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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 13, 2009

Pikake's a pro at interisland travel


    By Leslie Kawamoto

     • Adoptables
    Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

    Every weekend, Pikake Yamashita travels with mom Sheri and dad Bruce from Moloka‘i to O‘ahu.

    Photo courtesy of Bruce Yamashita

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    Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

    Denby Dung, left, host of “The Pet Hui” on OC16, and Oahu SPCA co-founder Stephanie Ryan show off a trio of mixed-breed puppies available for adoption.

    Photos courtesy of Stephanie Ryan

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    Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

    This miniature pinscher/chihuahua puppy and its littermates are in need of “forever homes.”￿

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    Pikake, a 3-year-old Maltese, is always on the go. She boards an airplane twice every weekend and probably has logged more frequent-flier miles than most people.

    Her mom and dad, Sheri and Bruce Yamashita, have been commuting weekly to O'ahu for work and then back home on the weekends to Moloka'i.

    Sheri said, "Pikake started flying with us weekly (on commercial airlines), the very first day I bought her. She's used to plane rides and it's not a problem at all."

    Bruce bought his own Cessna 172 Skyhawk this year, and since February Pikake has had her own personal transportation for island-hopping. No more long lines or long waits at the gate.

    On every flight, 7-pound Pikake wears a doggie life vest purchased from West Marine on Sand Island Access Road. Sheri said, "The plane is 40 years old and we have to be safe! We plan also to buy her earmuffs."

    All this jet-setting would take a toll on anyone. Besides flying, Pikake's other favorite thing to do is sleep.

    DOGGIE FASHION SHOW

    Please visit the Hawai'i Woman Expo at the Blaisdell Center and meet the most adorable dogs needing homes.

    At 12:30 p.m. today, you'll see celebrities like Jordan Segundo, Denby Dung, Yasmin Dar and Sweetie Pacarro walk the catwalk with their own dogs and available puppies from the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But the celebrities won't be wearing the newest fashions, the dogs will.

    The Oahu SPCA recently rescued 400 animals from an animal refuge center on the Wai'anae Coast. Three litters were born in the last couple of months. The 15 adorable puppies will walk the runway modeling the latest pet fashions by Cocojor.

    Above, see some of the puppies that will be there this weekend. All of these dogs are in need of "forever homes" and are ready to start new lives.

    Entertainer Al Waterson will add color and fun emceeing the event.

    The Oahu SPCA hopes this pet fashion show will not only help these puppies find a home, but raise awareness about the need for more volunteers and foster homes.

    At the expo, there'll be plenty of shopping booths, food, fashion and fun as well as informational seminars for women.

    So come on down, enjoy all the activities the expo has to offer and consider taking home a new "best friend."

    Admission is $3.

    Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 19 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.