Fall 2008 • V ol. 43 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

Every Step Counts at the Walk for Animals
– by Shannon Gusy, 2008 Walker
The 14 th Annual Walk for Animals was coincidentally on my birthday,
May 3, 2008, and a day after my beloved companion passed away.
I arrived promptly at 7:30 in the morning with one water bottle in
hand, two unnecessary granola bars and a dozen pictures of my
dog, Sugar.
After 15 years of unconditional love and playful humor, Sugar, a Bichon
Frise, passed away peacefully. The greatest gift I could receive on my
birthday would be to walk in her memory, surrounded by countless other
animals that have fulfilled and enhanced human lives the way she did.
The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA knows no limits when it
comes to valuing the significance of the human-animal bond. As I filled out
my registration card for the event, I could already feel the positive energy
and celebratory spirit that had consumed Crown Point Shores, Mission Bay.
Before the starting line, there were about 50 entertaining, informative
and tasty stops to make – for both human and animal participants! As
animals tasted bones and hot dogs, I saved my granola bars for another
occasion. Unlike the Poodle chewing one of the many treats donated by
PETCO, I enjoyed a delicious pile of pancakes served by the 30 volunteers
who gathered to provide walkers with an energizing breakfast.
Dave Mason of 105.7 FM “The Walrus” and Clear Channel’s Pamela
Howe emceed the event, as radio station Star 94.1 FM accompanied the
many sponsors who made it such a success! Raffle contests with prizes
ranging from Disneyland tickets to professional dance classes were awarded
to 20 lucky winners. A diverse Vendor Village spread across the park,
offering everything from pet supplies to live training consultations to mobile
adoptions and further information about the San Diego Humane Society.
Humane Society President Dr. Mark Goldstein shared the stage
with Mayor Jerry Sanders as both commented and thanked attendees
for making San Diego the most pet-friendly city in the United States.
The smiles on their faces seemed larger than the distance we would
walk from start to finish.
Shortly thereafter, Reverend Canon Lee Teed of Saint Paul’s Episcopal
Cathedral led us in a blessing of the animals. As we began the course,
a friend of mine let me walk her dog who seemed almost identical to
Sugar, from the way her legs pranced to her stubborn sense of direction
to the lively jingle of her collar.
While we did stop for a few water breaks, it wasn’t long before we
crossed the finish line. Dr. Goldstein and volunteers were there to capture
the moment on film and cheerfully hand out water. Though I didn’t win
any of the raffles I entered, I couldn’t help but feel tremendously successful
by participating in such a fulfilling cause. In a few miles and this one
morning alone, more than $365,000 was raised to assist pets in need,
thanks to the generosity of sponsors and walkers.
As the Humane Society inspirationally walks on with their mission,
every step of the way is a path to enrichment, made possible by you, for
both humans and animals alike.
SG
H 1
H 2
Walk at a Glance
Number of Walkers: 4,000
Amount Raised: $365,000+
Top Dog Fundraiser:
Marianne Harmon ($8,750)
Top Fundraising Team:
GEICO ($10,600)
Top Junior Walker:
Berkeley Cavignac ($4,375)
Premier Sponsors:
Ralphs
PETCO and the PETCO Foundation
The Walking Co.
6 www.sdhumane.org
AnimalFare • Fall 2008