PUHI — Bridgette was the boss Saturday morning. Normally, she accompanies Judy Emmett to the Kauai Community Market where Emmett is a vendor. But Saturday, Emmett accompanied Bridgette who joined more than 40 other canines and their owners at the
PUHI — Bridgette was the boss Saturday morning.
Normally, she accompanies Judy Emmett to the Kauai Community Market where Emmett is a vendor. But Saturday, Emmett accompanied Bridgette who joined more than 40 other canines and their owners at the Bark for Life canine fundraising event benefiting the American Cancer Society.
“She is a survivor,” Emmett said. “In 2004, she had a tumor and some of her breasts were removed. Now, the walk is over so she has to go to work with me at the farmers market.”
A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Kauai celebrated its third annual event at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center.
“We have dogs with survivors, and survivors who are wearing their purple shirts from the Relay for Life,” said Katie Burleson, the American Cancer Society Community Manager. “This Bark for Life is a good way to integrate the relationships between owners and their pets.”
Carol Ann Davis, who along with Jo Evans was the event photographer, said her dog was not so lucky as were several members of her family.
Burleson said the Bark for Life, with Diann Hartman and Melanie Cierras as the event co-chairs, raised more than $3,200 from walkers.
Additionally, a number of businesses and organizations donated game prizes.
“We were going to walk,” said Newton Young of the Dog Fanciers of Kauai. “But we set up the agility course for the dogs, so I guess the ACS gets whatever we raised.”
In addition to the agility course, other canine contests included Best Trick, a Pet/Owner Look-Alike contest, the Fastest Recall, and the Fastest to eat a bowl of food contest.
Tami Kakutani and her Mochi were presented the award for top fundraiser, and Alvin Uchida and Kuma, the field leader, was the recipient of the Slip Slap Slop award, the American Cancer Society’s latest campaign encouraging safe sun practice as a protection against skin cancer.
Uchida said Kauai’s Bark for Life was started following the Big Island’s event three years ago. Currently, Burleson said Kauai and Big Island have Bark for Life events with Oahu looking to start an event this year.
Hartman said the event would not be possible without the contributions from Mark’s Place, Starbucks Coffee, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Whiskers Resort, and Barkaroo Bakery.
Sponsors included the Parrish Collection, Natural Pet Hawaii, Brennecke’s Restaurant in Poipu, and Paradise Animal Clinic in Kalaheo where Vet Tech Tracy Majerik was on hand to tend to needs.
Burleson said with the completion of the Bark for Life, people are still able to sign up for the North Shore Relay for Life set for Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. at the Kauai Christian Academy in Kilauea.
