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Petsmart hosts adoption competition By BILL KETTLER Porthos tipped the scales at 150 pounds, but he had to settle for second place Sunday in the big-dog competition at Petsmart. Kathy Latusick's stocky, blond Anatolian lost out to Caesar, a 178-pound English mastiff that dwarfed all the dogs (and many of the people) who came to the pet-supply store for a doggie playday. There were prizes for the smallest dog (a 5-pound Pomeranian), the best kisser (a Newfoundland/Labrador retriever cross), and the best singer (a bulldog), as well as contests that actually required the dogs to have some training. Petsmart organized the fun and games to encourage people to adopt dogs and cats from the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Cats and kittens from the shelter snoozed in cages while shelter volunteers tried to encourage shoppers to take one home. Several adoptable dogs lounged around the corner with other shelter volunteers. "We're trying to show that there are a lot of good dogs out there that need a home," said Laura Ormsby, a dog trainer who organized the event for Petsmart. Several former shelter dogs in the competition showed the heart, personality and intelligence that many people look for when choosing a companion animal. Loki, an 11-month-old border collie-Labrador retriever cross, wagged her tail constantly and licked anyone who stopped by to talk with her owner, Kadie Rathburn of Medford. "She chose me at the shelter," Rathburn said. "I'd walk by (her cage) and she'd jump up. "She was left at a highway rest area, tied to a tree with her legs taped to her body," Rathburn said. "You'd think a shelter dog would probably have some problems," she said, "but she loves everybody. She's never been aggressive. She's a sweet, trainable dog." Chance, another former shelter dog, grabbed plenty of balls during the fetching competition, but didn't win because he was more interested in playing with the balls he had than grabbing some more. "We think he's Australian shepherd, and maybe border collie," said Sharon Gretch, of Medford. She picked Chance from the shelter because "I wanted a dog that nobody else wanted. "Why let a good dog go to waste?," she said, admiring Chance's total obsession with the fetching contest. "Look at this dog. He's perfect." Before the playday ended, at least two dogs and one cat from the shelter found new homes. Bringing the animals to public places, rather than expecting people to come to the shelter, has helped more animals find homes, said Michele Coppola, who works as a volunteer with Friends of the Animal Shelter. Coppola said adopting a shelter animal gives a second chance to dogs and cats who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own. "It is hugely rewarding when they get adopted," Coppola said. "It makes your day." Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.