Puppy power

LaKenley Young, 7, loves playing with her dachshund Duke in her parent's back yard. She said aside from playing catch the human, she and Duke also dance as her 4-year-old sister, Katelynn, sings Bible songs.

CNJ staff photo: Gabriel Monte

LaKenley Young, 7, runs with her pet dachshund Duke at Thursday's youth pet show at the Curry County Fair. Young and three other children won first prize for their pets.

On Thursday, Duke and LaKenley did their dance for an audience of about a dozen people at the Curry County Fairgrounds grass show ring at the fair's youth pet show.

Young and three other youths won first prize for their pets. The Gomez children, including Jolene, 12, Angelisa, 11, and Jovany, 9, brought their pet Yorkshire terriers, dressed up in boas, capes and masks. The contestants were judged by audience applause.

LaShawna Young, LaKenley's mother, said Duke was a rescue dog her husband brought home about a month ago from the veterinary clinic where he works as a vet tech.

The Young's have two other dogs, a blue heeler and a red heeler, but Young said her daughter had always wanted one of her own.

"When her dad brought him home wrapped up in a blanket, she saw him and started screaming she was so excited," she said.

She said her daughter immediately ran to the dog when she saw him.

"I said he was cute," LaKenley said.

This was LaKenley's second time showing at the event, Young said. When she was 2 years old LaKenley brought her grandmother's miniature donkey to the pet show and received a participation award.

This time LaKenley said she wanted to show off her dog.

"I feel good (winning first place)," she said.