Ah, the joys of a dog walkathon

[fluffypuppylover]

Abbie and I have been working on her walking and today was an especially good day. There was a mini walkathon going on about a block from my house along our town's canal. Raising money for a local shelter I believe, and everyone was encouraged to bring their dogs. I didn't enter, as I wasn't sure how long Abbie would entertain the idea of this, but I tagged along.

It was a small but lovely turnout, maybe about 50 people, with about 20-30 dogs, lots of pitties, retrievers, spaniels, and hounds. Things went pretty well, I found a lovely German Pointer and its owner and walked along with them. Abbie and the Pointer, Ace, got along great, and she behaved quite well. She almost seemed to be a bit primia donna-ish in her ways, she'd stick her head up high and behave especially well when we we're passing these little Setter pups who were holy terrors on the leash. I couldn't help but laugh. Everytime we were near them, she'd slow to my pace and heel, and almost seemed to prance, instead of walk.

After the first 30 minutes, people got stupid. Some of them decided to let their dogs off leash. A Greyhound took off into the woods after a rabbit. A retriever jumped into the icy canal after some ducks. A pair of Chi's ran underfoot annoying the larger dogs and nearly tripping us. And when they weaved underneath a Pit/Lab mix and the Pit/Lab snarled, the Chi owner, who was no where near her dogs, turned, called for them, and yelled "******* Pits. Try to keep your dog from killing mine!" Several people asked her to leash the Chi's but she kept saying her dogs weren't aggressive, and the glaring at any Pit or Pit Mix in sight.

Running into the ducks was a bit fun though. After the woman got her dog out of the water anyway. Abbie seemed to know what they were and she froze and started wagging her tail and had this big doggie grin on her face. A couple of other dogs went into Point and some others tried to chase the ducks and geese. It wasn't anything out of control, all dogs were leashed and no one was letting the dogs or ducks get too close. Until the little Chi's ran at the ducks, yapping and snarling. That was a bit scary, as either could have easily gotten hurt. And the Chi's owner was off talking on her cell phone about 30 feet ahead of the dogs! She was the biggest downfall of the outing.

All in all it was a great day. Abbie walked 2 miles and home, and didn't stop once. I think she really does do better with other dogs around, its too bad I don't really know anyone to walk with. Most of the people at the walk were from out of town.

Anyone else here ever been on something similiar to this? I've heard of walkathons for human causes, some that allowed you to bring your dogs, but this one seemed to be specifically for a shelter and it was encouraged we bring our dogs.

[zookeeper]

Oh how fun (well, except for the ****chi owner). Sounds like a wonderful day. Wish we had things like that around here - but in the summer of course!

[poodlesmom]

Sounds like you & Abbie had a fun day!

Every summer the obed. school we go to has a Dog Walk for Charity which is open to the public as well. Depending on the weather we usually end up with anywhere from 30-100 dogs and their humans. All the dog must be kept on leash as it is held at a beautiful Town Park. The one exception is when we get to the boat launch area on the river some of the dogs who are reliable off-lead get to go for a swim and a fun game of retrieving sticks throw into the water. Last year we had about 20 dogs at one time having a grand old time without any scraps at all.

It is always a fun day and one we look forward to every year. Plus a couple of the local rescue groups usually end up with pretty sizable donations.

[Haven]

Sounds like you and Abbie had a great time! It sounds like she behaved perfectly

In Indianapolis, our humane society teamed up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and area sponsors to put on the "Mutt Strut". It started in 2004 and it's an awesome event that is held in early May right when the whole city is getting revved up for the race. Last year over 1500 people and their dogs attended. Some of the Indy 500 drivers and their pets came too. The course is around the Speedway oval. I don't know if they will be doing it again next year, but I hope so.