For the past eight years, the dog show Woof, has appeared during Pride season. It’s a charity event raising money for the SPCA and is the brainchild of Steven Oates, Moana McDowell and Paul Rose.
I’m embarrassed to say this is the first Woof I’ve attended in a number of years, but I’m glad I did. It’s a fun and relaxed afternoon. Steven Oates is the perfect host who manages to deliver a fun and cheeky performance which gently mocks everyone, including himself. He’s quick with one liners which can come at the expense of contestants – my favourite being “they’ve even got the same breath.” Oates has the charm to pull this off because its damn obvious he loves dogs and people. He also often reminds us that they “are only jokes.” A true bitch wouldn’t bother!
There are five categories: Dog and Owner Look-a-Like; Most Butch; Best Talent; Wee Woofers; Best Dressed; and Best in Show. This year, many contestants seemed to deliver quite the opposite to their allocated category and a quartet of frufru dogs in denim won Most Butch.
It’s all good fun though, and nothing is taken too seriously. Ultimately there is only one winner in each category, and only one ‘Best in Show’, but this is such a nice event that I don’t think anyone would go home feeling like a loser.
