On Sunday, November 9^th the Palau Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) celebrated its 25^th anniversary with the revival of  ‘Olechotel a Bilis era Belau’ (Palauan Dog Show) at the Mindszenty High School Gym. The show was supported by the National Coordinating Mechanism for NCDs as a community outreach event and was deemed a huge success. Topics such as spay-neuter for humane animal population control, the importance of vaccinating animals and preventing animal-related diseases were featured.

The show opened by announcing Kendall Titiml as the winner of the PAWS theme song contest and presenting him with a special award courtesy of the NCD grant. He then performed his catchy jingle for the audience, which can be heard here (https://pawspalau.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PAWS-Jingle-Short-Intro-Master.mp3). Kendall also generously volunteered his sound system for the entire event.

Dogs competed in seven fun events including the popular ‘Best Trick,’ ‘Dog and Owner Costume Contest’ and ‘Obstacle Race’.  All participants received a dog show t-shirt and the top three winners of each category won colorful ribbons and valuable prizes, such as restaurant meals, gift cards and overnight stays. The ‘Best in Show’ dog and owner won an overnight stay at Palau Pacific Resort. The top prize was taken by ‘Lilikoi’, a 15-year-old spry gal. ‘Lilikoi’ wowed the audience with her amazing prancing walk every time she sashayed across the show ring with owner Rich MacKenzie on the end of her leash. While the smallest dog in the show, she won the spectator’s hearts and easily pranced away with the top prize.

Jeff Barabe with ‘DOC’ took home three 1^st place ribbons while Annabel Lyman with ‘Yoda’ and Harrison Umang with ‘Shuri’ each won a 1^st place ribbon.  Alex Ferrier ran the ever popular ‘obstacle race’ with his neighborhood dog and running partner (good training for the obstacle course) ‘Spot’, taking home 1^st place. All the dogs had the audience excitedly rooting for them as they did the jumps, weaves and tunnel.   ‘Lucky’ with Ikelau Otto took home several ribbons, as did Chriseve Inacio and ‘Peso,’ and Richie Adaba and ‘Cujo.’  Other winners included Ramil Villa with ‘Oishi’, Jane Menz with ‘Sandy’ and PAWS mascot and school program assistant ‘Chica’ with PAWS volunteer Nixon Jack.

Manzel Ngemeriil and his dog ‘Po’ MC’ed the show, keeping people laughing and dogs on their toes, and PAWS Founder Lori Colin and PAWS Board Member Jaime Ngirausui coordinated the competition events in the show ring and distributed ribbons and prizes.  Guest speakers included Palau’s three veterinarians and the show’s MC: PAWS vet Dr. Pamela Hernandez speaking about the importance of spay/neuter and heartworm prevention, Dr. Kristen Decina from Osebelel a Charm who spoke about the importance of pet vaccination, Dr. Ella Miranda from the Koror State Animal Shelter who spoke about dog registration in Koror, and MC Manzel Ngermerill spoke about dog bite prevention.  Between events the Police K9 Unit, run by Kennel Master Annie Emiliano, gave a short demonstration on dog obedience by K9 ‘Mare.’  The events were judged by Judge Materne, Dr. Kristen Decina and Dr. Ella Miranda.

The audience participated in a raffle, and prizes included a Smile Air rock island aerial tour, and 13 gift bags full of pet products from WCTC, gift certificates from Koror State, and prizes from Bank of Guam and Bank Pacific. Refreshments were for sale, provided by Fish n’ Fins and Kramer’s Bar and Restaurant and manned by PAWS vet assistant Dennis Moreno and Jolie Liston.  Civic Action Team 84-10 provided hot popcorn and face painting to add to the fun.

Sponsors were: Sea Passion Hotel, Jeff Barabe and Cassie Berg, NECO Group, Topside Mobil Mart, Elilai Seaside Dining, Canoe House, Palau Pacific Resort, Koror State Legislature, Coconut Engineering, WCTC, Australian Embassy, Republic of China Taiwan Embassy, CTSI Logistics, Calvin Ehrendreich Foundation, Melekau Agency, Family Surgical Clinic, Sam’s Tours, Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club,  Airai State Government, Bank of Guam, Belau Medical Clinic, Best Donut House, Carp Resort, Fish n Fins, Kirk & Shadel Law Office, Koror State Government, Krämer’s Bar & Restaurant, Lurs Mart, M&A Construction, MJ Restaurant, Osebelel a Charm, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Six80 Motorsports, Smile Air Inc, The Penthouse Hotel, The Taj Restaurant, Civic Action Team 84-10.

A big thanks is in order for all the volunteers who made it all possible, including:  PAWS Board Judy Otto, Lori Colin, Jaime Ngirausui, Carol Ngiraidis, Cliff Terry, Bernadette Kintaro & Blanche Salii; PAWS staff Dr Pamela Hernandez, Dennis Moreno and Rose Chamberlain, and

Alex Ferrier-Loh,  Annie Emiliano,  Christina Karanassos, Debbie Toribiong, Dr Ella Miranda, Dr Kristen Decina, Hannah Joss, Jolie Liston, Judge Materne, Kazue Joseph, Kendall Titiml, Manzel Ngemeriil, Maria Otto, Meangeldil Ayla Azuma-Malsol, Paul Cruz, and Victoria and Marco Jucutan.

***Photo Caption for ‘Dog Show 2025 After Article.jpg:’

Dogs and their handlers on the winners’ blocks at the PAWS 25^th Anniversary Palauan Dog Show, for the Most Interesting Tail category.  L to R:  Chriseve Inacio and Peso (2^nd place), Jeff Barabe and Doc (1^st place), and Nixon Jack and PAWS Mascot ‘Chica’ (3^rd place).

***Photo Caption for Dog Show 2025 After ArticleHarrison and Shuri.jpg’

Harrison Umang and his dog Shuri, dressed up as a reef fish (right) that Harrison had caught on his fishing pole, won 1^st place in the ‘Dog and Owner Costume Contest.’