There was much woofing to be heard at the Duck Pond on Sunday afternoon. That's right–the 3rd annual Carnivale of the Dogs wagged its tail for the benefit of Companion Animal Advocates. While free food and giveaways tempted the crowd, it was the Delaney Dog Show that was undoubtedly the most popular activity here.

The Delaney Dog Show is named after the late and much loved Bill Delaney, a well known area dog trainer and founder of American Canine Academy. Delaney died of cancer several years ago.

"I wanted to train my own dog myself but I was just seven years old," said Sierra Gryzbowski, now 18. Sierra is the daughter of the event's organizer, Pat Bungert, and she served as the announcer for the dog show.

"Every other training facility turned me down but Bill said that he didn't care what age I was, if I loved my dog I was welcome. It's because of him that I got into agility training, something I still do with my dog Pyper," she said.

Companion Animal Advocates endeavors to help people facing hard times keep their pets at home rather than give them up to shelters. To that end, they try to stock food pantries with dog food and the group subsidizes neutering and spaying at local vets.

TD Bank sponsored the Carnivale and several vendors had set up booths outside the ring to showcase wares like organic dog food and shelter adoptions. There was also a company called The Poop Scoop Troop that comes to your house and clean up your dog's business.

Judges Mary Kay Ludden and Patricia Halko, both CAA board members had a hard job ahead of them–there were dogs dressed in tutus, as Native Americans, bees, can-can dancers and princesses. They also had to determine who would win Best Costume, Best Puppy, Best Kisser and Runway Ready.

"Look into her eyes," the owner of Lucy, a pit bull said as her pit walked by, trying to run away with the Best Puppy category.

Blue-eyed Lucy placed second.

Then there was Jamie, who, his owner whispered, was 'super friendly' and Kaili, a 180 lbs. Newfoundland dressed for autumn in a necklace of leaves. It was hard to pick out who would be coming away with a ribbon but Cole and Manny, brothers and King Cavalier pups, were trying hard.

After Gimlet, his coat painted in purple spots, took 1st place in the Best Costume category and Enzo, a 6-month-old Doberman won Cutest Puppy, it was onto the Best Trick category. Plenty of people stood outside the ring, whipping out their cameras for that one as Max the dachshund barked on cue, Buddy Boy bowed to his master, Rusty ran between his owner's legs and Aries gave his master a high five.

It was Sierra, though, that won, paws down for  looking at cue cards that said 'sit', 'stay', 'come' and then performing those tasks perfectly. How'd she do it, everyone wanted to know? Her owner just smiled and shrugged. Kaili slobbered her young owner with kisses to win in Best Kisser category and a very poised Mario the Shetland Sheepdog won for Runway Ready.

For the grand finale was the Best in Show. Five wonderful dogs walked by the ring but only one would walk away with the ultimate Blue Ribbon. The judges put their heads together and after just a few seconds, made their choice.

Enzo, a gorgeous Doberman puppy from Teaneck, with owners Jack and Maya beaming, took  top prize. Then it was time to start wrapping up, closing down all those vendor tents, cleaning up messes (the pooper scoop guy would come in handy for that one) and heading home with Man's Best Friend. 

Editor's Note: Full disclosure – the author of this article was also a judge at the contest.