The WALK

Written by Bismark
(David Cleveland’s dog)

I was up before the birds, my mind racing with worries, things to do, a hundred “what ifs,” concerns about the After-Walk get together. I had so many things on my mind, I probably solved Global Warming but it got lost with all the other thoughts. Would anyone actually show up? Did everyone raise money? Will the dogs get along with each other, with the strange humans we have never seen before? Will the humans get along or be defensive about their dogs, blaming someone else for every snarl, growl and bark?

The weather was absolutely perfect by the time we arrived at Washington Park, sunny and in the sixties. By the 1:00pm start time, 18 Handlers had arrived with their 11 Walkers, and the mood was nothing less than festive. Several of our Walkers were dressed to kill and were absolutely adorable. These 80 legs took just over a half hour to complete the one human mile, seven doggie mile walk (if one human year equals 7 doggie years, it seems only logical that 1 human mile would equal 7 doggie miles). Even with many temptations from other, unleashed dogs in the park, our Walkers were perfectly behaved, absolutely perfect.

Upon completion of our Walk, Handlers and Walkers alike piled into vehicles and all returned to my house for a Thank You Post Walk Party. Tyler’s Handler, Jeff, had prepared a wide range of cold and hot goodies and for just under two hours, we all visited, talking about the Fund Raiser, planning for next year, laughing at the Walkers running leash-free in the fenced in yard. As the afternoon progressed, some of our smaller Walkers, including me, seemed to get tired and started becoming a bit cranky, but behavior was amazing throughout.

Even the two-legged beings got along! Throughout the Post Party, Handlers presented my dad with envelopes filled with cash and checks. Josephine’s mom & dad even brought a large box filled with school supplies, getting a head start on our next project for the School in Tortuguero which is planned for August & September. Later that evening, we received phone calls from the West Coast & the East Coast Handlers with the dollar amounts raised and details as to their Walks.

At the onset of this project, my dad’s expressed goal to those he solicited to take part was to have 10-15 Walkers with a goal of $200 per dog, resulting in a total amount raised of $2,000 to $3,000. The final result (with still a few more checks expected) is 15 Walkers who raised $2,766. That we will exceed $2,800 is pretty much assured.

This was a success, no matter how it can be measured. The enthusiasm, the level of commitment, the fantastic spirits of all involved was nothing less than fantastic. It turned out to be both a Fund Raiser and a Fun Raiser, which promises to grow even more in ‘08, especially if we find an official Non Profit to adopt us.

Tail Wags & Licks to all!

Bismark (I’m the really handsome, long hair mini Dachshund in the pictures)

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE DOG WALK:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=o8cdq62.7uyksmza&Uy=-6o80nn&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1