Every dog lover welcomes the opportunity to show off Buffy or Fido, and what better way to do it than by entering that pup in Best In Sheaux, supporting Robinson’s Rescue Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic?

Best In Sheaux 2017 will take place from 6:30 until 10 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at RiverView Hall, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. (Valet parking provided.)

“I think when a lot of people hear ‘Best in Sheaux’ or live runway dog show, they think of the traditional Kennel Club dog shows,” Kirsten Howard, director of development outreach for Robinson’s Rescue, said. “It is definitely not that. Your dog doesn’t have to be a ‘show dog’ to enter. We love unique dogs and breeds with interesting, colorful backgrounds.”

Already adopted foundlings and pound hounds can be “Sheaux” dogs at this event.

“Anyone can enter their dog; they just need to contact us,” she said. “There is an entry fee of $400, but all that goes toward our mission and benefits the organization.”

Each year, 16 local dogs, all different breeds and backgrounds, walk the runway and compete for the title of Best in Sheaux.

The idea is to garner votes for your dog, so owners are encouraged to pull out all the stops.

“People get their dogs to do tricks,” Howard said. “Last year, we had a few people dress up their dogs. We’ve had dogs wearing boas … whatever people would like to do to showcase their pup’s talents and how adorable they are … they will have a few minutes to walk the runway and do whatever they like. We encourage anything and everything.”

In true Louisiana style, you pay for your votes. Each vote is $5, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Robinson’s Rescue. Every vote counts and helps the organization get one step closer to their $100,000 goal.

There is online voting prior to the event, and Howard said photos and bios for the pups can be found at http://robinsonsrescue.org.

“So you can cast your vote ahead of time, but we encourage it at the event because it can get very competitive,” she said. “It makes it really fun.”

Robinson’s opened in 2008 and has hosted this as its biggest fund-raiser every year.

While Robinson’s does not have adoptable dogs, the fund-raiser highlights at least one dog from a local shelter.

“This year, we have a dog from Caddo Animal Shelter,” Howard said. “We will try and get that puppy adopted before the event is over.”

Other unique aspects include raffle tickets for items such as a dinner for 12 at Fairfield Place Bed and Breakfast, a George Rodrigue “Blue Dog” silkscreen print or a five-night stay in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Guests at the eighth annual event will enjoy live music from local band Audubon Place, complimentary beer from local brewery Great Raft, wine and the signature Pink Poodle Martinis. There is also a cash bar, catered dinner and a photo booth.

Robinson’s Rescue works to reduce overpopulation and euthanasia of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in the community by providing affordable spay/neuter on a sliding scale.

“We want every dog to have a loving home and live the luxurious life of a show dog,” said Dr. Andrea Master Everson, president and medical director for Robinson’s Rescue. “This is only possible if we as a community take initiative to prevent unplanned, unwanted litters from being born without a home.”

Tickets are $80 and may be purchased at http://robinsonsrescue. org/best-in-sheaux/. Lead sponsor for the event is Hilton Hotel of Downtown Shreveport. Sponsorships are still available and vary between $300 and $5,000.

For more information, call 318- 221-0017, ext. 9, e-mail khoward@ robinsonsrescue.org or visit Robinson’s Rescue at 2515 Line Ave., Shreveport.

Named for local businessman Bill Robinson, the clinic has spayed/ neutered more than 44,000 local animals and prevented more than one million unwanted animals from overpopulating the community. The clinic works with shelters in Caddo, Bossier, Webster, DeSoto and other surrounding parishes.

– Bonnie Culverhouse