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Dillon’s dogs work their magic at annual Marina Mutt Contest

CAITLIN ROW
summit daily news
Summit Daily/Mark Fox
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DILLON – Dogs of all shapes, colors, breeds and sizes hung out with their owners Monday afternoon at the Dillon Marina. Why? For the Marina Mutt Contest, of course. And they worked their magic, looking extra cute with costumes, tricks and lots of love for everyone.

As both a fundraiser for League for Animals and People of the Summit (LAPS) and an end-of-summer celebration, the dog-friendly Labor Day tradition was free to all and featured three contests – best trick, best howl and best pet/owner look-alike. Winners took home fun prizes.

“It’s a fun, low-key dog contest,” Dillon Marina staffer Shannon Jakoby said. “Dogs come from all over the country, and it raises awareness for LAPS.”



There were definitely dogs from all over too – Colorado, Texas, Georgia and Missouri. And some even wore costumes – balloons, a tie-dye T-shirt and a hot-dog outfit, to name a few.

According to LAPS volunteer Susan O’Brien, money raised through the event goes toward the local nonprofit’s spay and neuter program, as well as its low-income medical assistance.



“They do a lot for our community,” said town spokeswoman Susan Fairweather.

“And it brings dog lovers together,” said Laurie Cushner, another event volunteer.

One family, the Kynes, said they decided to participate this year after stumbling upon the event a year ago.

“We had so much fun watching it last year, we thought we’d join in this year and embarrass ourselves,” said Patti Kyne, with a smile.

The Kynes, Colorado residents, were in town for the weekend, visiting their vacation home in the High Country.

Patti, along with her two kids – Aodhan and Aisling, her husband Martin, and their three dogs – Alloh, Buttercup and Lucky, were all smiles as they showed off their dogs’ good manners in the trick contest. Lucky even knew how to dance.

Rick Ritchie, another Labor Day participant at the marina, brought his own mutt Mudslide for some fun in the sun. Mudslide planned to compete in the tricks contest as well.

“We’re going to do commands,” he said. “We’ll see what she’ll do. She has ADD though. She may not do anything.”

SDN reporter Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.


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