First look at Junction Pet Fest “Most Beautiful Pet” winner

| Fun stuff to do | Pets | West Seattle video

That’s your first look at Myrtle, the Shar-Pei that won the “Most Beautiful Pet” contest at the West Seattle Junction Association’s first-ever Pet Fest about an hour ago. We have a lot more to show you from the contest, including video, a little bit later, but wanted to post this as a reminder that Pet Fest continues till 4 pm in the Wells Fargo lot at the NE corner of 44th/Alaska. (Don’t miss the pet-adoption area featuring Homeward Pet, run by West Seattleite Steve Siadek, who regularly contributes adoption candidates to the WSB Pets page.) ADDED EARLY MONDAY: Still working on a longer compilation of video from the contest, but here’s a clip of Myrtle with the runner-up, another Shar-Pei, named Buddy (his owner Michelle says he’s 1 1/2; Myrtle’s owner Ryan says she’s a rescuee and about 8):

Steve Siadek April 27, 2008 (5:38 pm)

All of us at Homeward Pet thank the sponsors of Pet Fest and greatly appreciate the strong community turn out. We adopted 7 dogs in all including 3 puppies and our sweet senior dog, Jade!

Of course, we always have a new round of rescues so please tell your friends and we look forward to your visit to our shelter.

– Steve

Cliff Mark April 28, 2008 (11:34 am)

A Big Thank You to Homeward Pet, the Friends of the Animals Foundation, Firstmate Pet Foods, Merrick Pet Products, By Nature Pet Products, Viking Bank, Liberty Bell Printing, PetCo, Windermere Real Estate, Hands to Paws, Haute Portraiture, Ada Pet Portraits and the West Seattle Junction Association for the success of the West Seattle Pet Fest!!
Highlights include:
* over 500 attendees throughout the day with over a 100 different pets: dogs, cats, and even a bearded-dragon!
* Seven (yes SEVEN!) dogs adopted out by Homeward Pet during the Fest! Yeah!!
* (still pending final tally, but) a few THOUSAND dollars raised to support local animal rescue organizations!
* 23 entries in the “Most Beautiful Pet in West Seattle” won by Myrtle, a tan Shar-Pei. In fact, it was a Shar-Pei Shweep with Buddy, a black Shar-Pei taking the runner up trophy.
Finally, thanks to Louis Lujan, Next-to-Nature’s all-around go-to-guy for carrying the majority of the burden organizing and executing this great event. Kudos, Louis for a job well-done. See you all next year as Myrtle defends her title!

JenV April 28, 2008 (12:59 pm)

We had the honor of meeting Ms. Myrtle right after she took the crown. Well deserved!

Dumpster to Diva April 28, 2008 (1:28 pm)

How I went from a dumpster to a Diva in 12 months: Last April, I was found in a green commercial garbage bin in Oregon. I was very underweight and had lost quite a bit of hair. I spent the next four months in a foster home in West Seattle that specializes in Shar-Pei’s. There I gained weight and my fur returned. No one new any history about me, so they gave me the fitting name of Myrtle, had me spayed and my eye entropion surgery done. My new parents met me in August. They were looking to adopt Smokey, a different Shar-Pei, and I went along for the house visit. I wanted to make sure Smokey was going to a great new forever home. Guess what? I was adpoted instead, which was a surprise to everyone considering I’m a senior and Smokey was a much younger dog. It took me several months to feel comfortable, but now I’m retired at the beach, living the good life…and I know it! I love spending time on the balcony overlooking the bathhouse. Next time you’re strolling Alki, look for me! And if you’re interested in providing a forever home to a needy Shar-Pei, please contact the Washington branch of Shar-Pei rescue at http://www.sharpeirescue.com/states/wa.htm. By the way, I highly recommend ScooyPei – he’s a great dog!!!!
Thanks to all my fans – can’t wait to see you at the beach!
–Myrtle, Diva!

WSB April 28, 2008 (1:33 pm)

Thanks for posting, Myrtle! I am going to highlight your commentary when we post an update sometime tonight with the mega-video compilation from the contest. Thanks to your person for sharing the rescue link; he had told me about it and I hadn’t had a chance to look for it yet. — TR

Kelly Starbuck April 28, 2008 (1:56 pm)

Myrtle,
I knew you were a star the moment the volunteer transport from Oregon dropped you at our home and into our rescue group. You stole our hearts and we watched your depression from your former owners throwing you in a dumpster turn into the beautiful and confident Number One Diva, that you are!!
You Go Girl!!!
Peifully,
Kelly & The Homeless Wrinkleheads
p.s. I want to thank Ryan & Kelly for giving her the spoiled diva life she deserves…adopters like you remind us why we need to keep our chin’s up and help out another homeless pei!

Charlie Church April 28, 2008 (3:45 pm)

Wow, what a fabulous story! I’m sorry I missed the Pet Fest. I can also vouch for the shar-pei rescue. Because of it, I have July, my dear shar-pei / lab mix, which I was so blessed to adopt over 8 years ago. She continues to provide incredible joy in my life, and everyone that knows me, knows my pooch!

Kelly Starbuck April 29, 2008 (3:36 pm)

Charlie,
Hi! Yes, our precious little July turned 9 years old a couple of weeks ago!!!! Time flies! Give her a hug for me!
Peifully,
Kelly & The Homeless Wrinkleheads

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