Rotarians award virtual winners of Longboat's Hot Diggity Dog contest

By Dana Kampa
| 10:30 a.m. July 12, 2025

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Lightning may have canceled Longboat Key's Fourth of July Freedom Fest this year, but the Rotary Club of Longboat Key wasn't about to let the turn in weather rain on its doggy parade.

Winners of this year's virtual Hot Diggity Dog contest collected their prizes on July 11 at Bayfront Park, taking home treats from Dog Perfect.

Contestants emailed in their best photos to the Rotary Club, and members awarded the "Most Patriotic Dog," "Most Creative Dog Costume," "Best Owner & Dog Combination," and several honorable mentions.

Among those who came to claim their treats and toys was the Lowry family. Averil, mother to Magnolia and Goldie, brought the whole family to celebrate 4-year-old miniature poodle Lottie's win for "Most Creative."

"It's a really fun, family-friendly event we look forward to," she said. "They love the face painting and ring toss and other games."

She said walking in the parade in previous years has been a great confidence booster for the kids, and they all look forward to hopefully enjoying an in-person celebration next year.

The winner of the "Best Owner & Dog Combination" was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Susie Q.

Rotary has continued the tradition of organizing the Hot Diggity Dog contest as part of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's Freedom Fest parade. It originated from the group's focus on building up the dog park at Bayfront Park, around 2014.

Anne Ambtman, whose dog Ahsoka won the "Most Patriotic" prize, said she and David Ambtman scoured the internet for a fantastic Uncle Sam-inspired costume. They've enjoyed attending the Fourth of July parade for decades.

"It's just so cute seeing the dog parade, and we were excited to do it this year," she said.

The celebration has grown throughout the years, with Dog Perfect stepping in to sponsor prizes for the first time in 2024.

Owners Linda and Rob Emery helped distribute the prizes at the park and shared that she was opening a new location on July 12. The new shop at 1829 S. Osprey Ave. adds to its current stores at The Green at Lakewood Ranch, Landings of Sarasota, and the Square at University Town Center.

"We live here on Longboat, and when we saw a poster for the parade last year, we thought we could certainly contribute to it," Linda said.

Rotarians including Carol Erker said they appreciate the support and look forward to hopefully welcoming more pups than ever at next year's parade.

Lottie, the four-year-old miniature poodle, rides to victory in a toy car with Magnolia and Goldie Lowry in the "Most Creative" category of the virtual Hot Diggity Dog contest organized by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.

Averil, Goldie and Magnolia Lowry accept the prize for "Most Creative" costume modeled by their 4-year-old miniature poodle, Lottie, from Rotary Club of Longboat Key member Carol Erker.

Diane Baade, right, and her 4-year-old shepherd-doodle mix, Sugar, collect a goodie bag from Linda Emery with Dog Perfect.

This year's "Most Patriotic" canine costume winner was Ahsoka, an Australian shepherd-border collie mix, owned by Anne Ambtman.

Ahsoka investigates the treats at the prize table for this year's Hot Diggity Dog contest winners. Owner Anne Ambtman said Ahsoka was originally meant to be a running buddy but turned out to have the speedy yet short stamina of a cheetah.

David and Anne Ambtman collect Ahsoka's prize for "Most Patriotic" costume in this year's Hot Diggity Dog virtual contest.

Micky, owned by Barbara Diznoff, won an honorable mention at this year's Hot Diggity Dog contest.

Linda and Rob Emery from Dog Perfect present the awards for the virtual version of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's "Hot Diggity Dog!" Fourth of July contest. They met pets and owners at Bayfront Park on July 11, one day before opening a new location. Rotarians are Carol Erker, Jim Chirgwin and Andy Sawyer.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.