The Villages - August 2019 - 5

Like Mickey, Wiggins enjoys performing for audiences.
"I have always enjoyed entertaining; I danced when
I was younger then I was a model for 21 years in South
Florida, and I made appearances, representing Margate,
Florida after being chosen Miss Margate," she said. "That
felt like showbiz and it all came together when I moved
here. The Dynamic Dog Club had a drill team and we did
formations and Mickey could follow."
After that, Wiggins began teaching little Mickey to ring
bells and do other silly stunts for the crowds. Three years
ago, they teamed up with a new pack: The Dynamic Dog
Club's Traveling Doggy Circus, appearing at recreation

centers and Camp Villages events. The circus performs
monthly for donations to benefit the Patriotic Service Dog
Foundation, an organization that provides service dogs to
disabled veterans.
"We are so proud that, so far, we have collected enough
money to buy three dogs," Wiggins said. We have just
started taking bookings for 2020."
Mickey's role includes playing a clown, ringing a bell,
spinning a ball, jumping through hoops and balancing
on a small beam.
Other circus canines wear glimmering capes or pose as
lions, pandas and policemen. Together, they forge a cast
of beloved characters. With Wiggins acting as Mickey's
agent, stagehand and chauffeur, the two are the perfect
pair.
"The circus is cute and fun and in addition to
performing in the shows, I love making the costumes and
props," she said. "Mickey is not a perfect dog, but he's the
perfect dog for me."

Sometimes
people are alone
and afraid, but
when Mickey
shows up, they
smile and tell me
about their own
dogs - they even
pull out their
pictures. Other
times we entertain
kids who may
have an ailing
grandparent. When
Mickey does his
tricks, they cheer,
'again, again!' So
sometimes we're
playing around
and sometimes it's
serious work.
Mickey takes his
skateboard for a spin.

- Marleen Wiggins

MAGAZINE

5



The Villages - August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - August 2019

Contents
The Villages - August 2019 - Cover1
The Villages - August 2019 - Contents
The Villages - August 2019 - 1
The Villages - August 2019 - 2
The Villages - August 2019 - 3
The Villages - August 2019 - 4
The Villages - August 2019 - 5
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The Villages - August 2019 - 7
The Villages - August 2019 - 8
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