SEPTEMBER 12, 2004
> See and order pictures from the event now !!
No Bones About It - Our First Dog Paddle Day was a "Splashing" Success
The guests started arriving early and, boy, were they excited! Perhaps it was the sparkling pool that lay just beyond the closed gates or the presence of so many fellow four-legged friends, but these first arrivals sensed that something fun was about to happen!
And it did!
Last Sunday (September 12), Bedford D.O.G. and the Town of Bedford hosted the First Annual Bedford Dog Paddle Day. Over 200 very lucky dogs of all shapes and sizes participated in a 4-hour afternoon swim at the Village of Bedford Memorial Pool. About six hundred humans were also in attendance with a fair share of non-dog owners who dropped by to see the "action."
Liza Margulies, from Liza Wallis Photography, volunteered her time to be our event photographer and took some wonderful photos including the ones displayed here. (Please check out her website at www.pbase.com/snootydog/bedford for more photos). Her images capture the fun and happenings: there were little Dachshunds and Toy Poodles wading in the kiddie pool, sleek Greyhounds, German Shepherds, dogs in life-vests and, of course, lots of Labs and Goldens. Owners lined the side of the pool laughing at the dogs who produced enormous belly-flops, shouting words of encouragement and throwing toys over and over again into the big pool.
Everyone had a great time and, despite the concentration of dogs, there were no reported injuries save a stubbed toe on which Dr. Randie Shane, a local vet who volunteered her time at the event, applied a band-aid and one dog who was so excited that it threw-up. The event helped to raise nearly $4,000 for the new Bedford Canine Tribute Park, but more importantly, it helped to raise awareness of the need for dogs to interact together, the safety of mixing dogs who do not know each other together and the fun humans can have watching their dog enjoying themselves. The Town of Bedford was very pleased with the day's event and looks forward to making this Dog Paddle Day a Town tradition!
Of course, the event went without a hitch due to the help and support of a number of organizations and individuals. We wish to thank the following partners, supporters and volunteers for their help in making our first annual Dog Paddle Day such a success:
... and to the countless people who helped one another with caring for the dogs on hand!
And it did!
Last Sunday (September 12), Bedford D.O.G. and the Town of Bedford hosted the First Annual Bedford Dog Paddle Day. Over 200 very lucky dogs of all shapes and sizes participated in a 4-hour afternoon swim at the Village of Bedford Memorial Pool. About six hundred humans were also in attendance with a fair share of non-dog owners who dropped by to see the "action."
Liza Margulies, from Liza Wallis Photography, volunteered her time to be our event photographer and took some wonderful photos including the ones displayed here. (Please check out her website at www.pbase.com/snootydog/bedford for more photos). Her images capture the fun and happenings: there were little Dachshunds and Toy Poodles wading in the kiddie pool, sleek Greyhounds, German Shepherds, dogs in life-vests and, of course, lots of Labs and Goldens. Owners lined the side of the pool laughing at the dogs who produced enormous belly-flops, shouting words of encouragement and throwing toys over and over again into the big pool.
Everyone had a great time and, despite the concentration of dogs, there were no reported injuries save a stubbed toe on which Dr. Randie Shane, a local vet who volunteered her time at the event, applied a band-aid and one dog who was so excited that it threw-up. The event helped to raise nearly $4,000 for the new Bedford Canine Tribute Park, but more importantly, it helped to raise awareness of the need for dogs to interact together, the safety of mixing dogs who do not know each other together and the fun humans can have watching their dog enjoying themselves. The Town of Bedford was very pleased with the day's event and looks forward to making this Dog Paddle Day a Town tradition!
Of course, the event went without a hitch due to the help and support of a number of organizations and individuals. We wish to thank the following partners, supporters and volunteers for their help in making our first annual Dog Paddle Day such a success:
| Partners: |
The Town of Bedford SavATree IQ Landscape Architects, LLP Garon Fence U.S. Forest Service Living Memorial Project Bear Search and Rescue Foundation New York Search and Rescue |
| Contributors: |
Ann-Marie Nieves Communication, Inc. Linda Fiorello - Pets Playshop Graphics, Mount Kisco Jon Kayser, In-Site Marketing Pet Nutrition - Bedford Hills Erica Totten - PetSmart, Mohegan Lakes Christopher Vitti, Web Design and Development |
| Volunteers: |
Richard and Ricky Barry Matt, Jessica, Alex and Charlotte Bennett Angela Brett Loren and Hunter Camps Patrick and Stacy Caserta Jane Cooper Carol, Emily and Chris Curro Nicki Esdorn Claire Greenbaum Patty Hornidge Kay Kolman Ryan Lynch Liza Margulies - Liza Wallis Photography Stephanie Medina Alex and Meredith Outwater Bea Rhodes Dr. Randie Shane - Fine Animal Hospital, Bedford Hills Janis Vellone Carol, Dana and Eva Weibman |
... and to the countless people who helped one another with caring for the dogs on hand!
