The third annual  Dog Parade closed out the Botanical Gardens'  bigger and better Holiday Lights on Dec. 30, 2012.  Many thanks to Board Member Barbara Goss for dreaming up the idea and spearheading it every year!    There were 48 entries in seven categories and a good time was had by all. 

Winners of the 2012 dog parade

Best puppy                             Sissy      Owner     Pat Collins
Best Adult                              Whisper                Jennifer Harmon
Best Senior                             Sprout                  Shirley Bryan
Ugliest (2 only)                         Ziggy                   Lucy Chapman
                                               Bert                    Jonathan Hussain
Best Botanical Costume           Olivia                   Stacey McDonald
Best Dog/ Look-a-like               Magpie                Monique Noujaim
Just showing Up                       Goldie                 Patty Grinion 

The Dog Parade's generous sponsors, who contributed many nice prizes, were Amazon Animal Clinic, Largo; Animal and Bird Clinic, Clearwater; Animal Care Clinic, Largo, which donated a $35 dental exam for every dog in the parade;  Largo Feed and Garden Supply, Largo; Largo Veterinary Hospital;  Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital and Kennels, Seminole; and Pets Unlimited, Clearwater.

Judges were:Veterinarians  Dr. Jannel Dowling, Dr. David Tollen, Dr. Shashi Goswami and Mr. David Parhill of Hill's Science Food dogfood.