Paws, Props, and Pirates: Highlights from the 2nd Annual Woofs & Whiskers

Matthew Stover
6 days ago
2 min read

On August 8, I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Woofs & Whiskers Pet Fashion Show at the Mable House Arts Center. The community turn-out was fantastic, with an estimated 250 people coming out to enjoy the festivities, cheer on local pets, and connect with neighbors.

Organized by the Mable House Arts Center team, the day featured a community fashion show alongside a busy vendor market with local pet-focused businesses and organizations. Cobb County Animal Services was also on-site offering free pet adoptions to help match rescue animals with loving homes.

And the Grand Prize Winner Is...

The competition was fierce (and adorable!), but one entry truly stole the show! This year’s top prize went to Sam Perry and his 4-year-old Cockapoo, Westy Gray.

Sam and Westy captivated both the audience and judges with an unforgettable pirate-themed entrance aboard their very own pirate ship. Here is a small excerpt from their winning application:

Ahoy, mateys! Make way for the fiercest father-son crew ever to sail the seven seas!

Leading the charge is one fearless pirate captain, with his loyal first mate, Westy—a four-year-old Cockapoo who’s traded belly rubs for buried treasure and bones for booty! Arriving aboard their pirate ship, this swashbuckling duo is on a mission to steal hearts, claim the loudest cheers, and prove that every great captain needs a faithful first mate.

Judging the lineup was no easy task, but this year's panel brought great local expertise to the table:

Maria Lee-Drive — Business owner at Fresh Mink and Creator of Fresh Pets Magazine
Abigail Jordan — Stable Master for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol
Jessica Darrough — Cobb County Animal Services

Looking Ahead to Next Year

The judges selected a single top winner this year without ranking runners-up, but event organizers are already looking at ways to expand the competition for next year’s 3rd annual show.

Plans in development include adding multiple award categories (such as Most Creative, Best Duo, or Funniest Costume) as well as introducing an interactive fan-voting component so attendees can help vote on their favorites.

It was a wonderful community gathering, and I am already looking forward to seeing what our local pet owners bring to the runway next year!

Click below to see the gallery of pets submitted by Erica De Nova of the Mable House Arts Center.