Antlers, Santa Hats and Wagging Tails: It Must Be Canine Christmas

Admit it, you've done it — dressed the dog in reindeer antlers or put a santa hat on his head. At the very least you wrapped a dog toy and treat in tissue paper and put it under the tree for your four-legged friend.

It you have done this or been tempted too, or have a hankering to find a wagging tail under your Christmas tree then you can't miss the 14th annual Canine Christmas at Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The annual event includes a doggy fashion show, talent contest, silent auction, Canine Good Citizen testing, a raffle, pet portraits with Santa and holiday gifts for dogs, cats and even their people. There will also be a 50/50 drawing, a Canine Christmas Cafe and best of all plenty of dogs to choose for adoption. 

As a special treat, the canine fashion show will be judged by celebrities including Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Hayley Weilgus from  channel 7.  The Tampa Bay Rays Street Team with Raymond will be making an appearance at noon.

To top off the afternoon, Manatee County dog lovers will attempt to make it into the Guiness World Book of Records with the largest group of dogs sitting and staying at one time. This record setting event will take place Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Currently there is no established world record but according to the Guinness World Book officials the number of dogs with their hind quarters on the ground at the same time has to be over 100 in order to qualify for the record.

Attendee are invited to bring their pooch and get in on the record setting attempt. The attempt will be documented with a photo for verification by the Guinness officials. The event is on the Bishop Animal Shelter grounds off of 59th Street W. across from Blake Hospital. 

The event will include all the area rescue groups, foster groups and animal shelters including Manatee County Animal Services who have made it their mission to become a No Kill county by the end of 2012. If you are looking for a dog to adopt this is the perfect event.

All of the proceeds from the day go to No Kill Manatee County.