by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Once again dogs gussied up as tie-dyed canine hippies enjoyed a 5k walk with their loving owners at the 27th annual Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at Wilson Park in east St. Cloud.
It was the major fundraiser of the year for the Tri-County Humane Society, whose goal this year was to raise $55,000 in pledges and other forms of donations. The final pledged amount was not available by press time.
Hundreds of people attended the event, which began at 9 a.m. with owners and their dogs casually strolling the grounds by the Wilson Park shelter as they prepared for the walk through the residential streets above the park.
There were all kinds of fun activities for both people and pets: a doggy kissing booth, inflatables for children, a dog-paw paint-imprint project, food and refreshments and many exhibitor booths featuring pet-related items or services.
The staff of the humane society and its many volunteers milled among the crowd, meeting and greeting people and their pets. A joyful ambiance ruled at the event, made even more pleasant by beautiful sunny early-morning weather.
After the walk, participants returned to Wilson Park where they enjoyed more activities, conversation, food and fun time with their precious pets.
Peanut, a 14-year-old Pomeranian, was an instant hit at the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at Wilson Park. Everybody who saw Peanut had to give her lots of pets and attention. Peanut is the pet of Ashley Toering, a staff member of the Tri-County Humane Society. Since Toering had to work at the Woofstock event, friends of hers agreed to doggy-sit Peanut.
A girl gives a sweet pat to a horse as its rider waits to lead the 5k Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park.
As their dogs wait with antsy impatience, their owners sign up for free prizes at an exhibitor table at the Woofstock Companion Walk event Sept. 12 in Wilson Park.
Chris McIlvain of Sauk Rapids enjoys his unusual pet, Ingrid the brown rat. Rats, said McIlvain, a volunteer at the humane society, are actually very good, affectionate pets. He adopted Ingrid from the humane-society shelter a year ago.
Two happy, friendly, distinguished ladies wait on customers at the “Canine Canteen” during the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park. At left is Bev Carlson; at right is Dolores Davis, who is the mother of Vicki Davis, long-time director of the Tri-County Humane Society.
Macy Zimmerman of Sartell holds her beloved poodle Franny. Inseparable friends, the two enjoyed taking part in the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park.
Marley, a 9–year-old poodle, eagerly awaits the chance to plant a sloppy west kiss on a human being at the Kissing Booth. Her owner, Erin Bloch (in photo) adopted Marley from the Tri-County Humane Society in 2007, and it’s been true love ever since.
Three friends are gussied up with tie-dyed hippy get-ups at the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park. From left to right are Alarie Chu and Madison Leaders, both of St. Cloud. Scottie is a 6-year-old West Highland terrier.
Peanut the St. Bernard is anything but peanut-sized. The affectionate pooch is nearly 4 feet tall and was a popular stand-out at the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park. Peanut and her owners, Yvonne and Richard Rahn of Melrose, had a blast at the event. The woman in the background is Yvonne.
Pets strain at their leashes as the 27th annual Woofstock Companion Walk gets underway the morning of Sept. 12 at Wilson Park in east St. Cloud. The annual even is the year’s most important fundraiser for the Tri-County Humane Society.
Lucy Nelson of St. Cloud spins the wheel of fortune and wins a little stuffed dog and stuffed kitten at the Woofstock Companion Walk Sept. 12 in St. Cloud’s Wilson Park.
Just minutes before the 5k walk begins, Jessica Rogholt of Rice tried to get the family dog Max to “smile” for the camera. Max, an 18-month-old Labrador mix, was adopted from the Tri-County Humane Society. From left to right are Sage Julka, Jessica’s niece who was visiting from Alameda, Calif., and Jessica’s son Owen and daughter Claire.
Jill Ressemann of St. Cloud tries to make her dogs mind for a photo shoot. The pets are Augie (right) and Nero.
