Annual favorite Canine Christmas in Bradenton draws even larger crowd

BRADENTON -- The annual Canine Christmas represents one of the best chances for homeless dogs to get their ultimate gift: a home.

On Saturday about 3,000 people came out for the costumes, contests, shopping for presents and even Santa. Many of them brought their dogs with them to the Bishop Animal Shelter's grounds Saturday for their favorite celebration.

And nearly a dozen people brought new dogs home with them.

Christina Lynch, of Bradenton, and her Boston terrier Nola were at the event for the first time. For them it was partly about the spectacle and partly about giving back.

"It's been a lot of fun," Lynch said. "She's had a great time."

They were taking a walk while they waited for the costume contest results. They also visited a few vendors, she said.

"She's a rescue so we like to give back and support the other rescues," she said. "She's ready to go home, but she's hoping to win a trophy."

The annual event had a few changes this year after previous organizers the Animal Network bowed out of the event. But that didn't stop Bishop from making sure the locally popular event delivered.

One change they made was not charging for parking or entry fees for contests.

"Bishop doesn't need a fund-raiser," spokeswoman and event organizer Samantha Dominis said. "We just want people here, because the more people the better chance of more animals getting adopted."

Eliminating those fees alone seemed to draw a larger crowd with an estimated 3,000 attending compared to about 2,000 previously, she said.

"We are just happy people came and they can use that money with one of the vendors," Dominis said. "It's just a community event that we want people to be able to afford."

Bishop had adopted eight dogs with only an hour left in Saturday afternoon's event. Employees said many people expressed intentions of coming back when it was less chaotic to pick out a new pet. Other rescue were having luck with adoptions or leads as well.

This year's event featured 12 animal rescues and 69 vendors including food trucks. In addition to the popular costume contest and the returning doggie fun zone obstacle course, dogs also got to compete in new events, such as the shedding contest, best kisser and musical hula hoops.

Andy, who took best in show in last year's costume contest, returned to compete again, sauntering away with a second place finish.

"He's a regular," said owner Kim Couts, of Sarasota. "This is his fifth year."

But while the costume contest is one of the highlights for Andy, Couts likes to come out and support Bishop.

"Bishop does great work in the community and for the animals," she said. "It's always a great event for Andy."

Her Pomeranian enjoyed interacting with the people more than other dogs, especially, she said, since he's an only child.

"I think he liked it," she said. "He likes all the attention."

Nicole Deffenbaugh, of Ellenton and her children Seneca and Camden, ages 3 and 5, enjoyed the doggie fun zone, almost as much as their 8-month-old puppy Cooper.

"We are just watching," she said. "I've never seen this before."

The family watched as other dogs put their speed and agility to the test in the lure-motivated obstacle course.

"I want to see it 100 times," Camden proclaimed.

Cooper wasn't competing, but struggled to sit still watching the excitement.

It was the family's first time at Canine Christmas.

"The kids enjoyed seeing all the dogs that are up for adoption," she said. "I think it's a great event. It's been very dog-friendly and all dogs have been very good."

For the Seneca the best part was the "races where only the dogs can go."

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 7:35 PM with the headline "Annual favorite Canine Christmas in Bradenton draws even larger crowd ."