Under bright sunny skies, The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard held the first annual celebration of pets at Sunset Lake in Oak Bluffs. From Odie, the gentle Pinto horse, to a cat named Smokey and a parrot named Livingston, all creatures great and small (including the duck in the lake) had a simply lovely time.

Good Dog Goods provided the delicate bone-shaped hors d’oeuvres while beverages were served in elegant stainless steel pails, or Chilmark Spring Water bottles, depending upon the number of legs.

Karen Ogden gave a rally obedience demonstration, which Dianne Powers and her enormous Great Dane puppy, Sailor, failed hilariously. There were raffle tickets sold in arm or body lengths for two large baskets of donated prizes, and memorial bricks were available for purchase, to commemorate special pet friends. People also lined up to see if their dogs could earn an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate.

Father Michael Nagel of the Good Shepherd Parish gave the blessing of the animals to all assembled, and the beautiful mini-horses, Abby and Princess, seemed to bow their heads to receive it.

Finally, everyone joined in a happily disorganized Pet Parade and each animal received the coveted Purple Ribbon Award for being a beloved Vineyard pet.

Meanwhile, in Edgartown, at 1 Pennywise Path, the newly cleaned and painted shelter hosted a day-long open house, which proved a great success as well.

— Mary Jane Pease