While enjoying ballroom dance lessons with his wife, John Barclay said his natural rhythm was rather limited.
Either the retired police K9 unit handler was downplaying his abilities, or he had one heck of a teacher.
It was arguably both that led he and professional dance partner Ilinca Oprescu to victory at Thursday’s Prancing with the Stars at the Oakville Conference Centre.
The longtime Oakville and Milton Humane Society supporter delivered a show-stopping performance to Journey’s Separate Ways that earned the coveted Best in Dance Show trophy among a field of six participating pairs.
“The day I got married, the day I was accepted into the K9 unit and tonight are the top three highlights of my life,” said Barclay, whose police career included nine years with trusty brother in blue Nero.
Adding to the night’s excitement was the $180,000 raised for the OMHS, following last year’s tally of $165,000.
Said Barclay, “If it wasn’t for them, who would take care of the lost, abandoned, injured and unwanted animals? They do a tremendous job. As Gandhi once said ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Among this year’s dance participants, Heidi Lobel took home the Top Fundraiser Award, bringing in more than $18,000.
Thursday marked a measure of deja vu, as Osprecu partnered with last year’s winner – cancer survivor John Garofano – and also competed to a classic Journey song, Don’t Stop Believin’.
Visit omhs.ca for more on the shelter or to make a donation.