Dogs on the catwalk at the Canine Fashion Show

By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
Posted 8/17/22

COCHECTON, NY — Fashionable fox terriers. Stylish Samoyeds. Chic cocker spaniels. Glamorous German shepherds.

Dogs of all breeds will model their favorite looks in the first Catskills canine …

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Dogs on the catwalk at the Canine Fashion Show

Posted

COCHECTON, NY — Fashionable fox terriers. Stylish Samoyeds. Chic cocker spaniels. Glamorous German shepherds.

Dogs of all breeds will model their favorite looks in the first Catskills canine fashion show, held at the Cochecton Pump House.

“It’s all about the dogs,” said Dave Lieber, co-owner of the Pump House with Jin Zhang.

The fun begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 20.

The event, which will raise funds for the Sullivan County SPCA, is produced by fashion-show expert Lynne O’Neill, and Dave Lieber and Jin Zhang, the co-owners of the Cochecton Pump House.

It is hosted by beloved actor and author Melissa Gilbert. 

"We're the parents of a wonderful rescue dog from the Anti-Cruelty Society  in Chicago," Gilbert said.  "She changed our lives so much for the better.  Rescue dogs are the best!"

Why did the Pump House get involved?

Dogs are clearly part of the venue’s ethos, and its Facebook page is a steady scroll of featured pets.

“Jin and I got a dog in the pandemic,” Lieber said. The search took a while, given pandemic closures, and the couple ended up at the SPCA in Rock Hill. It was “the most amazing place. We went there a hundred times—and then one day we hit the lottery.” Thanks to their beloved pooch, their lives “are 150 percent better now.”

At one point, they met O’Neill, held a dog costume contest for Halloween, and that led to Saturday’s extravaganza.

The SPCA can use the help. The shelter, as always, rehomes the pets that arrive, but according to its website, the facility needs upgrading badly. “We are focused on what matters,” said Barbara Ferrante, head of fundraising. “It really is all about the animals.”

The fashion show will help. Meanwhile, O’Neill and company have been busy. “I’ve been producing and directing fashion shows for over 40 years,” she said, “and this is the first time that I’ll be directing a dog fashion show. I’m expecting that it’ll be canine chaos!”

The judges include actor Becky Ann Baker, who starred in the TV series “Girls,” and artist Trey Speegle, from Cultivated Catskills. Johnny Pizzolato from the Stickett Inn; collage artist Charles Wilkin, from 2 Queens Coffee; and FOX casting director Clint Alexander, who also runs BarnLab, a resource for handcrafted artisanal goods, round out the panel.

Speegle shares a 17-year-old Brussels Griffon with two other dads. “When he was younger, Lamonte didn’t like wearing clothes much, and even now when you try to put a sweater on him he resists, but for the sake of fashion he’ll put up with it for an hour or two,” he said.

What does the stylish dog wear? Speegle said he had no idea. But “we are looking for stylishly attired dogs, and if the owner is decked out too, that’s always a plus. It’s all in good fun and for a good cause.”

The event and dog registration begins at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m. the show starts, followed by the after-party at 5 p.m.

There’s no fee to attend or to register your dog, but donations are encouraged and will support the SPCA.

Seating and parking are first-come, first-served.

For all the fun, there is a serious undertone here too, Lieber said.

Veterinarians, vet techs and other staff have had a tough pandemic. “They are really under tremendous stress,” he said. So for him, “it’s also about the vets” and their staff.

Adopting a pet is the best of times, and the fashion show celebrates that. And it acknowledges our debt to those who care for our pets, both before they become ours, and when they need help.  

Watch for updates on the Canine Fashion Show at https://bit.ly/3zNW24w.

Learn about the SPCA at https://sullivanspca.org/.

Cochecton Pump House, canine fashion show

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