“Everyone likes to claim their dog is the best, mine’s just proven he is,” laughs Marie Austin after her dog Kevin took out first place in the Hot Diggity Dog – the little dog race at the weekend.
Organised by Kat Campbell as a fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hopsice Dancing for a Cause, the day raised around $1000.
Kat says it was a great family day out and the feedback is that everyone enjoyed it.
She says the costume category was a highlight with two princesses and a butler, Benson, who was carrying a silver tray complete with miniature champagne bottle and flutes.
“There were a few dogs that went the wrong way, a winner from the back, but everyone had a good time.”
Marie says Kevin the pug, who is just over a year old, loved the day too.
“He’s quite social, we take him to the beach with our labrador Jeff who helped with Kevin’s training for the event,” she says.
"Jeff loves to run at the beach and Kevin runs 100 miles an hour behind him. It’s funny, you see this big labrador running and then hear this little pug puffing along behind him.”
Kat says there were around 50 dogs and hundreds of attendees of all ages.
“We had owners in costume with race day fascinators and things so we will look to make a real thing of it next time.”
Marie says Kevin will be back next time to defend his title and keep his trophy, which has pride of place on the shelf with the family’s other awards.
