Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Chico the prison dog. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The fourth Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) Doggie Fashion Show and Food Festival lived up to the adage: A dog is man's best friend.

The show, which was held at the American International School of Kingston on Olivier Road on Saturday, provided a lighter side to the man (or woman)/dog relationship.

The heavily moistened clouds held their breaths long enough for the canines and their owners to show off fashions ranging from casual to elegant in a variety of colours and styles.

Some dogs were as young as 10 weeks old and some were too shy to strut down the 'dogwalk' and were carried across the stage by very caring handlers. The models were of different breeds: German Shepherds, Shih Tzu and mutts.

The doggie designs were creative and represented different characters: school boys, prisoner, police and bridegroom.

Bride and groom

Catherine Mendez escorts her dog, Corgie, onstage at the JSPCA Doggie Fashion Show on Saturday at the American International School of Kingston.

Depicting a bride and groom were five-year-old Catherine Mendez and five-year-old Corgie. Mendez was dressed in white while Corgie was dressed in a black cap and black vest. Both were also the first pair to hit the stage.

Sarah Misir and her German shepherd depicted a cheerleader and footballer. The dog was dressed in a yellow T-shirt, while Misir was decked out in a yellow and red cheerleader outfit.

Julian Moodie and her energetic Shih Tzu, Leo, depicted a schoolgirl and schoolboy. They both wore black and white checkered bottom, Leo in a pair of short pants and tie while Moodie wore a skirt with a white blouse and tie.

Other handlers and models taking part in the fashion show included: Ashley, Julian and Bianca Lawson with two shelter puppies; Kellie Gordon and Romeo; Deanna Douglas with 10-week-old Dora; Elysia Tomlinson and Starlight, an adoptee from JSPCA who was dressed in a pink dress; Ruddy Gayle and Naylor, also dressed in pink fur tail dress; Petr Gordon and Chico, dressed in a stripe shirt to represent a prisoner; and Kaile Chin and Marley, dressed as goblins in their second appearance.

Making guest appearances onstage were a snake and a Macaw. The snake was bravely carried by Melissa Murray and Damion Lawson, who also modelled a doggie bag, carried the Macaw.

The engaging and exciting Doraine Samuels was the master of ceremonies.

Music was provided by Blue Grass in the Sky, an all-male band. They performed songs in two genres, blues and reggae fusion (a mix of reggae and Latin). Their selections included Get Closer, Who Could Forget You and High Grade Love.

This girl parades her dog for the audience.