Moore County Kennel Club will host the Camp Lejuene Canine Section Military Working Dogs for a demonstration at noon Saturday, Sept. 13, during the club's annual all-breed and obedience shows at the Harness Track in Pinehurst. The shows are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14. Admission is free, but there is a $5 parking charge.

In addition to these events, there will also be a microchip clinic and a rabies clinic.

The presentation will be held in the center ring of the show site. The Marines and their charges will present a simulated bomb and drug-sniffing demonstration, showing just what the dogs are trained to do. They will be on hand to talk to the spectators.

"The club hopes the general public will take advantage of their visit," says Maryann Phillips, the club's Military Working Dog (MWD) representative. "These troops do not often have the chance to interface with the public, and we feel this is a unique opportunity to do just that."

For several years the club has been donating items to enhance the lives of the working dogs, to both Camp Lejuene and Fort Bragg MWD sections.

"This year we are honored to have the Camp Lejuene contingent visit us at our show," says Phillips.

MCKC board member Bob Forsyth was a dog handler in the Marines during World War II, and both Bob and the Marines have a special relationship. As a result of these visits the club has come to know more about these hard-working young men and their talented working dogs.

"The work of these teams of young men and women and their charges are basically under the radar as far as the general public is concerned," Phillips says. "The MWD and handlers are commonly known throughout the military community for enhancing the ability of the Marines to perform their duties in the hostile world that they encounter daily."

These teams that will be demonstrating on Saturday are all veterans of the Middle East theater of operations serving at home and abroad.

"We hope that we will get a big turnout to watch these amazing duos, and more importantly to show our support for these hard-working military men and women," says Phillips.

For details about the demonstration, call Phillips at 295-5018.

For information about the dog shows, call Jane Forsyth, show chairman, at 295-2515 or Janet Dalton, assistant chairman, at 692-9341.

Nona Burrell is a longtime member of the Moore County Kennel Club.