From a water buffalo to a lemur, pet show brings a wild crowd to Hootin an Hollarin

There was a little bit of everything at this year's Hootin an Hollarin pet show. Dogs and cats were certainly represented, but they had plenty of unusual company Saturday morning, Sept. 19, as a water buffalo, lemur, duck, donkey, pig, turkey and even a hare sheep joined the lineup on the Gainesville square. If it could be loved, led, carried or coaxed onto the square, it seemed to have a place in the show.

The annual Hootin an Hollarin pet show is organized by retired veterinarian Konnie Plumlee, with Dr. Katlin Hornig of Gainesville Veterinary Hospital serving as emcee. And while a trophy was awarded to the contestants on this page, there were plenty more participants who went home with ribbons and other awards. Check out the Ozark County Times Facebook page for a full album of pet show pictures. 

Among this year's trophy winners were some familiar four-legged friends, along with a few animals that certainly aren't seen at every pet show.

Willie, a chiweenie owned by Lola Nash, earned the trophy for Best Wagger. Willie is described as an excitable little dog who dances, sits when he chooses and loves being a lapdog. He also likes to clean the floors.

Biscuit, another chiweenie, took home Best Personality. His person, Cynthia Thompson, said Biscuit is hyper, friendly and loving and greets the bulls every morning. He also considers himself something of a "duck hunter," although his favorite quarry is a stuffed duck.

Endora, Emmy Mitchell's hare sheep, was named Best Behaved. Mitchell says Endora is energetic and friendly, although she has stubbornly refused to learn any tricks. Her primary job, however, is as a breeder, so perhaps she figures tricks aren't in the job description.

The Most Unusual Pet category was certainly a tough one this year.

Willow the lemur, just 10 months old and originally from Madagascar, earned a blue ribbon in the category. Willow's human, Garrett Cunningham, provided a shoulder ride for her around the square, with the lovable lemur doing what she apparently does best: hugging.

Walter the water buffalo was also among the unusual entries. At 18 months old and weighing a whopping 975 pounds, Walter made quite an impression while being ridden by Maeve Morrison. Walter loves his feed bucket, is friendly and enjoys giving rides to kids.

Dally, a blue heeler, took home Most Talented after performing several tricks with her human, Jaymee Todd, for the judges. Dally can sit, shake, roll over and play dead. But despite all those talents, her favorite job is apparently cleaning the floor.

Bubba, Lydia Drury's miniature donkey, won Best Costume after arriving dressed up and "carrying" flowers in side baskets. Drury describes Bubba as sweet and spunky. He brays loudly when he's hungry, serves as a guardian for his sheep and even works as a taste tester for banana bread.

Then there was Terance the turkey. Danny Drury was especially proud when Terance took home Best In Show. Terance, however, apparently has bigger plans than simply collecting trophies. He's currently looking for a pardon this Thanksgiving because he'd like to stick around long enough to celebrate  the rest of America's 250th birthday.

Duck Duck Goose, Markevian Smith's duck, took home Most Friendly, with help from Markevian and his mom. Duck Duck Goose eats all the chicken feed and has become Markevian's best buddy.

Molly, a 1 1/2-year-old boxer owned by Whitney Miller, earned the trophy for Hardest Working. Miller describes Molly as "weird and neurotic" and says she's learning to listen. She's also the diva of the household, which may be a full-time job in itself.

From a 975-pound water buffalo to a 10-month-old lemur, from a flower-carrying donkey to a turkey seeking a presidential pardon, this year's pet show offered a pretty good reminder that in Ozark County, the word "pet" can cover a lot of territory.

And judging by the smiles, ribbons and proud humans leading their animals around the square, there was no shortage of good pets to celebrate.