lenox; Sarah Mack, Luke Delorme and handsome Yogi.
Jill and Chuck Gianatasio and adorable, 4-month-old Finn.
Mary Ellen Morris of the Danny Boy Adoption Fund, WMDART Director Corinne McKeown and Honor Blume man the Western Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Teams booth; Marie and James Mathews, and a smiling Cholo.
Jesse Lynch, Sara Scoco and Juicy; Francesca Gigliotti, Whole Life Pet Products founder John Gigliotti and Production Manager Dave Williams.
Jill and her dog Madigan, who competed in the Best Hair category.
Wendy DeSanty of Daily Drool Bakery and Christa Abel of Bark N Cat; Lisa Parise of Pittsfield holds onto Lennie, who looks like he's got other plans.
Maryanne snuggles the lovely Tessa; Sherman the sheepdog, last year's winner of the Best Hair competition and this year's Best Eyes winner.
Edie Rodegerdts hangs onto therapy dog Michael, while Jeanine Rizzi is in charge of Dante, who's a therapy dog in training; Joan Tierney and princess Sadie.
Leroy Chessic, Gail Garland and Zuri, who's a rescue from Tennessee; Beth Barbarotta with boxer Chance at her side, and Chiquita and Munchkin snuggled in her shirt.
Emily Chasse of the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter attempts to get Riley to pose; Amy Mack, Lisa Corbett and Emily Silver of the Berkshire Humane Society's Family Dog School.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
