"Reigning Cats & Dogs"

Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

It will be "Reigning Cats & Dogs" for the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux all during the 2008 season.

The theme was announced Friday at Mojo’s amid "meow" and "barking" contests that drew looks of astonishment from the bar’s regulars who had bellied up the bar downstairs.

That is animal lover Mary Hines all dolled up like a cat ... or maybe it is a leopard ... for the gathering.

Bakus captain Michelle Christian was quarterbacking the fun affair that also featured an array of hors d’oeuvres - and drinks from the bar.

Among the revelers: Derrel and Sandy Franks, Craig and Barbara Seal, Shelby Duay, Bill Hines, Don and Hedy Hebert, Mary Brownfield, Matt Meyer, Barbara Rice, Barkus Co-Captain Cheryl Rockwell, Jim Thomas, Avery Lathem.

If you missed it, you can catch the Barkus Coronation Aug. 12 at Mardi Gras Museum. (Admission: $35. Information: www.animalkrewe.org.)