Family pet takes flight in namesake special shape for Balloon Fiesta

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – There’s a new special shape coming to Balloon Fiesta this year and it takes the love of a family dog to new heights.

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From Smokey Bear to the bumble bees, soon our favorite special shapes will fly in the sky. This includes some new ones like Churro which is believed to be the first photo-realistic dog in hot air balloon history. And the pilot may have you doing a double take. “It is so Churro. It looks just like her, it’s incredible,” said Heather Watkins, owner of Churro and Confetti Pebbles Hot Air Balloons in Utah.

The original Churro is one of the Watkins family dogs and the inspiration behind the new special shape. “She’s very high energy, she’s fun, she’s spunky,” said Watkins.

While most dogs have their heads out the car window, you can spot this mini Aussie Labordoodle with her head out of the balloon basket–glasses on, ears in the wind. “She pokes her head out and she’s just looking around, just watching, and she absolutely loves it,” said Watkins.

It all started when Churro broke her leg and started going up with the mother-daughter pilot duo and family balloon crew. “She would go ballooning with us and she would sit in her backpack,” said Watkins. Now, Churro is a natural.

“She does weight on, she’s right there near the burner,” she said. “She’ll actually sit by the back door every day when we go flying waiting to just go.”

Churro’s love of ballooning inspired the special shape and keeps this family not only taking their dog on a walk but on a flight. “I’m not going to get a dog that’s a cartoon dog, let’s do Churro because she is the true balloon dog,” said Watkins. “We’re just all family. So, it’s so fun when Churro’s there. She’s just part of us. She’s just part of the crew.”

Churro the balloon will mostly be flying the final Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Balloon Fiesta. KRQE News 13 was also told Churro the dog will most likely make an appearance. Churro the balloon is one of the 16 new special shapes this year. Balloon Fiesta begins on October 5.

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