At 12 years old, Katie Jo has traveled the country, gone boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean, survived cancer and has looked after her grandmother, Kay Kinder.
On Sunday, the miniature poodle took home a prize in the West Virginia Rainbow Pride Big Gay Dog Show - adding another accomplishment to her already impressive resume.
Owner Earline Kinder entered Katie Jo in the contest as a fun and special way to celebrate Pride Month in Charleston. Katie Jo stays with her grandma in Charleston for most of the year, but Earline Kinder was visiting from Youngstown, Ohio, this weekend and decided to enter her pup.
Katie Jo, dressed in a pink polka-dotted bikini, was one of eight dogs who participated in the annual show at the North Charleston Community Center on Charleston's West Side.
"I thought it would be fun. She's had a really big weekend. She's been to the drag races yesterday and then this today," Kinder said. "I'll tell you what, there's some stiff competition today. They're all very very cute. I just enjoy having her out here."
Katie Jo and Earline Kinder took home the Best Six-Legged Pair prize in the competition - winning a two-night stay at Dogwood Boarding in Culloden.
Paul Milam, organizer of the Big Gay Dog Show, said this year marks the eighth year the event has taken place in Charleston.
Dogs were judged by a panel of three judges based on categories of Best Six-Legged Pair, Best Fancy Dress or Costume, Most Mysterious Heritage/Best Story, Best Trick, and Best in Show.
The Kanawha Charleston Humane Association brought volunteers, who entered six shelter dogs in the competition.
Each competitor's $5 entry fee was donated directly to the human association. Adoption fees were waived at the shelter Sunday to celebrate the occasion.
"Pride is all about bringing communities together and working with other nonprofit organizations that help our K-9-type members of the community. A lot of people who came out, we think of our dogs as our kids - especially if we don't have any," Milam said. "It's nice to bring out your family on a nice day and do that as part of our community."
Dogs dressed in skirts, dresses, tutus and even swimwear were paraded through the dog park Sunday - showing off their fashion, tricks and the bond they have with their owners.
Some dogs danced for treats, others sported "walk of shame" costumes and several were decked out in rainbow Pride attire. Other dogs splashed in a kiddie pool at the dog park.
The leader of the pack in the competition was a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Lucky.
Lucky's owner, Jade Luu, said she almost didn't want Lucky - a rescue dog who needed lots of TLC - when she first met him. Now, she can't imagine life without him.
"He had lots of fleas, long hair. I thought it was too much," she said. "But I decided to go back and get him. He's my dog son. I love him so much."
Lucky sported a homemade Pride costume featuring rainbow pom-poms, a rainbow flag and an American flag bandanna.
Lucky's trick - one that impressed the judges the most - was to respond to commands in two different languages. Luu, who speaks English and Vietnamese, asked Lucky to come, sit and lie down in both languages.
In their time together, Luu said Lucky has learned to alert her when he has to use the bathroom, can tell her when he's hungry and has even spotted someone attempting to steal a car.
Lucky took home the overall Best in Show prize in the competition, and Luu beamed with pride when her dog's name was called as the winner.
"This is the first time Lucky has really gotten out with other dogs. And me, too," Luu said. "He's a very good boy."
Reach Carlee Lammers at 304-348-1230,
carlee.lammers@wvgazettemail.com
or follow @CarleeLammers on Twitter.