What do you get when you add 52 (mostly) costumed dogs, six cats, and a pig? The 29th annual Worth Avenue Pet Parade, in Palm Beach. There was the added feature of a man in drag – who sashayed far more gracefully in very high heels than I ever have.
Held on the second Saturday in March, shopkeeper Sherry Frankel has served as Worth Ave Pet Parade’s Mistress of Ceremonies since the inception. “While much of the north is covered in blustery breezes and snow, we soak up the Florida sunshine and ritzy Worth Avenue ambiance, as we celebrate the special bond with our furry friends,” she stated.
Participants came from near (Boca Raton, Boynton, Orlando, Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Tequesta, West Palm Beach) and far (California, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Canada).
Having covered this event for the past 17 years, people’s creativity, craftiness and love for their pets never ceases to amaze me. Store-bought costumes merge with handmade, one-of-a-kind creations and coordinated ensembles (pet, decorated stroller/wagon and human in costume) to make this event extra special.
We can always count on a bejeweled bunch of “Palm Beach purse puppies’’ (chis, poms and yorkies). This year, oodles of poodles were replaced by doodles in every size. Majestic weimaraners were out in force, with five registered contestants, the most we have ever had. A few rare breeds were sighted: a handsome tree-walking coonhound, a gorgeously groomed Bouvier des Flandres, and a dashing Gordon setter.
A canine celebrity made her appearance. Back in 2006, I met a glamorous black American cocker spaniel, Daphne Simone (and her people) here at the Worth Avenue Pet parade. I was hired to photograph her aboard a yacht.
Freshly groomed, she wore a vintage pin tied onto a black ribbon, around her neck. As a gentle sea breeze lifted her ears, I knew I captured “the shot.” That image was entered, and she was named America’s Top Dog Model 2007 cover girl. She is almost 17 years old now.
A striking trio of fluffy white dogs, two with blue eyes, were nestled among a tower of aqua Tiffany bags. Their mom, Beth Ailes matched them in an aqua and white ensemble. “Since Santa Claus brought us Tiffany collars and leads, I thought, let’s show them off at the Pet Parade, right across the street from the iconic Palm Beach store where Santa got them!” she shared.
Realtor Helena Drori donned her weimaraner Maya, with a Monopoly board she altered to feature Worth Avenue landmarks and shopping destinations.
Palm Beach antique and estate jeweler Patti Esbia paraded her “watchdog” PolkaDot, a precious French bulldog.
Lori Nicholas had not attended the parade since her regal doberman passed away. She appeared with her new addition, Bougie, a gorgeous fluffy gray and white feline, who emerged from a fully decorated carriage. All were adorned in the luck o’ the Irish in celebration of upcoming St Patrick’s Day.
About a month before the parade, Sherry and her black standard poodle Dash were out for a stroll (potty break) on the Avenue. They met the Levin family and invited them to participate. Leslie Levin had no idea what to expect from the event. Inspired by a springtime theme, she spent over 10 hours creating her long-haired chihuahua Olivia’s dress. She accented the lacy design with fresh flowers. “And I don’t even sew!”, she laughed. “We loved seeing all the costumes, meeting lots of nice dogs, and walking on the runway to music. The parade exceeded our expectations. We plan to attend again.”