Emma dressed in cowgirl chic. Photo / Guy Rencher - @CoastalSurfImages
OPINION
The Bay of Plenty Times does not wish to court controversy, and nor does this author wish to invoke the ire of dozens of Western Bay dog owners.
But it must be said, in the name of bold and unflinching journalism: There was a Best Dog at the Doggy Day Out in Katikati today.
There were a great many good dogs at the Uretara Domain for the social event put on annually by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
There were food stalls and face-painting and obedience demonstrations and competitions - including a Western-themed best-dressed dog - but the wag-tailed canines themselves were the main attraction.
An enormously woolly dog sensibly stayed in the shade, a pug stood on tippy-claws to sniff a lofty butt and a gangly greyhound stretched out on a picnic blanket.
There were some dogs that were clearly good-hearted but less good at not jumping up.
There were great big woofers and very small dogs wearing appropriately tiny hats, such as Precious, one of our semi-finalists.
At 10 years old, the maltese was sitting atop a walker with a sporty, SunSmart sequinned blue cap wedged between two fountain-like white ears.
Not only was he a cancer survivor, he was also living proof that old dogs can learn new tricks.
Precious' talents included back-back (reverse), dance, lie down, stay and, most recently, owners John and Kitty Clark of Te Puke have been teaching him to swim.
Nearby, pomeranian/chihuahua mix Rocket was not wearing a hat but he was wearing a Woody-lookalike cowboy who was wearing a hat as he attempted to court a nearby female dog.
The 2-and-a-half-year-old from Waihī was described as "a little s***" by owner Jodie Gordon.
"You could say he's a character. He liked his food and he likes beating his big sister up."
Accompanying a trio of lovely girl dogs were Lund Rd neighbours Gill Panton, Calleigh Wathey-Boot, 11, and Jasmine Wathey-Boot.
They had bichon/maltese, Angel, with the temperament to fit her name; 3-year-old border collie Taylor who entered several events; and Carli, 3 - the golden-blonde bombshell who had a tough start in life.
Panton said Carli, a whippet-cross, had three homes before she was 9 months old and a month in the pound before she found her.
"She has been hard work but she is coming along nicely now."
The snooziest puppy was Lottie the 5-month-old labradoodle, spotted sweetly sprawled across owner Leanne Ball's lap.
Colina Goodhue from Waihī Beach had perhaps the most celebrity canine.
A trainee guide dog who flunked out of the programme due to a few little anxieties, the labrador/golden retriever mix and BFG - Big Friendly Giant - came to Goodhue with the name Will.
She extended this to William Denzell after her favourite actors, Will Smith and Denzell Washington.
William Denzell was a very strong contender for Best Dog - he was even wearing a bandana - but ultimately there was one other pooch that stood out from the pack.
On the advice of counsel, this paper wishes to make it clear that this is a purely subjective judgment. One person's Best Dog is another person's Good Dog.*
The decision was made by the author alone and not in conjunction with the district council or any event sponsor, staff member or participant - canine or human.
No judging criteria from Westminster or Crufts or anywhere else was employed.
And the Best Dog is:
Emma the short-haired border collie.
The following rebarkable traits contributed to her win:
1. Local
Emma was born in Kawakawa but lives in Katikati with her owner Phil Christophersen.
2. True to herself
Emma is only 18 months old but she knows her boundaries and politely enforces them.
Christophersen said she was not an overly affectionate pet: "In the morning she will come in and give you a cuddle, but 30 seconds and then it's over, no more for the day. She shows it in other ways, though. When we're out on a dog run ... she will always come bouncing back to make sure I'm still there."
Reluctant huggers can relate.
3. Master of disguise
Emma was modelling an op shop-sourced Western ensemble comprising a checked shirt, frilly denim skirt, belted holster and pistol and a black cowboy hat worn with comfort and confidence. She wore the clothes, the clothes didn't wear her.
If you have ever tried to make a dog wear a hat even for two minutes for a photo, you know it is just about impossible. Several other dog owners who entered the best-dressed competition can also attest to this, underlining Emma's talent.
4. Cool and calm
Emma was friendly and unfazed when faced with the puparazzi after her model-esque turn around the ring for the best-dressed competition, where she was one of four official winners.
As for her cool credentials: 1. She can skateboard. 2. One must be cool to carry a pistol with authority when one does not have opposable thumbs.
5. Likes everyone
Christophersen: "She likes people, she likes dogs."
Congratulations, Emma.
*The author also wishes to make it clear to her own dog that only dogs at this event were considered and she is still the overall Best Dog.
The jury's marathon deliberations ran for two weeks.