Staten Island dogs strut their stuff to raise funds for rescue group Published:Sunday, July 15, 20t2,8:32PM Updated:Monday, July 16, 2OL2,6:25AM ruf JillianJorgensen/Staten Island Advance HBv l -'Y.

STATENISI-AND, N.Y. -- The beergarden at Killmeyer'sOld BavariaInn went to the dogsSunday afternoon,

It was the heightof caninecouture in Charleston, as dogsmodeled their finestoutfits at the second annualStrut Your Mutt dog fashionshow. The event raisedmoney for Louie'sLegacy Animal Rescueand was hostedby Whiskersand LeoPet Care,an in-homepet-sitting and pet-careseryice.

"Theseevents are just a way to get together for a goodcause." said Loni Rudolph, who with Nicole Romagnoloowns Whiskers and Leo.

Ms. Rudolphsaid outside of parks,there aren't many dog-friendlyplaces for loversof the animals Staten Island Advance/HiltonFlores to gathertogether and socializeon StatenIsland - "Scrappy,"a 9-month-old blue nose pit bull showshis yankee colorsby - but Killmeyer'sis an exception. donninga DerekJeterjersey.

"There'snot many placeson StatenIsland that havedog-friendly beer gardens," Ms. Rudolphsaid.

But earliertoday, with dog treats and water bowlsbeing handed out -- in additionto beersand Germanfood for the humancustomers -- Killmeyer'sbeer garden was very dog-friendly.From Scrappy, the blue nosepit bull dressedas DerekJeter, to SugarBear, the goldenretriever dressed as a hula girl, costumeddogs were everywhere.

"Everydog gets lts chanceto go on stage,strut your mutt, and do a trick," Ms.Rudolph said.

Alexand FranDeFillipo of New Dorpbrought their two ShetlandSheepdogs, Alize, 8, and Shadow,7 -- andpooches pickedup the "mostcreative" prize for their costumes.Alize was wearinga t-shirt that proclaimedshe was proudto be PuertoRican, and had on a pair of Guccishades. Shadow, meanwhile, was deckedout in HarleyDavidson gear. "We lovedogs, anything that hasto do with your dog," Alex DeFilliposaid. "It's greatthat Kilmeyer'soffers this, whereyou can bringyour dog and havesomething to eat."

The dogswere all well-behaved,but if any owners had questionsabout poochesacting up, they could haveturned to RobertMachi, of BarkBusters, who helpsowners train dogsin StatenIsland and Brooklyn.

Hilton Flores Enlarge "It's a goodgroup of owners,everyone is kind of "Patrick"a 2 yr old pitbull mix sportsa hawaiianlook. (Staten Island relaxed,"Machi said. Advance/HiltonFlores)

Strut Your Mutt dog fashion show gallery (11 photos) Hisfamily usesWhiskers and Leoto watch his dogs-- three Bostonterriers and a doberman namedHarry, or as they are more colorfullyknown, Harry and the Bostons.He said it was niceto networkwith other dog owners,and to supporta goodcause.

"I love it. They havethese events pretty regularly,"he said.

Jim Kiernan,of Astoria,Queens brought his Pomeranian,Nicholas, who he rescuedthrough Louie's Legacy two years ago.The dog was namedNicholas because was savedfrom a high-killshelter just days beforeChristmas.

"Theytook him out of a high-killsituation, He was two daysaway from beingput down,"he said,as the sweetdog sat atop a bar stool."It's heartbreakingto think -- he'sa little angeland he was two daysaway."

Sincethe rescuegave him sucha great dog, he likesto give backby attendingevents and donatingmoney, he said.

Rescuesfrom other groupswere on hand,too, tsailey,an l8-month-oldAnatolian shepherd, was rescuedby Billand PatGeoghegan of Charlestonthrough PLUTO Rescue.

"We like to supportthe animalrescue groups," Bill Geoghegan said. "Bailey does like gettingout and gettingto meet all the other dogs."

Deckedout in a pretty pinkTu-tu, Baileywas awardedbest behavedin the fashionshow.

Two dachshunds,lameson and Motley,were the first placewieners -- ahemwinners -- of the fashionshow, The dogs,owned by RyanBellmier and BrittanyKeller of NewDorp, were sportingHawaiian shirts, leis, and grassskirts.

Therewere also dogs available for adoptionat the event. Ranger,a 4-year-oldshepherd mix, and Simba,a 4-year- old mastiff/Labradorretriever mix are both lookingfor permanenthomes and got to strut their stuff on the stage. NanciRichards, comedian and masterof ceremoniesat the event,is fosteringSimba while he awaitsa permanent home,along with the three dogsshe currentlyowns. While she lovedhaving Simba, she saidshe hopedhe'd find a permanentspot soon.

"I havefour dogsin my house.I'm nevergoing to get marriedwith four dogs,"Ms. Richardsjoked.

BesidesRanger and Simba,Louie's Legacy has plentymore poocheslooking for homes.At any giventime, the rescuehas about 30 dogsand catsavailable for adoptionon StatenIsland, said Mary-Ellen Rozak of Louie'sLegacy. They can be viewedonline at louieslegacy.org.

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