For dogs, Suffolk event was just a walk in the park

SUFFOLK

Good thing there were lots of plastic bags on hand.

Hundreds of hounds, spaniels, collies, shelties and dogs of all shapes and sizes filled Sleepy Hole Park in Suffolk for the first Mutt Strut Dog Walk and Festival on Sunday afternoon.

Dog owners paid $15 to parade their furry friends around the park, while others watched demonstrations by the Suffolk Police Department's canine unit, judged tail-wagging and costume contests, and surveyed the homeless dogs and cats up for adoption. Proceeds went to the Suffolk Humane Society.

The Humane Society first opened a branch in Suffolk about a year and a half ago, with just 10 members, said Kay Hurley, director of community outreach for the group. Today, the society is up to about 250 members, but it is still raising money to build a shelter, Hurley said. Currently, homeless animals are sent to foster homes, or to the city's animal control department.

Sunday brought out pups like Birdy and Marty, two 7-week-old pocket beagles weighing in at 4.6 and 2.5 pounds each. This was the pair's first time meeting new dogs, and while Marty found the whole thing a little overwhelming and stuck to his owner's arms, Birdy was a social butterfly - or as much of a butterfly as you can be when you barely come past your friends' ankles.

"He's not so excited. She's very excited. She's ready to go," said Birdy's owner, Kerri Epperson, as her dog danced around the feet of a golden retriever.

Cisco, a 3-year-old beige and white hound still looking for an owner, was so thrilled to be out Sunday he nearly tugged volunteer Rhonda Jones off her feet. Meanwhile, a family's three Great Danes - Sable, Sampson and Shelby, all weighing in at more than 100 pounds - strolled sedately nearby.

"We're looking for a fourth one," their owner said.

Organizers are estimating the fundraiser brought in about $70,000, Hurley said.

Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com