Show Was Just Dog-Gone Fun

By Jeff Ostroth

At times, it may have looked more like David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” than the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but nothing could top the pride people showed in their canine companions. 

Seabrook’s Third Annual Strut Your Mutt Dog Show was another big success, agrees everyone who attended. An estimated 300 people turned out for the fun—including the owners and families of 30 dogs who padded across the stage of the Seabrook auditorium, performing (or not) to an always appreciative audience.

“The Perfect Trifecta”

The Strut Your Mutt event was sponsored by the Seabrook Pet Club in association with the Seabrook Resident Life office. As in years past, the event was open not only to Seabrook’s dog owners, but also to their families and the Seabrook staff.

“One of the neat things about Strut Your Mutt,” says Resident Life Director Gary Englestad, “is it achieves the perfect Trifecta at Seabrook Village: resident involvement, family involvement, and staff involvement.”

Seabrook Community Resources Manager Judy Seger also calls it “a great intergenerational event.” This year, a number of the presenters were the grandchildren of people at Seabrook

A Variety of Breeds

In keeping with the light-hearted spirit of the event, Gary donned a droopy dog-eared hat to emcee the proceedings. This year, a new feature was added.

Prior to the event, videos were shot in some Seabrook homes and also in the homes of some staff members, showing the dogs in their natural settings. These were projected onto a large screen as owners were called to bring their dogs to the stage.

Seabrook dog owners came up first, talking a little about their special pets and perhaps (if the excited pooches would cooperate) having them sit up, speak, dance, or do other tricks.

Family members and their dogs came next, followed by members of the Seabrook staff.