PAWS Walk 98 is a big success

PAWSwalk 98 was a barking good time for the estimated 3,000 people who attended this year’s event at Seattle’s Woodland Park. The walk raised $145,000, with more pledges still coming in.

John Fisher from the Mountain 103.7 FM (along with his dog, Lily), and Penny LeGate from KIRO-TV (along with her dog, Pooh Ping), hosted the event this year. Fisher and LeGate provided running commentary throughout the day.

Dozens of businesses and organizations ran booths during PAWSwalk. PAWS had a booth offering information about the proposed Makah gray whale hunt as well as a retail booth offering PAWS merchandise and memorial tiles.

There were many informational demonstrations held throughout the day. The American Red Cross demonstrated pet first aid. Canine Companions for Independence demonstrated how they train their dogs to assist differently-abled folks. Perhaps the most popular demonstration was from pet psychic Joy Charles. Visitors formed long lines to talk with Charles, and have her "read" their dogs’ minds.

This year’s event was held at Seattle’s Woodland Park, with a Greenlake route. Many participants appreciated the new, safer route, which kept people and dogs almost completely on trails and off of busy roads.

PAWS brought all of the available shelter dogs down for the day, offering them for adoption. Three of the dogs, all older and thus harder to place into new homes, were adopted at the event.

Local music act Swamp Mama Johnson ended PAWSwalk with a concert highlighting their funky, bluesy groove.

Preliminary figures show that the top three dogwalking fundraisers were Toshiko Watson, who raised $5,040, Janice Matthews, who raised $4,000, and Arden Clise, who raised $3,005.

All participants who raised over $500 had the option and the honor of walking a PAWS shelter dog.