Monday, August 03, 2009
Bark for Life honors humans, canines
Nona Nelson, The Happy Wag
Read Nona's blog, The Happy Wag:
Recent columns
More than 20 years ago, I lost my father to liver cancer. Then, about nine years ago, a dear friend was defeated in his battle with leukemia.
Two years ago we had to euthanize our dog Missy because of an inoperable nerve sheath tumor.
I will keep all three of them in my heart when I participate in the Bark for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, on Aug. 29.
The event starts at 5 p.m. at Six Wags Dog Park in Salem.
Suzy Lawrence, accounting director for Carilion Clinic and the volunteer event chairwoman, said the fundraiser is a partner event to the annual Roanoke Valley Relay for Life, which was held in May.
Lawrence said Bark for Life intends to honor cancer survivors and caregivers, both human and canine. Dogs often provide comfort to cancer patients, she said, either as therapy dogs that visit cancer centers or as family pets.
"Dogs don't care what you look like or if you are sick or you're well," Lawrence said. "They love you either way."
Two- and four-legged cancer survivors will lead the first lap of a one-mile walk around the 6-acre park.
Each human/dog team pays a $25 registration fee that includes a doggie bandanna, a goodie bag and a paw reading (instead of a palm reading) for the pooch. Each additional dog is $15.
The team that collects the most pledge money will win the "Top Dog" award.
All proceeds, Lawrence said, will go to the American Cancer Society to fund research.
"Anything you learn with [dogs] could translate to humans and vice versa," Lawrence said. "Research is how we will find the cure."
The event will feature games and contests, including best costume and a doggy/owner look-alike contest.
Participants can also purchase a paper bone for a Wall of Hope to memorialize people and pooches lost to cancer.
Walkers are asked to bring proof that their dog is up-to-date with rabies vaccination, and humans must remain tethered to their dog at all times. Dog walkers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more details or to register, see the event's Web site: www.roanokebarkforlife.org.
A child's special birthday request
Animal shelters provide a second chance for homeless pets to find a family and are dependent on volunteers and the generosity of the community. This summer, one child gave just about as much as an 8-year-old could.
Abbey Ingram, lifelong animal lover and daughter of Chanda and Nikki Ingram, surprised her parents this year when she wanted to forgo birthday presents, including adding to her collection of American Girl dolls, to help homeless pets.
"When I asked her what she wanted, I expected her to say the sun, the moon and a hot air balloon," Chanda Ingram said, laughing. "But instead she wanted to help a no-kill animal shelter."
"I already had a lot of presents," Abbey said. "I wasn't sure the animals at the no-kill shelter had presents."
"She made it very clear, even to her best friend, that she didn't want any gifts," Chanda Ingram said.
Friends and family who attended Abbey's birthday party at her Vinton home on July 18 brought dog and cat toys, collars and bowls, 14 bags of pet food and money that Abbey gave to Angels of Assisi this past Friday.
Abbey said her party was plenty of fun even if the presents were not for her and she was excited about how much she was able to collect for the shelter.
"I got $260 in cash donations," she said.
At home, Abbey is dedicated to her own pets, helping to care for her family's two dogs, Kiko and Montana, and her bunnies, Thumper and Ginger. She said she would love to have a cat but her mom is allergic.
She told me she would like to be a small animal vet when she grows up.
"She's wanted to be a veterinarian since before she could pronounce it," Chanda Ingram said. "She always said she wants to be an animal doctor."
Nona Nelson's column runs every other Monday in Extra. In the meantime, check out her Happy Wag blog at blogs.roanoke.com.
