Pets on parade

Oh, my bling! The bejeweled sunglasses perched on the nose of Autumn Grace, an 8-year-old Pomeranian, were gorgeous. And the petite blond Pom-shell, who belongs to Kathy Jennings, wore them like a Hollywood starlet.

Autumn Grace was just one of the many canines who starred in the pet parade portion of the Pet Palooza event held June 3 and 4 at the World Equestrian Center west of Ocala.

The event also included adoption organizations with pets looking for forever homes, vendors and costume contests. There also were education seminars, animal encounters (such as with a baby gator) and agility events.

For the human attendees, there was a fun activity called Knockerball, where they could strap into a blown-up ball and roll around and bump into things, including other humans.

Over the two-day event, there was no end to the fun, fur-baby activities and pooches decked out in bling.