Canines, felines and rats...Oh my! Published July 15, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot AFB pet owners and their pets braved a windy day to attend the Minot AFB pet fair here July 12. Jessica McIntire, program director for the base community center, said the inspiration for the pet fair was to find a way for pet lovers to get together. "It's a way to get people out so they can socialize with their pets, as well as other pet owners," McIntire said. Pet fair attendees participated in up to six different contests for their pets. The contests were Best Canine, Best Feline, Most Unusual Pet Trick, Owner/Pet look-alike, Best Dressed and Most Unique Name. Top winners in each contest were given a ribbon along with additional prizes such as pet brushes and food bags. "There was more than $3,000 in prizes given out," said Army Sgt. Michael Hudson, veterinarian technician at the Minot AFB vet clinic. "All the prizes were donated by local pet stores." "It was great to see the community giving back to the base," Sergeant Hudson added. While the majority of pets at the fair were dogs and cats, there was one pet that not only raised eyebrows, but won a ribbon as well. It was a hairless rat owned by Keagan Wyatt, son of 1st Lt. Aubrie Jones, 5th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander. His pet rat, Mr. Bigglesworth, won second place for most unique name. While some may see a hairless rat as an odd looking pet, Keagan said it was love at first sight. "I used to have fish, but you couldn't hold them so they got a little boring," said Keagan. "One day we went to the pet store down the street from my house and I saw Mr. Bigglesworth. He was so cute I just had to get him." While the pet fair was a way for pets and owners to enjoy time in the outdoors, it was also a way to educate people on pet health and safety. The Souris Valley Humane Society was in attendance to help inform the public and answer any questions the fair participants had about pet care. With 30 plus mph winds, the day could have been a disaster. But the pets and their owners persevered and kept their spirits high. The wind was strong enough to blow the dress off of a dog, but not strong enough to dampen the pet lovers' spirit.