Algonquin family takes the cat show

When it came to snagging three out of four awards during Friday's cat show at Algonquin Founders' Days, it was all in a day's work for the Abdallah family.

The festival's dog and cat show attracted 24 dogs and nine cats.

Dressed as a court jester - complete with a hat adorned with bells at each tip - Snuggles the siamese cat won best costume.

The costume was deliberate, said owner Kathy Abdallah, of Algonquin, since Mardi Gras is the theme of this year's Founders' Days.

"He loved the costume, actually. He didn't want to take it off last night," she said.

Snuggles' roommate Carmello, with whiskers measuring in at five inches, took first place in the longest whiskers category, said Dana Abdallah, Kathy's daughter.

And Carmello's blue-eyed brother Kobe won the most exotic cat contest - he was the only entry in that category.

"He has a pretty face," said owner Nick Abdallah, Kathy's son.

The Abdallahs have a fourth cat named Sadie, but she was feeling cranky, so the family let her guard the house, Kathy Abdallah said.

Meanwhile, Picasso, the harlequin great dane, made history as the largest dog to ever win the "biggest dog" category, said Rusty Cherbak, chairwoman of the dog and cat show.

Owner Mark Ofenloch of Algonquin said his black and white spotted dog weighs 150 pounds and chows down on seven cups of food a day.

"He eats like we do - he eats a lot," Ofenloch said.

Cherbak was grateful Picasso didn't give anyone reason to clean up after him.

The 49th-annual festival continues Saturday and Sunday and is being held at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., in downtown Algonquin. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children.

There is no charge for the festival on Sunday.

For details, visit algonquinfoundersdays.com.