Packs of people and their pet pooches converged in New York City’s Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 on Saturday, Sept. 27 for “Strut Your Mutt,” a fundraiser put together by Best Friends Animal Society that was celebrating its fifth anniversary. Looming over these festivities was the aircraft carrier Intrepid, an easy landmark for dog lovers to find.
The sun burned down through our bone-thin ozone layer and bounced off the Hudson River for a serious scorcher, but the participants and volunteers at Strut Your Mutt took the hot temps in stride with big smiles and wagging tails. There was plenty of water on hand for the dogs and their owners to cool off.
This was an open event for anyone who wanted to help raise money for homeless pets in New York. The event offered a leisurely fundraising dog walk or for those more agile, a fun run, followed by a doggie-themed festival that included pet contests, photos, doggie goodies, food and fun. There was a huge turnout, and people in the crowd were eager to tell their dog stories.
Anna Saar said her 14-year-old Pekinese, Betty Rubble, was rescued out of a Camden, N.J., shelter. “We have four rescue dogs. They’re all Pekinese and all have eye disabilities,” she said. When I asked what drives her to help these dogs she said, “I just love them. They’re so giving and loving and bring joy into our lives.”
Jean-Luc is a rescue from the New Rochelle Humane Society and his mom Jen Bush proudly told me, “He just became a PupScout, so we’re marching with Scout Troop 4!” Then she leaned in and confessed, “Jean-Luc’s first official act as a PupScout was lifting his leg on a PupScout duffle bag that belonged to a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette named Leslie Riddle.” Whoops.
Christine Ford pointed to her canine. “I adopted Gracie. I started fostering her and her sister in January this year through Second Chance Rescue. Her sister got adopted, but Gracie stayed with me. I’m going to keep her. My Labrador had gotten very attached to her. Now they are partners in crime, and I’m here today to try to raise money to help another puppy find a home with somebody sweet.”
People had all kinds of stories. I found out a Beagle named Harriett was rescued four years ago as one of 120 Beagles freed from a laboratory in New Jersey by Best Friends Animal Society. It reminded me of the amazing book, “For Bea,” about a Beagle rescued from a lab.