Bailey and Afton Davis along with Halley Wise congratulate border collies Eli and Murphy for winning "Best Talent" at the 2008 4th Annual Neighborhood Pet Show. Saturday June 21 beginning at 11 am, all manner of furry friends and their humans congregated at the home of Pud Patterson on Devereaux Road for the 4th Annual Neighborhood Pet Show.

The show is the brain child of Patterson and her granddaughters, Bellinger and Mary Louise Boylston, who live next door.

Several years ago they were looking for a good way to have some wholesome summer fun and turned their love for animals into what has become an annual event bringing friends and neighbors together to celebrate and enjoy their furry family members.

This year's event was so large that it brought the Eddy family all the way in from Pawley's Island so that Patterson's other grand children could be part of the fun and help with the festivities.

The extra helping hands were certainly needed as this year's show had over 30 entries. The yard was full of cute and cuddly canines plus a cat, a guinea pig, a gerbil, and a family of bunnies. People of all ages showed their pets and talked about what made each one special. Each pet was unique and each won a special prize.

Contestants and their masters prepare for the 2008 Neighborhood Pet Show. Teddy the bischon frise won best one- eyed dog. Splash, affectionately dubbed a Camden terrier because he was a stray found in Camden, won best haircut. He was a handsome, friendly fellow. Valentine Boyslton Bunny gave birth to seven baby bunnies the night before the show jointly winning "Best Parent" honors with proud papa Brutus Boylston Bunny.

Among the participants were also a dignified German shepherd named Dallas, a perky great dane puppy named Cooper, a talented pair of border collies named Eli and Murphy and several rescue dogs happy to have found a loving home. They all strutted their stuff and made their owners proud.

Mary Louise Boylston was show MC, and Bellinger Boylston served as chief judge. In the end, everyone had a special prize, and all had a really good time. Patterson was pleased with the turn out noting, "This show is about pets, meeting other pet lovers, being outside together in a comfortable and informal setting, having a pleasant experience on a summer morning.... It is our hope that friends and neighbors simply enjoy coming to it."

Reed Mauldin and Mollie, "Most Wonderful Companion" Dog quotes...

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.

- Josh Billings,

American humorist

Generally, or at least very often, people with a deep interest in animals are the best people around.

- Roger Caras

Ask of the beast, and they will tell you the beauty of the world.

- St. Francis of Assisi

From The Spirituality of Pets

by James Taylor People always joke that dog spells God backwards. They should consider that it might be the higher power coming down to see just how well they do, what kind of people they are. The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test.

Andrianna Webster, Sancho, "Spunkiest" and "Best in Show" - Linda Blair, actress, activist From The Spirituality of Pets by James Taylor

Alexandra Busto, Kitty (gerbil), "Smallest" Allie Stubbs, Lucy, "Skinniest" Angie Duffy, Sam, "Friendliest" Belinda James, Angus, "Best Frisbee Catch" Betty Glad, Rhett, "Curliest" Bryan Caskey, Dallas, "Most Dignified" Campbell Sullivan, Checker and Domino, "Most Colorful" and "Fattest" Davis Eddy with Pud Patterson's Aine, "Most Stubborn" Eliza Smith, Lillie, "Biggest Ham" Jed Schneider and Red checking out the situation Jennifer Davis, Eli, before the competition Judy Smith and Pitty Pat just came out to watch. Katie Horton, Cooper, "Biggest Puppy" Marcia Hendrix's Scottish terriers Max and McGregor won "Best Pair" for the second year Linell Strandine, Tuffy, "Hairiest" Laura Macy, Jackson, "Calmest" Mary Russell Eddy and Ora Parker with Brutus Boylston Bunny, husband of Valentine, owned by Bellinger Boylston. Valentine gave birth to seven bouncing bunnies the day before the show. The couple won "Best Parents." Liz Carlin, Kate, "Most Relaxed" Megan Pleasant, Marley, "Most Energetic" Photo by Chris Webster Both border collies of Bailey and Afton Davis win "Best Talent." Above is a demonstration of one catching a frisbee. Tom and Jenny Farrell, Splash (l), "Best Hair Cut," and Winston, "Best Spotted Dog" Peanut, owned by Teresa Thom, did not compete as he is recovering from surgery. Teddy owned by Marcia Hendrix, Best One Eyed Dog Gray and Leslie Leitner with guinea pig, Cricket, "Best to Curl Up With" See you next year for the 5th Annual Neighborhood Pet Show Front row (l- r) Lora Gahagan Eddy, Ora Parker Eddy, Ora Patterson, Lillian Eddy, and Mary Russell Eddy. Back row (l- r) Savannah Busto, Allie Stubbs, Mary Louise Boylston, Davis Eddy, Bellinger Boylston, Brittany Busto, Alexandra Busto, and Pud Patterson.