Canines Take Over Island For First Dog, Pony Show
By Jessica Delaney

The Epona & Barkus Parade marched dogs of all shapes and sizes the length of the boardwalk, from just beyond Mackinac Island Public School to its end at Windermere Point.

Creativity was the name of the game at the first Epona & Barkus Parade and Dog & Pony Show............... Entrants competed for a prize in a dog and owner lookalike contest, and many went all out to garner that prize.

Costumes ranged from a hat on a Yorkshire Terrier to lilacs wound through a pony’s mane. But the standout entries were the ones that really showed out-of-the-box thinking.

“Ain’t nothing but a hound dog” was the theme behind Paul Wandrie and Carmella’s get-up for the Epona & Barkus Parade. The Elvis-inspired look won them the dog/owner lookalike contest.

Diana Dupre and Adrienne Rilenge dressed their dogs, Bonbon and Mickey, as bride and groom, and didn’t stop there. The two girls, both of whom attend Mackinac Island Public School, dressed themselves up as well, and even provided the dogs with a “Just Married” carriage.

But in the end, the grand prize went to one who wasn’t “nothing but a hound dog.” Paul Wandrie and Carmella took home first place with their Elvis impersonation. Carmella is the dog of Jason St. Onge, but was walked by Mr. Wandrie because he wanted a youth in the parade. As Mr. Wandrie said, “I got to walk her because he doesn’t have a kid.”

Diana Dupre (left) and Adrienne Rilenge embraced a wedding theme when dressing up dogs BonBon and Mickey for the Epona & Barkus Parade. The girls attend Mackinac Island Public School.

The parade drew 79 canine entries and several ponies. The dogs were organized into classes and marched along the boardwalk from its beginning just past Mackinac Island Public School to the endpoint at Windermere Point.

The conclusion of the parade marked the beginning of the Dog & Pony Show, which drew guests and speakers from across the state. Kristine Felske of Kaybee K9 Training started the show, and also stole the spotlight with her dog Brendon.

Brendon, a Sheltie, is a demonstration dog for K9 Training, and Saturday he had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate. He showed first how a Paws With A Cause Dog can help an owner by getting help, picking up dropped objects, and alerting a deaf person to an alarm. He also showed off obedience exercises and did some agility work, running and jumping over a dog obstacle course.

Another highlight of the show was Mike Morgan from Mid-Michigan Kennels K9 Training. He brought his dog, Tater, to demonstrate how Search and Rescue dogs can sniff out narcotics or bombs.

Other speakers at the show included Larry Smith of Country Road Haflingers, Wayne Bradshaw from Nutro Natural Choice Dog Food, Tasha Stielstra from Nature’s Kennel, and speakers from Greyhounds of Eastern Michigan.

A silent auction was held at the show to benefit the Dog & Pony Club. Items up for bid included ornaments from Scrimshanders, an oil painting done in Turtletown, and a “Pooch Porch” built by Ryan Lindsey and painted by John Slevin.

The porch received the highest bid of the day and was won by Ms. Felske, who was thrilled because the color goes well with the rest of her equipment.

Show organizers and founders of the Dog & Pony club Mary Slevin and Sara Chambers were also excited about the turnout at the show and parade.

“It all came from us just sitting down one night and saying we should do this,” said Sara Chambers.

Judging for the parade entries was organized by Jennifer Bloswick of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, and the show featured Island comic Stu Stuart as an emcee.