Itty bitty breeds, big bucks
Mighty Mutts raise $6,065 for Edmonton Humane Society at Pets in Park event
By Jennifer Fong, Edmonton JournalJune 29,
Scheri Manson stands with her chihuahuas Sadie, left, Paxton, Madison and Herbie, as they get ready to walk in the Fabulous Furballs 2.5 Kilometre Pledged Walk at the Edmonton Humane Society's Pets In The Park event on Sunday, June 29, 2009.Photograph by: Walter Tychnowicz, Edmonton JournalEDMONTON - The Mighty Mutts may be the smallest dogs, but they've got the biggest hearts.
The local off-leash meetup group for small and toy breed dogs were the top team Sunday at Pets in the Park's 2.5-kilometre Fabulous Furballs Pledged Walk at Hawrelak Park, raising$6,065 for the Edmonton Humane Society.
"We all have pets that are so lucky. In some way or another we spoil them, in that they have owners that are responsible," said Mighty Mutts founder Scheri Manson. Manson's three chihuahuas, who completed their lap comfortably in doggie strollers, have it good. But many other animals, she said, count on the Society for basic food, shelter, and care.
"It offers a great service, I think, to our city," added Kristy Fedoruk, Manson's daughter and owner of Sadie, a short-coat chihuahua and rat terrier cross. "This is one of their biggest fundraising events so it's great to get Mighty Mutts promoted, but also Edmonton Humane."
The Mighty Mutts, the biggest group to participate in this year's walk, was formed just over three months ago. Already, the group has grown to more than 80 members who meet weekly at Idylwylde Community League, where they secured access to an outdoor enclosed rink area through the summer.
Edmonton has more than 40 off-leash parks, but none are limited to small dogs. Two of Manson's chihuahuas are just seven months old and weigh a mere three pounds each. They could easily get hurt, she said, playing with bigger breeds.
Thanks to Mighty Mutts, members said, tiny tykes can exercise and socialize without fear of intimidation, while their owners can make new friends and share dog-related advice. Some members even travel from out of town just to attend meetups.
"It's the best thing that could have happened to us," said Judy Carter, owner of a miniature dappled dachshund named Pepper. "She got rolled too many times at the off-leash dog park in Beaumont by big dogs. They thought she was a play toy."
Since joining the Mighty Mutts in May, Pepper is much happier. Instead of being bullied, she's now the queen of her jungle.
"Literally, Pepper is the social butterfly of the group." Carter said.
About 30 members of the Mighty Mutts, decked out in matching red baseball caps and white T-shirts, participated in Sunday's walk around Hawrelak Park, which was packed with animals.
"Holy smokes, we think it's the best ever," said Shawna Randolph, spokeswoman for the Edmonton Humane Society. Roughly 9,000 people, she estimated, showed up to Pets in the Park, now in its 17th year.
"Usually, we see about 8,000 on a good day," said Randolph who attributed the event's success to decent weather and buzz around the society's new shelter. The society expected to raise about $115,000, which will help cover the cost of general shelter operations.
jfong@thejournal.canwest.comwww.twitter.com/jenfongTHIS WEEK IN DOGOPOLIS - Tuesday in Look: Bling to bark about - Wednesday in Bistro: Dog chow with wow - Thursday in At Home: Dealing with the doo-doo - Friday in Life: The costs and commitment of life with Fido - Saturday in LifeStyle: The best of readers' doggie photos; a moving account of a night at the emergency veterinary clinic; and more. A full section devoted to dogs
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Mighty Mutts raise $6,065 for Edmonton Humane Society at Pets in Park event
By Jennifer Fong, Edmonton JournalJune 29,
Scheri Manson stands with her chihuahuas Sadie, left, Paxton, Madison and Herbie, as they get ready to walk in the Fabulous Furballs 2.5 Kilometre Pledged Walk at the Edmonton Humane Society's Pets In The Park event on Sunday, June 29, 2009.Photograph by: Walter Tychnowicz, Edmonton JournalEDMONTON - The Mighty Mutts may be the smallest dogs, but they've got the biggest hearts.
The local off-leash meetup group for small and toy breed dogs were the top team Sunday at Pets in the Park's 2.5-kilometre Fabulous Furballs Pledged Walk at Hawrelak Park, raising$6,065 for the Edmonton Humane Society.
"We all have pets that are so lucky. In some way or another we spoil them, in that they have owners that are responsible," said Mighty Mutts founder Scheri Manson. Manson's three chihuahuas, who completed their lap comfortably in doggie strollers, have it good. But many other animals, she said, count on the Society for basic food, shelter, and care.
"It offers a great service, I think, to our city," added Kristy Fedoruk, Manson's daughter and owner of Sadie, a short-coat chihuahua and rat terrier cross. "This is one of their biggest fundraising events so it's great to get Mighty Mutts promoted, but also Edmonton Humane."
The Mighty Mutts, the biggest group to participate in this year's walk, was formed just over three months ago. Already, the group has grown to more than 80 members who meet weekly at Idylwylde Community League, where they secured access to an outdoor enclosed rink area through the summer.
Edmonton has more than 40 off-leash parks, but none are limited to small dogs. Two of Manson's chihuahuas are just seven months old and weigh a mere three pounds each. They could easily get hurt, she said, playing with bigger breeds.
Thanks to Mighty Mutts, members said, tiny tykes can exercise and socialize without fear of intimidation, while their owners can make new friends and share dog-related advice. Some members even travel from out of town just to attend meetups.
"It's the best thing that could have happened to us," said Judy Carter, owner of a miniature dappled dachshund named Pepper. "She got rolled too many times at the off-leash dog park in Beaumont by big dogs. They thought she was a play toy."
Since joining the Mighty Mutts in May, Pepper is much happier. Instead of being bullied, she's now the queen of her jungle.
"Literally, Pepper is the social butterfly of the group." Carter said.
About 30 members of the Mighty Mutts, decked out in matching red baseball caps and white T-shirts, participated in Sunday's walk around Hawrelak Park, which was packed with animals.
"Holy smokes, we think it's the best ever," said Shawna Randolph, spokeswoman for the Edmonton Humane Society. Roughly 9,000 people, she estimated, showed up to Pets in the Park, now in its 17th year.
"Usually, we see about 8,000 on a good day," said Randolph who attributed the event's success to decent weather and buzz around the society's new shelter. The society expected to raise about $115,000, which will help cover the cost of general shelter operations.
jfong@thejournal.canwest.comwww.twitter.com/jenfongTHIS WEEK IN DOGOPOLIS - Tuesday in Look: Bling to bark about - Wednesday in Bistro: Dog chow with wow - Thursday in At Home: Dealing with the doo-doo - Friday in Life: The costs and commitment of life with Fido - Saturday in LifeStyle: The best of readers' doggie photos; a moving account of a night at the emergency veterinary clinic; and more. A full section devoted to dogs
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
