WEST BOYLSTON – The lawn of the Beaman Memorial Library was filled with people and pets on July 13, many having been there before; some having placed before and all won an appreciative medal in some category, even if just attention and petting at the annual Pet Show.
Goody, a past winner, returned to take best of category as Nora Cabral showed off her cat, who attracted several visits from other pet owners.
Other category winners included: Torrie Brown and her dog, Finn; Nora Hubbard and her betta fish, Lilac III; and Annie and Cecilia Jakubiak and their many stuffies, Children’s Librarian Sue Smith said after the judges had interviewed each.
Best of Show was awarded to a couple pets who were hands above the others.
Eddie and Erin Palumbo arrived with their horses, Indiana Jones and Dreams Do Come True, who both walked over a mile to attend the annual Pet Show.
A rescue dog won many friends, who were interested in meeting and possibly adopting the friendly dog.
The Palumbos are fostering Skye, who is “3 years old and great with dogs and kids,” Smith said. “She is still up for grabs.”
The pets ranged from the attention-getting horses to a wide range of dogs, some known breeds and some who did not need anything but love in their breeding.
Leo Lambert, 2, arrived with his elephant, Blue, a blue stuffed elephant somewhat smaller than a live version. Leo had snacks, but Blue didn’t get too many, and Leo took some time to check out all the other pets.
His mother, Alisha, said she used to bring her German shepherd to the library pet shows when she was younger, so Leo was continuing a tradition.
Many enjoyed the horses, who were calm as hands reached out to pet them.
Asher Conn, 21 months, of West Boylston, met a horse for the first time. Held by father, Ben, Asher greeted Dreams Do Come True, while mother Rebecca got the horse’s attention as she fed the traditional carrot to the appreciative horse.
Unlike the Westminster Dog Show, which might be considered a not-so-cheap imitation of the Beaman Pet Show, there were no hired handlers. The love of a child is all that was needed to show off traits such as the Best Behaved, which was awarded to John Shea’s dog, Finnegan.
Maggie's Food for Pets sponsored the annual event, and the nominal entrance fee went to support the Worcester Animal Rescue League.