Pet massage therapists give doggies a deep tissue rubdown after Saturday's Walk n Wag. Photos by: Richard L. Eldredge/AJC staff

Saturday’s first annual Ahimsa House Walk n Wag benefit for victims of human and animal domestic abuse offered  tail-wagging fun for all.

As long as you watched where you stepped.

Pets and their owners participated in either a one mile or half mile walk before returning to Lenox Park in Buckhead for some pooch-friendly festivities.

Massage therapists Victoria Kramer and Patti Crimens were offering K-9 rub downs for the droopy doggies after the walk.

“We’re just looking for any tightness they might be experiencing or any hip issues that might be there,” Kramer explained to Buzz. Bil-Jac Liver Treats supplied by Crimens helped the pampered pooches overcome any anxiety they had about strangers pawing them.

Sandy Springs Italian greyhounds Dora and Paloma owned by Shelly Aggelakos were reluctant to part with the colorful outfits they wore to the park.

Italian greyhounds Dora and Paloma.

Explained Aggelakos: “Since they have no body fat and no fur they get cold very easily. But they’re having a good time out here today.”

The most comic canines then participated in a competition for best tricks, best owner/dog resemblance and most vocal awards, all vying for a modelling contract in the 2010 Doggies on the Catwalk fashion show at Grady High School. The show’s director, Grady High Urban Couture fashion teacher Vincent Martinez was one of the judges Saturday.

Decatur resident Joey Bryan and his three-year-old boxer Calvin won both the resemblance competition and the modelling prize.

Best dog/owner lookalikes Joey and Calvin mug for the judges.

“This is all new to us,” Bryan told Buzz. “I wasn’t even going to sign him up. It’s Calvin’s first contest and he’s going big!”

Martinez told us: “Calvin will do beautifully at Doggies on the Catwalk. We’ve never had a boxer before in the show. He’s not easily distracted and he’ll ham it up for the crowd.”

To learn more about Ahimsa House, go to ahimsahouse.org.

Other winners included:  

Best Vocal winner Lucky with his owner Grace.

Best Trick winner Puma with owner Brian.