Pug News - 8 Canines Sniff Out Status As Top Dog

By Quynh Tran, Staff Writer, Contra Costa Times
Copyright Contra Costa Times

Election season is in heat in Montclair. Candidates are rebuffing nosy competitors to keep their advantage while others are pushing their campaign team out in full force.

The prestige does not equal a prize at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but being elected Montclair Doggie Mayor is not just something to sniff and scratch about.

Seven canines are vying to unseat incumbent Percy the pug, owned by Niels Dahl-Jensen of Montclair Antiques.

"We're going to win this election," said competitor Charlie's campaign manager Jay Clapper, general manager of Crogan's Montclair.

"Percy was just around here sniffing and we sent him away," Clapper said.

Charlie, a corgi with one blue and one brown eye, has garnered a political machine previously unseen in this race.

Employees at Crogan's don Charlie's campaign T-shirts and encourage patrons to support their candidate.

The title goes to the canine with the most cash contributions in his or her name to the Montclair Veterinary Hospital Pet and Wildlife Fund, an educational program that teaches owners to properly care for their animals.

Election officials are thrilled at this year's turnout. Polling began May 29 at the Montclair Village Farmers Market and continues until Sunday at noon. The Montclair Veterinary Hospital and California Savings Bank have polls for all candidates. Sponsoring businesses' polls are open for their candidates only. The winner will be announced at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Farmers Market.

"This is a great opportunity for the community to come together for a common cause," said organizer Lee Richter, executive director of the fund.

The fund and electoral race was established last year to increase awareness of the volunteer work of the Montclair Veterinary Hospital, which serves as a drop-off point for wildlife. Last year, the hospital took in 260 wildlife animals. The animals are taken to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, a rehabilitation and educational center in Walnut Creek.

The race raised $1,600 last year, a benchmark already surpassed by the popularity of this year's candidates, Richter said. Next year's race may be opened to felines and exotic animals.

Early polls show strong support for the corgi.

"I've seen people drop in a $20 after their drink at Crogan's," Richter said.

However, Percy, the little West Highland white terrier isn't intimidated. She has already faced formidable canines during her morning training walks with owner and architect Claudia Falconer.

She's held her own in the gauntlet of bitter dog turf wars at Peet's coffee shop, Falconer said.

Having the same name as the incumbent Percy may even give her an edge, whose supporters -- children -- tend to be 3 feet tall or shorter and like to pet her head.

"There's been some confusion with her name, like John Kerry and John Edwards," Falconer said. "But it's time for a change in leadership in Montclair and she will have a new look."

The winner receives a gift package from the Montclair Veterinary Hospital with a $50 gift certificate and a 2005 Doggie Mayor T-shirt and, of course, the loudest bark and proudest wag in town.