May 21, 2014:  The Bronxville School PTA is once again organizing a dog parade and show as part of its Memorial Day celebration, and co-chairs Ruth Walter and Sarah Normand want the entire community to join in the fun.

"We'll be posting fliers throughout the village and at local pet stores, vets, and kennels," Ruth and Sarah said. "Please join the parade and show off your pooch!"

Last year, more than 35 people braved cold weather and drizzle to parade their furry friends around the school and have them judged in the show. "If it's a sunny day, we expect many more," Ruth and Sarah said.

The show will begin at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 24, at the Midland Avenue entrance to the school. Each dog and walker will have a chance to compete for prizes in the following categories: fluffiest, sportiest, biggest, tiniest, most patriotic, most glamorous, most adorable, best costumed, best ears, best in show, and new this year, best trick.

After the judging, all will have a chance to parade their dogs around the school. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the parade.

This year, judges will include Mike Kennedy of Kennedy Canine Center in Tuckahoe and student faculty legislature representatives from each grade.

As they did last year, show participants will be able to register on the PTA website, at the PTA tent on Midland Avenue during drop-off and pickup the week before Memorial Day, and on Saturday, May 24, before the event. The fee is $10 to have your dog judged. You're welcome to join the parade free of charge.

"We love working on this event!" Ruth and Sarah said. "Last year, the weather was pretty dreadful in the morning and we almost canceled the event. But the rain tapered off, and we had lots of people turn out, even in the cold and wind. We were so impressed by the tremendous spirit shown by our school, our community, and all of those wonderful dogs!"

Ruth and her family adopted Pandemonium, a terrier mix known as Pandy, from the Yonkers animal shelter in 2009. Sarah doesn't have a dog--yet--but enjoys dog-sitting for Pandy when Ruth her family go away.

Editor's note:  The full schedule of Memorial Day Weekend events sponsored by the Bronxville PTA appears in a separate article in this week's issue and can also be found at www.bronxvillepta.org.

Pictured here:  Dog parade co-chairs Sarah Normand and Ruth Walter, who is holding her dog, Pandy.

Photo courtesy Francine Schwadel, Publicity Co-Chair, Bronxville School PTA