WAGGING tails and slobbery faces filled the Mount Gambier Rail Lands on Sunday as the biggest, smallest and fluffiest of the city’s pooches came together for the annual South East Animal Welfare League Paws Walk.
Converging on the city’s spacious park in the heart of the city for the first time this year, the event was a big hit for local dog lovers and their fury friends as they mingled with others and raised funds for the not-for-profit organisation.
With a total of 80 people registering for the event and many others popping in for a brief visit, fundraising committee member Kate Rolston said it was a success.
“It ran really well and there were lots of families, which is what we were aiming for,” she said.
“When you are working with animals anything can happen, but we all had a really good day and for the most part things went smoothly.”
Beginning at noon, The Rail quickly filled with dogs of all breeds as their owners eagerly browsed through the stalls and food vans available.
Offering more competitions and entertainment this year, Ms Rolston said it was a great day for adults and children alike.
“The agility demonstration by the Blue Lake Obedience Dog Club was huge and so many people gathered to watch it,” she said.
“Dog trainer John Laube was also popular with heaps of people asking him questions and seeking advice.”
As well as meeting new four-legged friends on the day, South East Animal Welfare League operations coordinator Katrina Twilley said it was a special moment when they saw dog Smithy, who was under their care last year, with his new owners.
“This makes our job worthwhile,” she said.
“Smithy was so skinny when he was with us and would stir other dogs up a bit, so it was amazing to see him happy, healthy and easily walking around with other dogs.”
Welcoming the lovable pet into their family in October last year, owner Leslie Prinz said he was the perfect fit for them.
“We have always adopted our animals and when two years had passed since we lost our last dog we thought it was about time to adopt another,” she said.
“It was love at first sight, he loves my daughter Kayla and my father who also lives with us is very taken with him.
“We live out at Kalangadoo and he loves to run around the backyard.”
Already thinking ahead to next year’s event, Ms Rolston said they hope to continue to use The Rail as the event location.
“We are really looking forward to next year and already have some ideas of what we would like to change and add,” she said.
“We hope it will be even bigger and crazier than this year.”
