OVER 120 owners and 90 dogs battled the wet weather recently to take part in the Bark in the Park sponsored dog walk at St Anne’s Park.
The Irish Blue Cross hosted the first of their annual sponsored dog walks in the Northside park on a very wet Sunday at the end of May. While the dogs and their owners were soaked, spirits were high and there was still plenty of fun to be had.
The walk was one of five fundraising events planned for this summer to raise money to support the charity’s work.
Participants walked along a special paw printed route around St Anne’s Park and goody bags, sponsored by Maxi Zoo, were handed out to all involved.
Prizes were awarded to dogs with the ‘Happiest Smile’, ‘Waggiest Tail’, ‘Shiniest Coat’, ‘Best Bark’ and ‘Best Overall Dog’.
The Best Bark winner was Oliver, much to the delight of his owner Victoria Mulhall.
Alison Kelly, marketing and events manager with the Irish Blue Cross, said: “The weather was against us a bit, but we were still delighted to see so many people coming along to brave the rain and cold. We could have introduced ‘Wettest Dog’ as a new category in our competition but they would have all been winners.”
Four more Bark in the Park events will be held over the summer at Marlay Park, Ardgillan Castle, the Phoenix Park and Tymon Park. The charity hopes to raise more than €25,000 through the initiative.
If you’re interested in taking part, details can be found on www.barkinthepark.ie