Journal covers animals related events Sunday

The Poughkeepsie Journal went to the dogs — and cats and at least one rabbit — today. Well, at least the front page of the Mid-Hudson section did.

And as one of my colleagues noted, neither of the stories was mine.

The first story is by Christine Pizzuti and is about an Ulster County Sheriff's Office K-9 who is retiring after nine years of service.

Here's a picture of the retiree with Undersheriff Frank Faluotico.


The second story is by Rasheed Oluwa and is about the blessing of the animals at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. This is the third year the church has held the ceremony to commemorate the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

There is a nice photo gallery by Karl Rabe, too. Be sure and check them out.

See what happens when I take a weekend off?

(Photo by Christine Pizzuti/Poughkeepsie Journal)

Do you have the cutest pet?

Tanner is described by his owner, Donald Bathrick of Wassaic, as a "handsome, 15-year-old Corgi who likes short walks, breakfast at McDonald's and old Tom Jones songs, including What's New, Pussycat?"

The pooch has been entered in the Poughkeepsie Journal's Pet Idol contest.

Pet Idol is a fundraiser for the Journal's Newspaper in Education Program, which provides newspapers and educational materials to schools. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Dutchess County SPCA.

Photos of pets can be submitted electronically or via regular mail (eeww, postage) until June 11. The pictures are put online and people vote for their favorite pets. Each vote costs 25 cents, with a minimum of $5.

The first round of voting is going on now through June 13. The second round of voting will run from June 15 to June 29. Winners will be announced July 2.

First-, second- and third-prize winners will each receive a trophy and a gift package worth between $25 and $1,000, as well as a being mentioned in a Journal story.

As of tonight, people have entered 156 pictures of dogs, 67 pictures of cats, two bunnies, two bearded dragons (only a mother...), one iguana, one ferret, one snake and one hedgehog.

Employees of the Poughkeepsie Journal are not eligible to enter the contest — because it just wouldn't be fair to all of you. I mean, just look at the banner at the top of this blog.

Good luck.