For the first time, a goat won Rancho Bernardo’s “Most Patriotic Pet” competition on the Fourth of July.
Dasher, a goat owned by Klara Pennal, won the other animals division before taking the overall title during the 13th annual Larry Himmel Memorial Patriotic Pet Contest.
Dasher stood up at the urging of owner Klara Pennal, while Jeff Zevely asked the audience if they should win this year’s Patriotic Pet Contest. They got the loudest response.
(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
It was held in Webb Park as part of the Spirit of the Fourth community fair. The Rancho Bernardo Community Council organized the contest.
CBS8 features reporter Jeff Zevely returned as contest host and judge. He selected the first-, second- and third-place winners in the small dogs, large dogs and other animals divisions. Then it was the audience’s turn to select this year’s “Most Patriotic Pet” titleholder based on how loud the audience cheered and clapped.
In the small dog division, the prize winners were Janice Carman’s dog, Tristan, in first place, Katherine Neuner’s dog, Patches, in second place, with Susan and Katie Keller’s dog, Ira, coming in third.
Janice Carman talking about her dog, Tristan, who was dressed as a Navy chef, with contest judge Jeff Zevely. Tristan won the small dogs division.
(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
The other animals division was won by Klara Pennal’s goat, Dasher. Coming in second place was Chad and John Potenzone’s cat, Loki. Tying for third place were rabbits Noodles and Newt, brought by Hunter and Mikey Johnson.
The large dogs division was won by Weston, a bulldog. Susan Martin’s dog, Chief, came in second place. In third was Lola, a Bernadoodle dressed as a Top Gun aviator.
Joleen Capozzelli and Charlotte Soul with Weston, who won the large dogs division.
(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
Zevely and his daughter, Brianne, entertained the audience with a comedic bit about their dog Raleigh, a Labradoodle she said was named “Yankee Doodle.” With Brianne going to college in the fall, she wanted to enter the contest but her father disqualified them since he was picking the finalists.
“That does not seem very democratic to me,” Brianne Zevely jokingly said upon hearing of their disqualification.
Brianne Zevely and her father, Jeff Zevely, entertained the audience with a comedic bit about their dog, Raleigh.
(Elizabeth Marie Himchak)
