This year’s Pooch Party in the Park at London Bridge Beach Park benefiting Western Arizona Humane Society was considered a success by organizers and progressively better than years past by dog owners.

Phoenix Fuzion competitive Flyball team racers perform an obstacle relay race Sunday. Jayne Hanson/News-Herald Photo.

“It was a fabulous event and the weather was perfect. It was comparable to other years and was a wonderful weekend. It is so fun to see the different kinds of dogs and to see all the kids with dogs,” said Victoria Cowper, executive director of Western Arizona Humane Society.

The number of participating dogs as well as how much cash was raised for WAHS will not be determined until later in the week after the information is compiled, Cowper said.

The Best Kisser contest commenced with six contestants at 12:50 p.m. Sunday. When the smooching began, contest commentator and event organizer Maureen Sieker indulged the competition and crouched down on her knees in the grass to entice each of the contestants to give her a big, slurping kiss as judges watched.

A second round of kisses followed in a kiss-off to determine second and third places after an initial tie.

In the end, first-place Best Kisser went to Josie, a 10-year-old miniature poodle, owned by Joanne Perin, of Havasu; second place went to Scarlett O’Hara, a 10-month-old Siberian Husky, owned by Lynn Tarantino, of Havasu; and third place went to Clancy, a bischon frise, owned by Gail Oliphant.

“I take her almost every day to the (London) Bridge. She is like an ambassador for Lake Havasu City,” said Tarantino of her Siberian Husky, Scarlett O’Hara, who also won first-place Best in Show. The pup loves people and has had her photograph taken by many visitors to the city, Tarantino said.

Among the judges, were two dog lovers Don Hinson, a retired KLAC country radio host out of Los Angeles who now lives part-time in Nashville, Tenn., and Branson, Mo.

Also among the judges, was Andre Fortin, of Los Angeles, who is a choreographer and teacher of ballroom dancing and worked on the film “Enchanted,” he said.

Fortin also trains guide dogs for Guide Dogs of the Desert. Rascal, a 5-month-old poodle in the guide-dog program, was in tow. This was Fortin’s first trip to Havasu.

“It is really nice. The people are extremely nice, it is so unlike L.A.,” Fortin said with a laugh.

At the southernmost competition area set up at London Bridge Beach Park harbored Frisbee dog events and Flyball team races to name a few.

Gary Mortimer, of Havasu, and his dog, Pepper, a 2-year-old miniature Australian Sheppard, are a team in Frisbee dog events.

“We specialize in freestyle Frisbee. She (Pepper) is about one year into training and we do about 10 to 15 different things. We are a team. I throw and she catches,” Mortimer said.

Running between her handler’s legs and jumping over his back are a few of the tricks, he said.

Mortimer is working to get a small group of Frisbee dogs together in Havasu. He is at the dog park at Avalon about 7:30 or 8 a.m. on the weekends and will answer any questions interested dog owners may have, he said.

“You can tell very quickly if the dog will be a good Frisbee dog,” Mortimer said.

Competitive Flyball team racers Phoenix Fuzion were also on hand to showcase their skills during the event.

Other competitions included Best Costume, Cutest Puppy, Most Unique Tail, Best Smile, Most Ear-resistible Ears, Best Wag, a talent show, Frisbee contest, Ball-catching contest and Havasu’s Fastest Dog competition.

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.