Top pets to be named in dog show

A number of Shreveport-Bossier City’s best dogs will take the stage for the seventh annual Best in Sheaux fundraiser for Robinson’s Rescue.

The fundraiser will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. March 12 at RiverView Hall, located at 600 Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport.

“Best in Sheaux brings together the best of the best – 15 worldclass dogs competing for the title of Best in Sheaux and a spot in our annual Robinson’s Rescue calendar, first-class cuisine and priceless auction items,” Dr. Andrea Everson, president and medical director of Robinson’s Rescue, said.

The winner of the Best in Sheaux dog show is decided by participant votes. Online voting for the 2016 winner will open Feb. 25 and will close the evening before the event. Voting will also be available in person during the event March 12. Each voting ballot costs $5. Voters can cast their ballot online or inperson. Last year’s winner was Pixie, a corgi mix owned by Sarah Glorioso.

Robinson’s Rescue will introduce some additional components to the event. “This year we will present a dog costume parade following each dog show contestant’s time on the runway stage,” Everson said. “Dogs and their owners will parade around the room in a costume of their choice and design.”

Presented this year by Eldorado Resort Casino, Best in Sheaux, a Live Runway Dog Show Gala, has become the beloved annual fundraiser of Robinson’s Rescue Low Cost Spay/Neuter. The event will include a live runway dog show, a shelter dog show case, unique auction items, a live band and a dinner catered by Southern Fork Catering, along with complimentary beer, wine and the Rescue’s signature Pink Poodle Martinis.

In addition, in 2016 Robinson’s Rescue will bring back several components from last year, including custom-built dog houses. “This year, we’ll be auctioning off a custombuilt dog house from Jeff Spikes, owner of iArchitecture,” Everson said. “At 3 feet in height and width, and 4 feet in length, this dog house is sure to amaze! Guests also have the opportunity to purchase a custom dog house designed by Lloyd Overdyke, engineer behind the Shreveport Dog Park.”

This year’s fundraiser will auction off “The Three Amigos,” a George Rodrigue Blue Dog print in 2016. Other auction items include jewelry and vacations opportunities.

Also back this year is the Shelter Dog Showcase sponsored by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. “The Shelter Dog Showcase was introduced to Best in Sheaux in 2015 in order to help animals from local shelters get adopted,” Everson said. “In this showcase, local animal shelters, which are sponsored by local businesses or donors, have the ability to enter a dog of their choosing into Best in Sheaux. Although these dogs don’t compete for the Best in Sheaux title, they strut their stuff on stage in hopes of finding their furrever home!” Sheriff Steve Prator will return this year as emcee, joined by former KTBS reporter Chrissi Coile.

“I love being part of an organization that directly contributes to the decrease in animal overpopulation and euthanasia in Northwest Louisiana,” Everson said. “Each day, we save lives through prevention.

Since opening, Robinson’s Rescue has spayed/neutered over 38,000 pets. “Each year, the number of animal entering and euthanized in our local animal shelters is decreasing,” Kirsten Howard, director of development and outreach, said. “Although we are not the sole reason for the decrease in intake and euthanasia, we are a big part of it.”

Everson, who has been medical director for the past seven plus years, performs more than 35 spay/neuter surgeries every day, five days a week. “The goal for 2016’s fundraiser is to raise over $100,000 in community support,” Everson said. “These funds will go directly into providing low-cost spay/neuter services to all of Northwest Louisiana.”

–Betsy St. Amant

WANT TO GO?

Pixie was the winner of Best in Sheaux last year. This year’s event will be March 12 at RiverView Hall.

Guests may purchase tickets for $75 or a table of eight for $1,000 online or at Robinson’s Rescue, located at 2515 Line Avenue in Shreveport. For more information, go to www. robinsonsrescue.org/best-insheaux/ and www.facebook.com/ events/809724539138149/.