Pooches get dressed up

CHENNAI: A recent pet carnival at the Madras Veterinary College, Vepery, on Sunday saw the city’s animal lovers participate in a variety of competitions through the day. The carnival, a part of the three day educational exhibition was inaugurated by Dr R Prabakaran, Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu, Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), and actors Senthil and Sandhya. This was followed by an impressive city police squad demo, where the dogs with their respective trainers not only paid their respects to the dignitaries present with a low bow salute, but also showcased ‘tracker’ skills as one after the other they sniffed out first a bomb, then a drug package from an array of identical suitcases placed before them. Perhaps, the most risky stunt of the morning was the fire escapade, where agile dobermans on the squad quite literally jumped through hoops of fire, holding a long dumbbell that was alight on either side, nestled securely between their jaws.Much to the delight of the gathered crowd, a similar spectacle took place in the evening, demonstrated by the Railway dog squad.With close to 200 dogs, not to mention a few persian cats registered for the line up of contests open to the public, (for both pets and their owners), there is no doubt that tails were  wagging all the way home. First on the agenda was the ‘Stylish Walk’, showcasing various breeds, from a shaggy labrador to a dainty miniature pinscher (smallest dog at the event). The best walk was awarded to Dr Aditya, with his golden retriever, while the most ‘Toothy smile’ went to Ajit and his miniature pinscher, not more than a foot tall.Although the rain did dampen things a little bit, it certainly didn’t dissuade these four-legged pets from showing off their not so often witnessed style quotient in the fancy dress competition. While one little Ireland terrier sported a T-shirt and denim shorts, it was apparent that going desi route was just as popular as another furry female contester stepped into a powder blue kurta top, with traditional neatly oiled plaits to complete the rather demure end result.For pet and master, no doubt this was a memorable day.