"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

This past Sunday, I collected a few choice pieces of camera gear and set off for Mutts Mania, the annual dog show hosted by Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, a staple adoption agency with 40 years of experience in the East Hanover, NJ area. What awaited me were hordes - hordes - of dogs that, if I let my guard down, would all be at home with me right now. 

Not only were there adoptable pets en masse at the event, but visitors were encouraged to bring their own dogs for some socializing, training sessions, and contests. While I missed the extravagant dog fashion show, I did manage to snap off a few keepers of the adoptable dogs, guest mutts, and some celebrities on hand.  

My favorite dog? An incredibly  social and friendly shepherd by the name of Jazz (the one with the blue eyes giving my camera the what-the-hell-are-you look). She's fortunate enough to already belong to a loving family - if she hadn't been, I'd be stocking up on allergy medication and doing my damnedest to bring her home!

Consider giving the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter a look if you are planning to adopt a pet or would like to donate a few bucks for a great cause.