| Scores of eager dogs walked their masters in Baker Park on Saturday morning during the 14th annual Walk-N-Wag fundraiser hosted by the Frederick County Humane Society.
The event was Brigitte Farrell's fourth as executive director of the Humane Society.
This year, there were nearly 50 sponsors, and about 250 people who came to donate $25 or more to the society.
Farrell expected to raise about $30,000 in total, which she said would go to spay and neuter programs, rabies vaccinations, microchip identification systems and financial assistance for pets in crisis.
Constant support from the veterinarian community was crucial to the event, and the humane society's overall success, Farrell said.
U.S. Bank was the top fundraiser, and some of the people who worked to bring in pledges will receive 10-minute chair massages at work, Farrell said.
Local artist Rebecca Pearl will paint a pet portrait for the top individual fundraiser. Other prizes for those who went above and beyond the $25 registration fee included gift certificates to local restaurants and doggie spas, clinics and trinket shops.
A blessing of the dogs and a walk around the park kicked off the day, with training courses and contests that followed. Prizes went to the best tail wagger, the silliest pet trick and closest owner-dog look alike, among others.
"It's a great day for dogs and their people," Farrell said.
Nick Richards of Frederick held on as one of his four golden retrievers, Boomer, wiggled about, sniffing passersby. A fervent supporter of the humane society, Richards said he enjoyed gathering information from the tents surrounding the gazebo in the park.
Jeni Heimbuch of Boonsboro and Sean Moore of Middletown showed up with their two pit bulls.
Heimbuch said she met the owner of their pets' mother at last year's fundraiser, who later gave them the animals. She said she came, in part, to reunite old family members.
Jackie White of New Market brought her greyhound, Nocchi, for the first time. White is part of Greyhound Welfare, a volunteer rescue group dedicated to adopting and placing greyhounds.
In the past, greyhounds were used in dog races, worn out and then killed in large numbers, White said. Now, most race circuits sign up for a no-kill policy, she said.
Most of the greyhounds she places in local homes come from Daytona Beach, Fla., a hotspot of dog racing. Though some may have issues from their racing days, it's nothing that a little love can't overcome. |