SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Audio speakers blasted canine-friendly tunes, such as "Hound Dog" and "Bingo Was His Name-O," as dogs and their owners congregated, here, Aug. 13, for the third annual "Dog Days of Summer."
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii; organized the event.
About 300 people attended, according to DFMWR.
Dog Days celebrates the last days of summer, drawing dogs and their owners from throughout the island.
Owners could enter Fido in dog contests, competing for titles such as most talented, best costume and cutest.
Lira, a 3-year-old Yorkie, trotted away with the first place "Cutest" dog title. A veteran of last year's contest, she had placed second in "Dog/Owner Look-Alike" and third in "Cutest," but this year, her braids and ribbons won over the judges.
"Lira was more confident this year," said Tatiana Boyarko, Lira's owner.
Winning the title added to the excitement of having Boyarko's husband back on island. Aleksandr, a specialist assigned to Troop B, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, redeployed about two weeks ago.
He lauded DFMWR for hosting Dog Days, saying Dog Days and other DFMWR events are beneficial for families and their returning Soldiers.
Another Schofield family, Spc. Paul and Heather Offhaus, Company A, 225th Bde. Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, 25th ID, also took first place in another category, "Best Costume." Using a paintbrush and hair dye, the Offhauses decorated their boxer, Cyrus, with red, white and blue. Paul said they hadn't planned on entering the contest, but did so at the last minute.
A 3 ½ year-old English Springer Spaniel named Lightning showed the crowd she could shake hands with either paw, rocketing her to first place in the "Most Talented" category. Owner Pamela Pascala said that she and her husband, James, a specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 45th Special Troops Bn., 45th Sustainment Bde., 8th Theater Sust. Command, have taught Lightning about five or six tricks to offset Lightning's natural hunting instincts.
Pamela plans to use the $100 gift card to "pamper Lightning with a new bed and a new dress."
When not walking down the runway, canines could socialize with each other in the fenced-off dog park.
Also, working dogs from 13th Military Police Detachment, 8th MP Bde., 8th TSC, demonstrated patrol techniques for the crowd.
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