SIBLEY, Iowa -- Kids of all ages gathered at the Osceola County Fairgrounds for the small pet and dog show Wednesday afternoon. From dogs and cats to hamsters and hermit crabs, a wide variety of animals were represented throughout the show.
As kids prepared to show their pets for judging, Sheila Smith reviewed the critiquing essentials kids must include during their portion of the competition.
"Kids must be able to present their animal with pride," said Smith. "They must be able to communicate their overall knowledge of their particular animal and how they care for it."
Smith, the small pet and animal show judge, has been involved with 4-H for 19 years and has judged small animals for eight or nine years in a row.
"It doesn't matter if the animal is a snail or a dog, I'm going to judge them all on an equal basis," explained Smith. "I'm not going to discourage kids in any way. I'm here to help them learn how to take better care of their animals."
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While waiting for the competition to begin, Karissa Wagner, 11, of Sibley, tended to her chocolate brown guinea pig, Freddie.
"This is my second year competing in the pet show, but I'm excited because I'm showing Freddie for the first time," said Wagner. "I just got him last August, so he's only about a year old."
Wagner explained the process of competing in the small pet and dog show in comparison to putting together a school project.
"First, you have to make a report or poster on your animal and why you chose that animal," explained Wagner. "You have to make sure you include what you feed your animal, how you take care of it, and you have to make sure you have pictures of where it lives."
Wagner is a member of the Osceola County Westerners 4-H Club and has about a dozen rabbits and four chickens on display at the Osceola County Fair along with Freddie.
"I love animals and taking care of them. Freddie is funny because he squeaks at me when he wants an apple," laughed Wagner. "He's always hungry."
She described how Freddie almost got lost on the way to the small pet and dog show. As Wagner and her family drove to the fairgrounds, Freddie's cage broke open. Once Freddie got out, Wagner explained how he escaped and ran underneath the car.
"I was afraid I was going to lose him," said Wagner. "But I caught him and put him back in his cage."
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As for the judging, Wagner looked forward to getting rewarded for all the hard work she put into her guinea pig report.
"I like getting ribbons," said Wagner. "Then I know I did a good job."
