Most of the time, dog shows are held to honor the best of the purebred world. The dog show held in Galesburg, IL, however, sets out with a specific goal in mind each year – to raise funds for the Knox County Humane Society. This past Sunday, April 12, the ninth annual “Eastminster” Dog Show was held at the Sandburg Mall. About 50 dogs were entered in the show, including some dogs that were once residents of the Knox County shelters themselves. This year’s event raised over $4,800 that will be used to renovate the parks at the shelters, so that the dogs can have the best possible temporary home until they find their forever homes.

- Photo Credit: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
- Photo Credit: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
- Photo Credit: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
- Photo Credit: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
- Photo Credit: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
Another thing that was different about this show was that every dog was a winner for some category. Bella, a Bloodhound and Pyrenees mix that won for best “Hound,” found her forever home this past December after her foster parents decided to adopt her. She was found running around in the country, greatly emaciated and her owners had to feed her every three hours and watch her for seizures the first couple of weeks they had her, but she’s now doing just beautifully. Izzy the Beagle was another former rescue from the shelter, who took home “Best Dressed” for her fashionable pink doggy dress that matched her 4-year-old handler and owner’s dress. She had spent a lot of her life pent up in a crate, so her family makes sure she gets out for lots of long walks and car rides. In return, Izzy provides a lot of licks. Here’s to many more of these fantastic “dog shows” and all of the good work they accomplish!
References