SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The petite model glided down the runway, pausing so adoring fans could admire his impeccable grooming and fashion sense.
Decked out in a pink Polo shirt and white-framed Starmaker sunglasses, he would trot away with an unprecedented three titles.
Bobby Gorgeous, a 7-year-old Pomeranian, was one of 47 entries in the second annual "Dog Days of Summer," organized by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, at Sills Field, here, Saturday.
The event, celebrating the last days of summer, drew dogs and their owners from throughout the island. Owners could enter Fido in dog contests, vying to win dog/owner look-alike, best costume, most-talented and cutest categories.
Bobby Gorgeous placed first in dog/owner look-alike, best costume and most-talented categories.
Owned by Guylynn Gia, Bobby Gorgeous was led down the runway by Gia's cousins, Lindsay Jackson, 8, and Raechel Jackson, 11. Both girls, visiting from England, matched their outfits with the one worn by Bobby Gorgeous.
While Gia created the "jump-through-the-hoop" trick for the most-talented entry, Gia credited Raechel's patience in training the dog.
Sporting an oversized, puffy red wig, Anastasia Story hoped that some of her winning magic from Dog Days 2009 would carry over to 2010. This year, though, Story doubled her chances by entering two standard red poodles, Chili and Pele, in the dog/owner look-alike category.
Chili and Story had placed second in 2009, and Story's double effort paid off this year when the red canines placed third in the category.
Tatiana Boyarko, a recent newcomer to the island, discussed the island's aloha and ohana spirit as she prepared to walk Lira, her Yorkshire terrier, down the runway in the cutest dog and dog/owner look-alike events.
"Everyone is so friendly and kind here," she said. "This my husband's first duty station, and I'm really impressed with how everyone helps each other."
Adding that she's looking forward to attending more community events during her time here. Lira placed third in the cutest dog category.
Some owners seized the opportunity to socialize their pets, as dogs could run around in portable playpens that encouraged impromptu play dates.
To offset the warm Hawaiian sun, large aluminum baking pans and plastic pools full of water were strategically placed on the ground so canines could drink or cool off.
When not watching dogs splash in water, attendees could learn more about the Army's K-9 units at a demonstration by the 13th Military Police Detachment, 8th MP Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, where Staff Sgt. Lee Martin and Sgt. Brian Diggs, demonstrated patrol training with Mandy, a military working dog.
Mandy would "attack" Martin as he role-played a bad guy running away from Diggs.
The 13th MP Det. wasn't the only Army unit supporting the event. The 25th Infantry Division Brass Band, an ensemble of the main 25th ID band, provided musical entertainment.
Spc. Chelsea Schievenin, who sang the Jackson Five's "I Want You Back," among other selections, said that the Brass Band really enjoys entertaining.
"Whether it's a small crowd or large audience, we really enjoy playing," Schievenin said. "We do a lot of old songs that the audience enjoys."
The next big FMWR community event is "Rocktoberfest," set for Oct. 8, 4 p.m., at the Nehelani, Schofield Barracks.
See additional photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-hi/sets/72157624727460612/">Flickr</a>.
Dog Days 2010 Winners
<u>Cutest Dog</u>
-1st, Guinness
-2nd, Chico
-3rd, Lira
<u>Best Costume</u>
-1st, Bobby Gorgeous
-2nd, Abby
-3rd, Rosie Pimente
<u>Dog/Owner Look-Alike</u>
-1st, Buddy Ogletree
-2nd, Lira
-3rd, Chili and Pele
<u>Most Talented</u>
-1st, Bobby Gorgeous
-2nd, Sailor Marlow
-3rd, Brock
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