It?s time to get your walking paws on local animal lovers and help raise money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at the annual ?Paws to the Park? charity walk to be held this Sunday.

The walk begins at the Botanical Gardens in Paget and heads out towards the Railway Trail with water stops along the way. Walkers can participate with or without a dog and they can choose their own distance, one, three or five miles.

?Paws to the Park? includes a scavenger hunt, food and other fun activities for dogs and their human companions. There is also a mini agility course set up for dogs and their people to try, and a canteen with burgers, sandwiches and home-made soup.

?We saw how much everyone enjoyed being outdoors at our Animal Expo and we wanted to give people the opportunity to come on out and have another great day with us?, said Heather Kromer, SPCA President.

Walkers get a t-shirt upon registration, and their dogs get a colourful bandana.

Mrs. Kromer the bandana?s purpose is to make the dogs look ?sporty?.

Although it is not a requirement, walkers are encouraged to get sponsors before the walk. To get a sponsor form, contact the SPCA or go to their website at www.spca.bm.

Registration for the walk begins at 9.30 a.m. at the Botanical Gardens.

For further details contact: Theresa Ince, Shelter Manager of the SPCA at 236-7333.

by Heather Kromer

As a first time participant in Paws to the Park last November, I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the event was. The dogs, in all shapes and sizes, had a blast, showing off their multicoloured bandanas as they strutted out of the Botanical Gardens, heading westerly.

The day was beautiful and I had the pleasure of walking with my niece Victoria, her dog Tessa, her friend Stefan with shelter resident Lily and Peggy with her dog Tablet.

As we exited the Gardens, I had the duty of ?scooping up? after Lily - quite shocking really, as I am more of a cat person and not accustomed to this sort of activity! I can do this, I thought, and I did, with the encouragement of my group. Chalk it up to experience.

On approaching the Trimingham Hill roundabout, Lily decided that it was too nice a day not to stop and have a little roll on the grass and a back scratch. Of course we all had to wait until she had had enough and I am sure that it was a comical sight for all the passers by on the road.

We continued on and struggled at times to keep up with little Tablet who seemed like she was on a mission, ears back and pulling like a very tiny freight train. Too funny!

She wasn?t too sure of German Shepherd Tessa at first, but became more comfortable as the walk went on. We laughed as we noticed Tablet sniffing something on the ground and Tessa taking the opportunity to sniff Tablet (unbeknownst to Tablet!). By the end of the walk, they were ?best buds?.

I can?t figure out who had more fun, the dogs or their people! I personally can?t wait until November 28th for this year?s Paws walk.