Moms, mutts strut in show for charity

The title of "Fattest Pug" went to Bailey, a roly-poly fellow from East Meadow.

Browser, a golden retriever from Locust Valley who lost a leg in recent cancer surgery and walked a mile to the show just Sunday, won "Most Wonderful Three-legged Dog."

But perhaps no one at the seventh annual Locust Valley Dog Festival did a better job incorporating this year's "Mothers & Mutts" theme than mother-and-son Caroline and Edward Gerry of Locust Valley and their mother-and-son chocolate Labrador retrievers, Pepsi and Max. Fittingly, the Gerrys and their pooches won "Best Mother And Son Team."

Said Caroline: "They take care of each other, we take care of each other."

The Mother's Day dog festival is a charity event -- proceeds from entry fees benefit Glen Cove Animal Lovers League -- organized by Lynda Anderson, who owns Anderson Galleries in Locust Valley. Mutts parade on a small patch of green called Thomas Park near Anderson's gallery. All entrants win an award, tailored to the dogs and their owners.

Anderson said the event raised more than $5,000 for the animal league, and also raised awareness about animal adoption. The North Shore Animal League brought a mobile adoption van with a dozen dogs and a few cats. Holding the event on Mother's Day reminds people that dogs are "part of the family," she said.

Oyster Bay resident Janine Moger, who is eight months pregnant and won "Top Mother-Dog Combo" with her golden retriever, Juliet, agreed.

So did Michele Gottlieb of Lattingtown, who brought her shepherd Sammy Rose, a recent rescue who was left without a home after her previous owner died of cancer.

Bailey the chubby pug's owner, Veronica Samis of East Meadow, a self-proclaimed "dog mom," also said her pup is like family. Samis attended the festival with her mother, Mary Ellen, who was celebrating her birthday.

Bailey's summer goals include slimming down, Samis said. "I didn't get to walk him all winter. Now that it's nice out, hopefully he'll shed some pounds."