The L.A. Pet Fair, the largest pet expo and sale open to the public, keeps getting bigger and bigger. Three shows – Pet Expo USA, APEX – The Aquarium & Pond Expo, and Reptile Super Show – will be taking over three buildings here at Fairplex, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. One ticket lets you into all three.
Just added is Vladae, The Russian Dog Wizard, an international star in the dog training field. He’ll be at Pet Expo USA in Fairplex 6. Vladae speaks five languages, one of them “doglish.” People call him “The Russian Dog Wizard,” a miracle worker, or just “Vladae 911″ because he is able to help with their dogs when others fail.
Vladae will be joining other celebrities at Pet Expo USA, including Shorty Rossi of Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” Linda Blair, founder of the WorldHeart Foundation; Larry Thomas (the “Soup Nazi” from “Seinfeld”), Mackenzie Phillips, Megan Blake, and Max Wasa. And there will be plenty of four-legged celebrities, too. For more info, check out petexpousa.net.
APEX – The Aquarium & Pond Expo in Fairplex 7 will be literally a “Water World” with fresh-water, salt-water, and outdoor pond displays. Fish, coral and plants will be available for sale, along with dry goods and equipment. The APEX FinZone has a marine animal touch tank for kids of all ages. More info: aquariumpondexpo.com.
Reptile Super Show in Fairplex 9 offers thousands of lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs along with all the supplies and accessories. More than 200 vendors from all over the world will feature the largest selection of captive-bred reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can learn from experts about breeding reptiles (with eggs hatching during the show). Huge snakes and even a two-headed turtle will be showcased. Find out more at reptilesupershow.com.
A two-day pass is available Saturday for $20 for adults, $12 for ages 12 and under. One-day admission is $12 for adults, $8 for ages 12 and under. Attendees will receive a coupon for $5 admission good any weekday of the Fair.
Learn more at lapetfair.com or call (619) 281-PETS.
Fairplex will be the center of the ever-lovin’ pet universe the weekend of Aug. 7 and 8 when the 
The San Dimas Ride for Life has organized a unique way to raise money for the American Cancer Society – horseback riding. Instead of walking in a Relay for Life, equestrians will ride their horses for a 10-hour ride-a-thon at Fairplex this Saturday for cancer support.
And don’t let these few sprinkles stop you. Every event is either in one of the buildings or under a covered barn, so no worries! There is so much to see, so plan to stay for awhile. I was just out there and found the amazing Gypsy Vanner horses. Gypsy Vanners are horses bred by gypsies in Great Britain. They are very docile and easily trainable. The breed has been in the U.S. for about 15 years. This fella to the left was most interesting, looking like a cross between Tiny Tim and Russell Brand. The Gypsy Vanners are in Fairplex 10 along with other breeds, including miniature horses and Fighting Furrari, the thoroughbred that played Seabiscuit in the movie about that famous horse (did you know some race track scenes from Seabiscuit were filmed here at Fairplex?).
hing and saddles. There is even a simulated riding apparatus that shows you via a big screen how to ride and handle a horse. Don’ts miss the Extreme Cowboy Race. A complete list of seminars and classes can be found at 
For motorcycle and chopper fans, don’t miss the Easyriders show. The show offers competitions, vendors selling the finest in rider leather gear, bike shops selling the best on two wheels and live entertainment. And talk about things to see! Full Throttle Saloon, the world’s largest biker bar from the reality show on True TV, will be pouring the fun. And don’t miss the world’s fastest motorcycle – the BUB Seven Streamliner designed by Denis “BUB” Manning, which rolls into the show at 367 mph. Big Bear Choppers will also have illusionist Criss Angel’s chopper on display. The show runs Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check the 
Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. We’ll probably bump into each other. My deskmate is a bearded dragon, Brutus Maximus, formerly known as Heather. We had to change his name when we found out he wasn’t exactly a Heather.
