August 24, 2015 at 2:23 p.m.
Pawzitive Outdoor Games, Bark for Life to benefit non-profit organizations
Pawzitive Outdoor Games, Bark for Life to benefit non-profit organizations
By Kayla Thomason-
Both events will be held rain or shine.
Bark for Life
Dogs and their humans can take a leisurely stroll during the Bark for Life, which will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.
"The first year we were the top event in the state of Wisconsin, as far as our fundraising dollars were concerned, and then last year we were the top in the American Cancer Society's Midwest division, so that was very exciting for us too and then this year we are going into our third year so we're hoping for even bigger and better fundraising opportunities this year," said Diane Geis-Hapka, community manager for the American Cancer Society.
Last year over 40 dogs and their humans participated in the event.
"We had our little tent and our booth at the Pawzitive Games (last year) and it was very well received," she said. "There was a lot of interest from people as to what Bark for Life was all about and everything and we thought 'Well, it would be kind of a good thing to have them on the same day because people are out and about with their dogs and it can draw more attention to the mission that we are trying to present to everybody.'"
Dogs who take the Bark for Life walk will get a purple bandana while the owners will receive a Bark for Life T-shirt that says "Hope" with each letter in a paw print.
There will also be flower solar lights for sale. They will be placed by the agility park as a hope and wish garden "in memory and in honor of our loved ones both four-legged and two-legged that have either been our caregivers or dealing with cancer in their own journeys," Geis-Hapka said.
There will also be bone-shaped tags tied on them for people to write a message or someone's name.
When you leave you may take your light with you.
People can participate in a raffle that includes pet-related prizes, a Green Bay Packers signed football, and other items. There will be a $1 donation per ticket.
The 4-H Club will have food and drinks for sale during Bark for Life and the Pawzitive Outdoor Games. They will have hot beef sandwiches, homemade baked goods for dogs and people made by the children, fruit, water, juice, soda, popcorn and more. All food proceeds will go to the club.
Bark for Life will have a booth at Pawzitive Outdoor Games as well.
"Bark for Life actually engages a different group of people than you would perhaps see at a Relay for Life event because they can bring their dogs and it creates a really friendly, fun atmosphere," Geis-Hapka said.
Registration for Bark for Life costs $15 and includes the bandana and T-shirt. Additional dogs are $10. The registration fee and additional dog cost will go up by $5 day of the event.
People are welcome to start a team or fundraiser for the event.
To register, visit www.relayforlife.org/barknorthwoodswi.
Northern Paws Animal Hospital, Ministry Health Care, TLC Dog Training and Shylo Star Kennels are the top sponsors for the event.
Pawzitive Outdoor Games
Dogs can test their speed, athleticism and leaping abilities while helping many animal-related organizations during the Pawzitive Outdoor Games from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This not-for-profit event will benefit Bark for Life, It Matters to One Animal Rescue and humane societies in Langlade, Forest and Vilas counties while celebrating Pawz n' Clawz's second year in business.
The business will be providing each humane society with a year's worth of dog food from Zignature, Canidae or Merrick to raffle off. With a $5 donation people will also receive a goody bag and a raffle ticket.
Pawz n' Clawz is also giving It Matters to One a year's worth of Earthborn dog food to raffle off.
"It's a real good family event to bring the kids to," said Dan Gallagher, owner of Pawz n' Clawz and co-sponsor of the Pawzitive Outdoor Games.
Think your dog is quick? Let him or her compete in the Fastest Dog in the Northwoods contest. The winner will receive a year's supply of By Nature dog food.
To make things fair for the competing dogs there will be two divisions. Dogs under 18 inches tall at the withers (shoulder) will be in the smaller dog category. Dogs 18 inches and taller will compete in the larger dog category.
Dogs will race by themselves against the speed sign, which the Rhinelander Police Department will provide.
For $10 the furry racers will get two tries and the fastest time will be scored.
The proceeds from this event will be split among the three humane societies.
To preregister for the Fastest Dog in the Northwoods contest, visit Pawz n' Clawz.
If your canine companion can't get enough of the water let him or her soar off a dock in the Dock Diving competition. The winner will receive a year's supply of Blue Buffalo dog food.
The pool is 32-feet long by 16-feet wide by 4-feet deep and holds 14,000 gallons of water.
To register for the dock diving competition, visit www.pierpups.com. Online registration is $13 and is available until Aug. 25. People can sign up the day of the event for $15 but slots are limited and it is encouraged to register ahead of time.
Sessions will be at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. with the final jump at 2:30 p.m.
Pier Pups will keep the registration money.
Dogs can jump through hoops, run the A-frame, dart through tunnels and more during the agility competition. The winner will receive a year's supply of Precise pet food.
There will be 10 to 15 obstacles for dogs to tackle.
They can participate in the beginners, intermediate or advanced courses. The beginners will get two tries, the other two classes will get one, but everyone will get some time to walk the course and get comfortable with it before their attempt.
Approximately 40 dogs participated in the agility portion of the Pawzitive Outdoor Games last year.
"I would like to see everyone that did come to come back this year - hopefully (it won't be) raining - and maybe have their time be a little bit better for them and win some prizes," said Carol Lofquist, owner of TLC Dog Training and co-sponsor of the Pawzitive Outdoor Games.
She is hoping to see double the turnout.
"(Last year the participants) thought it was fun to do something with their dog," she said.
Lofquist had a young girl who participated in the agility portion of the event last year come up to her recently to report she'll participate again this year.
"(The young girl) said that 'It's just fun to watch my dog do something with me,'" Lofquist said.
People can preregister for agility at Pawz n' Clawz in person or on the phone. Registration will cost $10. The person's name can be taken down and they will pay when they get to the event. The times that the agility courses will be run will be announced at the event.
Proceeds for agility will go to Bark for Life.
If one dog wins all three events they will receive a lifetime supply of dog food.
"This is a time for a family to go play with their dog and be part of the family and to also raise money for the various different non-profit organizations that need help in our area," Lofquist said.
To keep the events safe and fun all dogs must be leashed and people must pick up after their dogs. No balloons or frisbees will be allowed.
There will be a kiddie pool filled with water for the dogs to splash in.
"We just want everybody to have a great time," Gallagher said. "It's a community event, we're just trying to get everybody out and have a day of fun for people and their pets."
Sponsors for the Pawzitive Outdoor Games include Ripco Credit Union, Rhinelander Honda, Invisible Fence, Lakeside Dock and Lift, and the Northwoods Animal Hospital.
Other sponsors include the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, the Northwoods River News, Newswatch 12, Coyote 93.7, AP Photography, Pawz n' Clawz and TLC Dog Training.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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