Reigning cats and dogs
<p>Rico Ciccone, co-owner of Cricket's Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, left, and Naomi Daniell will host the will host the 9th Annual Westminster “Best in Show” party Tuesday with Pete Chichester and Dori Peck benefiting the Kootenai Humane Society.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Jo Jo won't be at the Ninth annual Best of Show Party on Tuesday to benefit the Kootenai Humane Society.
The 10-year-old won't be allowed inside Cricket's Steakhouse and Oyster Bar.
Instead, the springer spaniel will be back at the Kootenai Humane Society, waiting in its kennel to be adopted and head for its new home.
Still, the party is really in Jo Jo's honor, along with the other 50 dogs and even more cats at KHS.
"She's an awesome dog," said Pete Chichester, KHS marketing director. "She's a good girl."
Cricket's is once again hosting the fundraiser for the nonprofit dedicated to caring for homeless pets.
From 5-8 p.m. Tuesday it will be showing, on its multiple screens, the 137th Westminster Kennel Club all breed dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York, scheduled Feb. 11-12.
There will be food and drink specials, raffles and prizes and dog-themed games. Mark Peterson of KXLY will be the emcee.
Each year, the party attracts around 100 people and raises several hundred dollars. Dogs will be there in spirit - or in frames.
"They can bring pictures of their dogs," said KHS director Dori Peck.
Cricket's is happy to help, said Rico Ciccone, who owns the downtown restaurant along with dad, Robert.
"We have an opportunity to put the Westminster dog show on the TVs and throw a big party and help the humane society, and we're glad to do that," he said.
He and wife Naomi Daniell own two cocker spaniels, Sparky and Coco.
Sparky came from the KHS shelter in February 2009.
Naomi was a little reluctant to adopt the older, overweight dog, but Sparky proved a great walking companion on Tubbs Hill.
Today, the canine, believed to be about 12 or 13 years old, is healthy, playful and a good 15 pounds lighter.
"We're very much for helping out the humane society," she said.
If you go
The 137th Westminster Kennel Club all breed dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York is scheduled Feb. 11-12. It will be on the screens Tuesday at Cricket's Steakhouse and Oyster Bar in Coeur d'Alene. A fundraiser, Best in Show Party, for the Kootenai Humane Society will be 5-8 Tuesday at Cricket's. There will be food and drink specials, raffles and prizes and dog-themed games.