By CLAIRE SANT
BGSU Student Contributor
At the 63rd Annual Pet Show at Needle Hall Stage, a vibrant array of pets and a crowd of locals sat and enjoyed the evening. The star of the show? An animal rescued from a kill pen, emerging as champion “Most Interesting Farm Pet.”
Bowling Green locals flocked to the show, some participating with their beloved pets, and others spectating and enjoying the weather.
Owners entered their feathery, furry or scaly pets in two of 22 categories to win a ribbon of honor and bragging rights. Some of the pets included a pigeon, some Madagascar hissing cockroaches, hedgehogs, and a snake. The event also featured its fair share of cats and dogs.
For 63 years, the city of Bowling Green has held the pet show to bring friendly competition, but most importantly, to kindle a connection between the community.
Recreation Coordinator for the City of BG, Ivan Kovacevic, hosted the show, inviting owners to come onto the stage to introduce their all-star pets.
“It’s such a fun community event that brings a lot of different people out,” he said. “It’s a different type of program compared to our usual stuff.”
The diverse array of pets “fostered” an exciting night for attendees.
Volunteer judges Karen Rader and Susy Sadoff-Obee, found their calling as animal lovers. “Right now I have three dogs, three cats, and I had a hedgehog,” Rader said. “But I’m also fostering a cat mom and three kittens.”
Sadoff-Obee said the show, while entertaining, can also encourage people to think about fostering. “I just wish more people who didn’t have pets came to this.”
Fostering can be tough, especially when the animals aren’t your typical house pet.
Local ranchers, Kathy Konrad and her granddaughter Kaylee Bishop, brought their donkey, Matilda, and pony, Stuart Little.
“I love the reactions and the kids that realize it’s a pony, and that they can get up close to them,” Konrad said.
This was not Konrad and Bishop’s first rodeo… they have been in attendance for several consecutive years, bringing a different array of farm animals. Konrad said Stuart Little was in a kill pen when he was rescued and eventually made his way to their ranch.
“We’ve come multiple years,” Konrad said. “We had a goat named Garth who was a big hit.”
Several attendees explained how they love seeing everyone’s animals.
Hailey Meeker, owner of a mastiff mix named Teddy Graham, is a testament to it. She entered Teddy Graham to win the “Largest Dog” category, which he won. Her one wish for the event is for it to be broadcast on television eventually.
“It’s so nice to see everyone appreciate their animals and show them off,” she said.
The event left smiling faces and wagging tails in its wake.
