Mutts Parade for Popular Y Fundraiser

Visitors browse silent auction items.

Ruth Benker holds her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Teddy, who has his own calling card with Vitas, the healthcare company.

Gizmo the Maltese and owner, Victoria Livorsi, in their matching outfits.

Golden Retriever Jake pays typical attention to his owner.

Alina Muther’s English Jack Russell charmed onlookers purely with his friendly looks.

MIA Key Club volunteers who welcomed guests are, from left, Collette Combs, Miranda Ghourdjian, Delaney Mann, Caitlyn Sadofsky and Celeste Forester.

Barb Hess shows off Gracie.

Paradise Cycle Boat Cruises crew/hosts with mascot and entrant, Luke, provide a visitor and family with a keepsake photo.

Rob Lynch’s border collies, Dash and Bunker, chill before the judging.

Goldendoodle Charlie.

Prepping for the stage turn.

Bonnie Rousseau’s squirrel monkey, Ramsey, was a non-eligible breed but still a crowd pleaser.

A Great Dane entrant seems to complement the well-known TV advertisement.

Posted Wednesday, March 30, 2022 8:00 pm

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By Quentin Roux

They may not all have been show dogs, but boy did these assorted mutts show their personalities.

There were border collies, labradoodles, pugs, golden retrievers, Maltese, bulldogs, a Great Dane masquerading as a cow, terriers, setters, shih tzus, yorkies and a few of the marvelous mixed-breed specimens known as mutts.

The occasion was the annual Mutts and Margaritas fundraiser presented by the YMCA of Collier County (Marco Y), which traditionally attracts big crowds of dog lovers and owners who parade them on the…well…catwalk.

Rob Lynch of Colorado brought along his two unusually mellow border collies, Bunker and Dash, and Alina Muther’s English Jack Russell turned heads with his sheer magnetic presence.

“This is a good learning lesson for him, because he’s only seven months old,” Muther said. “It’s a great breed; they’re a lot of fun, and you should see him in a swimming pool.”

There were winners in various categories, but as usual the real ones were the kids’ programs conducted by the Y, including upcoming summer programs which do not turn away families unable to cover the expenses.

For more on the Y's wide variety of programs and activities for adults and children, visit marcoymca.org or call 394-YMCA (9622). Follow on Twitter at ymcamarco; on Facebook @marcoymca, and Instagram at ymcamarco.