photos by David Halterman

It's a dogs life. At least it was on Sunday morning at Santa Rita Park, when dozens of local canines showed up with their owners in tow for the best leg-cocking, butt-sniffing, tail-wagging party this side of the Animas River. It was doggie breath galore at this years annual Mutt Strutt and Adoptathon, hosted by the La Plata County Humane Society. Pooches of all sizes came together for a bit of friendly competition, but perhaps the events most excited attendees were the Humane Society's own shelter dogs, who were given a chance to strut their stuff in front in the hopes of going home with a new owner. And who can blame them? After all, this only happens once every seven dog years! That's ruff!