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Canines, kids are stars at fundraiser DEL MAR ---- Del Mar Horsepark went to the dogs Friday. Nearly 2,000 of them demonstrated their agility and brought smiles to children fighting life-threatening diseases at what organizers say is the largest dog show on the West Coast. The fifth annual Wags for Wishes fundraiser continues through the weekend, and one of the event's stars Friday was Caroline Cox, 9, of Escondido.

With the help of human and canine professionals and a shepherd's staff, Caroline corralled five sheep. If leukemia had deprived Caroline of youthful abandon, it sure didn't show as the beaming, brown-eyed girl penned the sheep in no time. Before her brief stint as Little Bo Peep, Caroline sipped a soda in the shade with her parents, Carmen and Jeff, and 3-year-old sister Jane.

Caroline said her own dog, Bella, wasn't much of a competitor. "All she can do is take out socks and slippers," she said. Caroline's wish was for a pony.

In December, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego delivered, and today she's taking riding lessons in Escondido on a pony of her own. "We'll grant just about any wish that a child could conceive," said Chris Sichel, executive director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, one of 69 chapters in the organization. One kid wanted to visit an ice castle, he said, but most of their wishes are to meet someone, like a celebrity or athlete or the president.

The foundation has arranged for more than one child to visit the Oval Office, Sichel said. "Nobody says no to Make-A-Wish," he said. And at the dog show, nobody says "No dogs.

" Visitors can bring their own dogs as long as they're leashed and are behaved. Some participants, human and canine alike, came from as far as Canada. Motor homes and trailers flanked the show grounds, which usually are reserved for horses.

Pam Lucado said she didn't think twice about driving from her home in Fullerton to Del Mar with Moose, a Labrador and poodle mix. "This is a great course," Lucado said. "It's like Disneyland for dogs.

" On his second try, Moose completed something called a "lure course," where dogs chase a fake rodent that zips through obstacles. Toni Kuzmack of San Diego said the wish of Riley, her West Highland white terrier, was to close his jaws on that fake rodent. For his efforts, Kuzmack will treat him to some Frosty Paws Doggie Ice Cream and a refreshing dip in the pool.

"He's obsessed with catching that squirrel," she said. Still more feats played out at the Splash Dogs pool, where dogs leaped after their favorite toy in a kind of canine long jump. A chocolate Lab named Ruthie needed some coaxing but finally jumped in.

By contrast, a black Labrador named Hogan bolted at the command of his owner and jumped a distance of 21 feet, 7 inches. Mark Stuart of San Diego said he saved Hogan from being euthanized. Now, Hogan and Stuart travel the country to perform doggie long jumps.

"He's really experienced and does a lot of swimming and chasing balls," Stuart said. "He was a little off his best today, but I'm sure proud of him." Contact staff writer Adam Kaye at (760) 901-4074 or akaye@nctimes.

com. Wags for Wishes 2007 What: Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego's dog show and fundraiser for children fighting life-threatening diseases to 5 p.m.

today and Sunday Admission: 5, children 12 and under enter free Information: (858) 707-9474 or www.wishsandiego.org Next Story: The river by which other rivers are measured Visit our news blogs at blog.

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