Pugs, pugs, everywhere! More than 100 in the costume competition alone, plus hundreds more running, playing and keeping a sharp eye out for any treats that might be within sniffing distance. Yes, the Ninth Annual Pug Parade, presented by SARASOTA Magazine and Lakewood Ranch, was bigger and better than ever.

Grand Marshal Christina Crane from Oldies 106 led the parade in the official Pug Mobile, accompanied by Peanut, as they both tossed out beads to the frenzied crowd. Then it was on to the tent, where Crane and fellow judges Jocelyn Stevens of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, cartoonist Chris Browne, Deborah Millman of the Humane Society of Sarasota County and Sondra Guffey of Lakewood Ranch cast an appraising eye on this year's talent. The winners: Most Physically Fit, Oscar and Daisy Duhl; Best Costume, Evolutia; Best Celebrity look-alike, Misty May; Best Human-Pug Ensemble, Sandy Gross and Suzi Q; Ms. Congeniality, Daisy; and Best of Show, Pudge and Pippa. Honorable mentions went to Tiffany, Tulip Lulu and Fiona Maurice.

Many thanks to sponsors Dr. Anne Chauvet and ACE Pet Resort. The Pug Parade is one of those events like Mardi Gras. The minute it's over you start dreaming up your costume for next year. See you there!