Animals got exercise, Va. Beach SPCA got $65,000

VIRGINIA BEACH

Molly might be a basset hound, but on Sunday, she made a pretty good football.

The costume complemented the Cowboys jersey donned by her owner, Melinda Gray of Virginia Beach, as well as the Redskins jersey worn by Gray's son.

Those were among the milder outfits spotted at the annual fundraiser for the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"They do a lot of good work," said Gray, who adopted her two cats from the chapter. "How often do you get to dress up your pets without having people look at you funny?"

Fur flew at Neptune's Park during the 32nd annual Walk for the Animals, which this year brought in more than $65,000 from about 600 two-legged participants.

The money will help the Virginia Beach SPCA care for the 6,000 animals that pass through its doors every year and run programs like one for wildlife rehabilitation, said event coordinator Allison Enedy.

"We're just so grateful," she said. "People love their animals."

The event began with trick and costume contests, then continued with a walk down the Oceanfront boardwalk. Attendees included Jack, a dachshund dressed as a hot dog, and Chloe, a whippet sporting fairy wings and hot pink nail polish.

Sophie the Yorkie and Lizzi the Shih Tzu were both dressed as Old Dominion University cheerleaders, and Penny, a beagle, went as a pumpkin.

A few other animals made an appearance, including Honk, an albino ferret.

"I don't have a dog, so it was him or the gecko," owner Holli Bedrosian of Virginia Beach said.

Paris, a 6-year-old Chihuahua dressed as Lady Gaga, won the costume contest. Her owner, Kim Wisneski of Portsmouth, dressed Paris in pearls, "Ozzy Osbourne" sunglasses and a platinum blonde wig. With great restraint, Paris refrained from eating the sequined black dress that Wisneski had commissioned from a dressmaker.

Paris is used to wearing clothes, Wisneski said. Last year, she went as Sarah Palin.

The stroll along the boardwalk was a long parade of leashes and floppy tongues. Finally, organizers announced who had raised the most money.

Christie Lorkiewicz of Virginia Beach took the top slot, hands down. She and her husband raised $4,025, in part by matching their friends' donations.

"I'm just really passionate about animals," Lorkiewicz said, blinking back tears. She reached down to give Biscuit, a big dog who has been in and out of the SPCA four times and is now up for adoption again, a scratch behind the ears.

"They take such good care of them before they find homes," Lorkiewicz said.

Elisabeth Hulette, (757) 222-5216, elisabeth.hulette@pilotonline.com