PORT TOWNSEND — Milo might not have won any prizes at the Divine K9 contest Saturday, but to owner Tanya Matosich, he’s a winner.
“It’s Milo, the wonder dog,” Matosich said.
“We’re happy to be here, and Milo’s happy to be here.”
Milo, a shepherd mix, and Matosich, who came from Seattle for the contest, made the local news last week after an accident destroyed Matosich’s truck and sent her to the hospital.
One of her dogs which was riding in the truck was killed, but Milo ran off.
Against all odds, he turned up several days later at Matosich’s house.
“He had to cross I-5 and railroad tracks and a reputed dog-eating neighborhood,” said Nancy Demattos, a Port Ludlow resident who is a friend of Matosich.
24 dogs in fashion show
Milo and Juno, Demottos’ dog, were two of the 24 who were entered in the Divine K9 fashion show and contest Saturday at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.
A benefit for Second Chance Ranch, a no-kill shelter in Quilcene, the contest drew 100 fun-loving pet owners.
“I wanted to contribute to a good cause, and I thought it would be fun,” said Susan Payne of Port Townsend, who brought her two Ibizan hounds, Dancer and Player.
Payne wore her dressage outfit for horseback riding, while Player was dressed in pink silk and Dancer wore a saddle.
“He’s always wanted to be a horse,” Payne said of the long-legged dog.