Elvis reigns at canine contest

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT BEACH -- Elvis is still the top dog -- at least of the canine

variety.

That’s the unanimous decision of the judges at the Top Dog Fashion

Show, held in at the Newport Dunes on Saturday.

Mary Lacrosse and her Australian cattle dog, Sir Sydney, took top

honors in the Halloween costume category as well as the entire contest.

This is the ninth year that canine couture has taken center stage. In

addition to the traditional beneficiaries -- the Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Companion Pet Retreat -- this year a

new relief fund was started to aid the American Rescue Dog Assn., which

sent dogs to help rescue workers locate victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist

attack in New York City.

Fashion show organizer Frank Groff said attendance this year was

better than expected because of the lighthearted nature of the event and

the time of year.

“After these radical times, people are looking for diversion,” Groff

said. “It’s a good family-fun event, as opposed to a scary, Halloween

event.”

The contest featured various categories, such as elegant formal wear,

lingerie and master-pet look-alike.

For the look-alike contest, Patsy Campbell dressed as Mickey Mouse and

dressed her yellow lab, Holly, as Minnie Mouse in red-and-white polka dot

dress and little yellow booties. The Disney duo snagged first place.

Erin Church dressed her Daschund, Roxy the Doxy, as a hot dog,

complete with bun, mustard and relish and ended up with second place in

the Halloween costume category.

While most of the dog owners dressed their canines in unusual

costumes, Rachelle Gable outfitted her Doberman pincher, Athena, as a

fire-rescue dog to dispel negative stereotypes about the breed.

“There are a lot of negative connotations about their behavior and

character, so I wanted to reinforce the positive connotation,” Gable

said.

But it was definitely Elvis that stole the show, bedecked in a black

wig, sunglasses and a coat adorned with magenta sequined stars, hearts,

and a pink Cadillac.

And Elvis’ alter ego, Sir Sydney, is endowed with substance as well as

style. Lacrosse has taken him to visit terminally ill children at CHOC

hospital for many years, and he recently started assisting children with

physical therapy following their surgery.

Pat Guiver, president of the Orange County Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Animals, said the show helps raise awareness for the

organization’s programs, including a new service that takes care of the

pets of victims of domestic violence while they are in shelters.

-- Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .