Almost 300 dogs and 400 people braved misty, drizzly weather to attend Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue's 7th Annual All Paws for a Golden Cause Dog Walk on Sunday, October 14, 2001 at Borderland State Park in Easton, Massachusetts. This is the first time mother nature failed to smile on this event, but the soggy weather didn't dampen the spirits of those attending. Over $19,000 was raised for the care of YGRR dogs awaiting adoption!

Dogs and their families began checking into Registration shortly before the 11 AM start of the walk and began to happily greet friends, turn in sponsor money, pick up T-shirts and receive a goodie bag  with biscuits, a YGRR flying disc and a bright cranberry-red bandanna for each dog.  Then it was off on the 3 mile walk along the Borderland trails. Mileage markers along the trail let those dogs and people not up to the full three miles turn around and head back to get an early start on the arcade events.

Meanwhile, on the field, dogs and their people posed in front of a red, white and blue banner for a patriotic photo to be mounted on a button, magnet or mirror. There were many happy canine participants at Bobbing for Hot Dogs all day long -some dogs were so anxious to get to the hot dogs that they climbed into the buckets; and a few dogs insisted on doing it two or three times to make sure they got it right! Fourteen dogs passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen testing. Eighty dogs proudly went home with a certificate from the Canine IQ Test. According the Madam Bowowska, the future looks bright with plenty of love and biscuits for all the dogs whose paws were read. And lots of paw print holiday ornaments will be cherished for years to come.

Toe nails were clipped and feet were trimmed by Jane Bruce of Newton Highlands Pet and Grooming.  Jane also offered grooming demonstrations throughout the day. Celeste Ryfa, Licensed Massage Therapist, offered demonstrations and massages for dogs and people. Dr. David Matalon of Norton Animal Hospital shared information on Senior Canine Wellness.  Trudy Jo Wallach explained to walk attendees how TTouch can benefit a dog's health and provide a practical solution for such issues as thunder phobia, car sickness and behavior problems.

Just before the start of Yankee Golden Retriever's Annual Meeting, a moment of silence was observed to remember those who perished on September 11th and to honor the brave men, women and dogs who did the search, rescue and recovery work in the days and weeks that followed.  The highlight of the day followed the Annual Meeting - the Parade of Rescue Dogs. People gathered around the large ring to watch as seventy-five rescued dogs of all breeds and mixes and their people were honored in this heartwarming ceremony. Dogs participating in the parade received a soft toy donated by dogtoys.com and a friend of YGRR along with a special rosette to commemorate this event.

During the break between the rescue parade and the afternoon contests, people enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and ice cream purchased from Bob Palagi who returned again with his ice cream truck and grills.  There was time to shop at Golden Goodies, purchase raffle tickets and choose a handmade pin.

Mark Rosenthal, local radio and television meteorologist and YGRR adopter, was the Official Dog Walk Contest Judge.  He had his work cut out for him with the wide and creative variety of outfits in the Halloween Costume Contest.  Angels, hula dancers, a court jester, and dogs in Carmen Miranda costumes strutted around the ring. The bride and groom were 1st prize winners, with “Bark” Rosenthal, complete with wig and weather forecasting board, coming in second. Tails wiggled and waved during the Wagging Contest. Clever dogs made their humans look good during the Cool Canine Tricks Contest. Lots of prizes were awarded, and all dogs who participated in contests took home large dog biscuits.

Raffles were drawn 3 times during the day with winners able to claim their prizes by 3:30 PM. A 50/50 tennis ball raffle was a new event for the dog walk. Chances were sold for numbered tennis balls. At 3 PM, the balls were tossed into the large ring; and the winner was selected, after much sniffing, by Maggie, YGRR #3161 (adopted by Don & Kathy W. in June 2001).

Thanks to Nate Adams, our DJ, who provided music throughout the day and to Bob Babineau, Borderland's ranger extraordinaire, for all his assistance. Thanks also to the members of the Dighton, Massachusetts Explorer Post #337 for handling parking and making it look easy!  Also thanks to Ron Gary of Durham Copy in Durham, New Hampshire for providing copies of the Dog Walk poster.   Special thanks go to Poland Spring for providing bottled water for the walk. This year's DogWalk Committee members were:  Joan Besse, Kim Besse, Doug Booth, Gina Hager-Moitoso, Caroline Hill, Patrick Joyce, Barbara LaJeunesse, Barbara LeDuc, Donna Lukas, Charles Lukas, Suzy Nattress, Meg Pappas, Sam Pappas, Evelyn Sanford, Luanne Spooner, Don Willfong, Kathy Willfong and Kristie Young.  They all deserve a huge thank you for their hard work, creative thinking and determination to put together a day of fun for dogs and their people.

Thank you to all the walk volunteers who gave their time to help YGRR dogs: Nancy Aldrich, Bill Booth, Wendy Booth, Melissa Chern, Anne-Marie Delhaye, Lori DeYoung, Jennifer Dickinson, Patricia Espie, Pam Furey, Diane Golden, Carmine Greco, Debbie Guimond, Susan Hagen, Jody Hamilton, David Harper, Deborah Hart, Mark Isenberg, Leonard Jodice, Sandy Jodice, Bill Jones, Diane Jones, Leah Kaine, Frank LaJeunesse, Judith Langmaid, Gresh Lattimore, Nancy Lattimore, Tricia Malerba, Jessica Manson, Leslie Martin, Chris McAuley, Cindy McAuley, Ann McDonough, Jill Moore, Sarah Paciorkowski, Kitty Rahbany, Chandler Rudd, Jutta Scott, Penny Shultz, Maddy St. Amand, Betty Walker, Tim Walker, Tricia Wall, Gail Walpurgis-Williams, Heather Winsor and Joel Wolff.

Thanks also to YGRR staff members who attended and helped at the walk: Sue Averill, Kennel Manager; Wendy Garraghty, Executive Director; Allyson MacKenna, Kennel Assistant and Emma Parsons, Adoption Coordinator.

Thanks go to members of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio club who provided communications for this year's walk: Scott, N1SEC; Glen N1MPT; Pat, N1PRU; John, K1JWP; John, N1FLO; Clayton, KB5TBB; Marty, KB1DRL; Pete N1EZT; Will, N1DPY;  Ray, K2TGX; Jenny KB1DSA and Fred,KA1CQD.  Also thanks to Dog Walk Committee member Charles Lukas, W1DOH;and YGRR members Betty (KC1PUP) and Tim (W1GIG) Walker from Connecticut, for assisting with communications. This is the third year amateur radio operators have offered their services at the walk.

Mark your calendars!  2002’s walk takes place on Sunday, October 20th at Borderland State Park.