Contest Nearly Scratched Few Entrants But Lots Of Fun At Post Falls Fest

If Kyle Turner was an animal he’d be a dog - a golden retriever to be precise.

Turner, a 6-year-old from Post Falls, was convinced Saturday that he looks a lot like his pet retriever, RJ.

After all, both dog and boy sported matching sunglasses, baseball hats, blue T-shirts and - for a brief time - matching denim shorts.

“(RJ) didn’t have a belt so he lost his shorts,” said Melody Turner, Kyle’s mom.

A panel of judges at Saturday’s Post Falls Festival of the Falls was convinced by the uncanny resemblance.

They awarded the kid-canine combo first place during the pet-owner look-alike contest. The prize was a trophy filled with doggy biscuits.

Of course, the competition wasn’t too stiff. Lynnette Conn and her dog Rusty were the only other entrants.

Their similarities? Conn wore a purple shirt and Rusty sported a purple leash.

By Saturday afternoon more than 1,000 people had turned out for the first-ever Festival of the Falls at Falls Park, said organizer Nancy DiGiammarco.

Festivalgoers spent the day perusing pottery, paintings, hand-tied fishing flies and other goods offered by a variety of venders.

They were tantalized by the wafting smell of Mexican food and German sausages and were entertained by several bands - and a few dogs.

In addition to the pet look-alike contest, there was “Der Weiner Dog Personality Contest.”

Boompus and Woody the weiner dogs - or dachshunds - went head to head to show off their unique brand of character.

Woody ate a french fry for the crowd. “He doesn’t really do anything exceptional, he’s just a sweet dog,” said his proud owner Stella Walsh.

“Sit, sit, sit on your butt - roll over, roll over,” Bonita Weimer told her dog, Boompus. The young dachshund refused to do either.

Woody won.

Kyle and RJ had no problem splitting up their winnings - the kid took the trophy while the hound happily chomped away on the doggy treats.

Boy and his best friend have more than just their fashion sense in common, Kyle’s mother insisted.

“They’ve both got fuzzy hair. They both love baths. Kyle’s got the little puppy eyes, too,” Melody said.

But one thing the two don’t share is a love for dog biscuits.

“I’ve tasted one before,” Kyle said with a scowl. “It was yucky.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo