August 25, 2014 at 3:09 p.m.
Bark for Life draws large crowd of canines
Bark for Life draws large crowd of canines
By Kayla Thomason-
Many walked in honor of those they have lost to cancer - both four- and two-legged - as well as caregivers.
"People are really just relaxing and enjoying their dogs and I think kind of remembering who we lost and who is fighting cancer so I think that's kind of cool to see it," said event chair Carol Lofquist.
Michele Gerdes and her labrador pitbull mix, Olive, attended Bark for Life for the first time.
"Oh we're having a grand old time, she's making lots of friends, I'm meeting new people, it's good," Gerdes said.
She was walking in honor of her mother who, in December, got the fantastic news that she is now cancer-free. Gerdes was also remembering her dog who passed away from the disease a short time ago.
Keith Antosh attended last year's event as well as this one.
"I like it a lot," he said. "I think it's pretty good, it's nice and cool [outside], it lets the dogs stay cool during the walk and so they're not all hogging the pool."
He walked with his mini- Australian Shepherd in honor of his fiancé's grandma who has cancer, his fiancé's family friend who died of cancer, as well as one of his dogs.
Bette Bugiel and her Australian Shepherd, Angel - a recently certified therapy dog - participated in their first Bark for Life.
"It's a good thing for people in the Northwoods to have something like this for our dogs, there's never enough to do with our dogs so this is wonderful," Bugiel said, adding that she will be back next year.
In keeping with the tradition of luminaria at other Relay for Life events, they used solar lights instead of candles that people could purchase for $5 to remember a loved one - four-legged or two - or caregivers.
Lofquist said this year's crowd was bigger than last year's.
"We're looking to have more dogs every year as people begin to understand it and next year we will coordinate the date with the Pawzitive [Outdoor] Games which is a sponsor of this event as well," said Diane Geis Hapka, American Cancer Society staff partner and Bark for Life committee member.
Lofquist always thought dogs should be involved in Relay for Life so she worked with Geis Hapka to organize a Bark for Life in the Northwoods.
"Animals do so much good for us and healing and everything else that they open their hearts for us, why can't we open our hearts to them?" Lofquist said.
Lofquist became involved with Relay for Life with her Dalmatian, Wish. Wish has since passed away from cancer and every year when Lofquist attends Relay for Life or Bark for Life she thinks of him.
AP Photography, Oneida County 4-H, Coyote 93.7 FM, Dandy Dog Pet Grooming, A-1 Septic Service, Northern Paws Animal Hospital and Ministry Health Care were the sponsors for this year's event.
"Ministry recognizes the important part dogs play in our mental and our physical well-being so they were super supportive," Geis Hapka said. "So many of the medications that are used on our own animals are actually discovered in human research so we recognize that so we're really supportive of all that. What we do is really important and people having the ability to fight back against cancer, because so many of us feel as if there is nothing we can do about such a terrible disease, this gives ordinary people extraordinary power when they join together to fight back against something."
Geis Hapka announced Monday the event raised over $6,300.
"If we don't [raise the most out of Wisconsin] we still surpassed last year by $1,200," she said.
Not only was last year's total surpassed, Geis Hapka had a few people approach her asking to be on the committee.
"When you know your event did so well that people come and ask you if they can be part of the planning process, that's a real wonderful feeling," Geis Hapka said.
All proceeds from the event went to the American Cancer Society. To donate, visit www.relayforlife.org/barknorthwoodswi.
"It's an awesome event and it's a lot of fun," Gerdes said.
Geis Hapka and Lofquist are considering other cancer fundraisers including a Trot for Life, where people could involve their horses, and Take a Shot at Cancer, which would involve trapshooting.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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