LIME ROCK — On Sunday, June 11, Lime Rock Park in Salisbury, Conn., hosted the Little Guild’s popular “Great Country Mutt Show.”
The Guild’s biggest outreach event of the year attracted over 100 dogs and their owners, as well as crowds of dog-loving spectators. It also served as a fundraiser for the Guild: 87 preregistered dogs and 30 more day-of participants paid a $20 entry. This, plus money from sales of Guild accessories and generous donations, goes directly to their operating fund…and directly to the dogs.
Unlike the usual “Westminster” style dog show, the Country Mutt Show features a broad and delightful variety of show groups. “Best Ears”, “Waggiest Tail”, “Best Kisser” and a favorite, “Best Lap Dog Over 40 Pounds” are some of the special groups.
Judging again this year was Bill Berloni, whose specialty is training rescue dogs for theatrical work, both stage and screen. The guest host and commentator for the entire event was Richard Schlesinger, well known CBS News correspondent. He good-naturedly described the Mutt Show as “a feel good event” and “canine chaos”.
During the break between group judgings, Karen Doeblin, President of the Little Guild Board of Directors, spoke of future hopes for the Little Guild. For over 60 years the Guild has been a source of rescue, love, and placement of homeless dogs. As the need for their increased services has grown, they are outgrowing their current space on Sharon-Goshen road in West Cornwall. Plans and sketches of a proposed new facility were on display and Doeblin said the “estimated cost would be $ 4 million, and we are so happy to announce we have reached $3.75 million.” With generous foundations fully supporting the Guild, they have a plan in place and hope to start building this year.
One of the great sights at the Mutt Show is 100 plus dogs meeting, many for the first time, and nothing but wagging tails and friendly woofs. As Schlesinger said at the close, “The guiding principle here is every dog is a winner”.
