Let us get one thing out of the way: I am not much of a pet person.
The last cat I kept ended up dead. I still do not know what killed her, but considering that she spent most of her time outdoors rather than inside the house, I suspect she may have picked a fight with tougher neighbourhood cats and lost.
Either way, I admire people who are devoted to their pets, especially dogs, and would do almost anything to keep them happy.
Then came last Sunday, when I found myself at Hillcrest School grounds in Karen, surrounded by canines and their handlers. This was no neighbourhood meet-up but the annual Shaggy Dog Show, a much-anticipated event among dog lovers. It could easily pass for a canine fashion week, showcasing the good, the better and the very best of dogs.
Around a ring in the middle of the field, the dogs strutted their stuff in a colourful display, with some handlers going all out to dress up their four-legged companions. There were several hundred dogs at the event, although getting an exact count proved difficult.
"One handler will come with three dogs while one dog will be accompanied by five family members,"
