On The Cat-Walk

Paw thing on the catwalk
By ERIN PARKE - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 19 April 2007
Dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs took to the catwalk in an annual animal beauty show that featured one wee problem.

The beautiful and the bizarre were on display at Animates store at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, yesterday, with the pets sashaying down the runway to the strains of pop star Christina Aguilera. Maybe it was nerves but the only hiccup was some contestants, who would not have won a prize for toilet training.

As entrants slugged it out for the best dressed and pet-owner lookalike categories, there were high hopes for french bulldog Gucci, who wore a stylish tiara. Her owner, Ruby Perigo-Blackburn, 8, of Melrose, said it was the most fun she had had in the school holidays, though Gucci was overlooked by the judges.

Laura Neal, 6, of Karori, wanted to bring her pony, but ended up taking her collie Jessie down the catwalk. "Jessie doesn't like cats so it's lucky there are none here.'

Lizzie Deane-Jackson entered pet rat Popcorn in the lookalike category. The five-year-old from Karori says her cat is her best friend "even though he doesn't eat popcorn".