Duckie knows what it means when I hold up his leash—it means he is going somewhere, and if it involves a car ride, all the better.

He offered no resistance as I clipped it on his collar and led him to the car. He was happy as we headed to Pendleton King Park, the site of the Fifth Annual Augusta’s Next Top Dog competition Aug. 21.

MORE: Dog Parks Offer Fun Play for Pooches

I’d written a ...