Paw-fect, tail-wagging morning
It was not all fun and games Saturday morning during Porterville’s sixth annual Bark for Life – an event supporting the local Relay for Life – held at Veterans Park. It was also emotional and educational for the dogs, their owners and handlers, and anyone stopping by to see what the dog-day morning offered.
While some dogs, such as Coco, a small, cream-colored Chihuahua, appeared skittish, others – such as Hank, a lab-mix dog sporting one blue eye and one brown one, and Harley, a German shepherd who loved to play with his water bowl – were not shy at all about playing, jumping and barking.
By the end of the morning, several dogs, walked away, and in some cases barked away, with an array of awards
Neftali Bautista, a young woman who is in the U.S. Army reserves, took the Best Trick award with her
white-colored German shepherd. Max, who was dressed in a U.S. Army tactical vest, wowed the small crowd with his impressive paw shake.
The “My Dog is Cuter than your Dog” award went to Miriam Gonzalez and her small, white, month-old, shih tzu puppy, Tyson. Another shih tzu, Lego, belonging to Maribel Gonzalez, received the “Most Purple” award for sporting a purple leash.
And the “Owner-dog look-a-like” contest was won by Lizeth Fuentes and her German shepherd puppy, White Tip.
Though only nine dogs officially registered for the day’s program, many other dogs attended with their service organization.
“I’m not disappointed not a lot of people showed up,” said Rhonda Szeles, event coordinator. “We still
know that what we do is important. I made a statement in 1999 – the second year of Relay for Life – that we are not going to stop until it is done.”
Everything they do with Relay for Life, helps, Szeles said.
“Forty-one cents of every dollar raised stays in the community,” Szeles said. “Treatment is funded by the American Cancer Society. Rides to the treatment are provided by American Cancer Society, and the ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ makeup program (a two-hour workshop or one-on-one cosmetology program) is offered through the American Cancer Society.”
And if someone needs to talk to the American Cancer Society, they are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for any information, in any language, Szeles said.
On hand for the day were Paws for Healing, with four of their therapy dogs; City of Porterville Animal Control,
with a few of their dogs and cats available for adoption; and several members, and their dogs, of Porterville High School’s Red Cross Club, who were on hand to demonstrate CPR – cardiovascular pulmonary resuscitation – on mannequins, and talk of how CPR is also performed on dogs.
Individuals at a couple of Relay for Life booths were also sharing personal stories, selling fundraising tokens, and offering information on cancer awareness.
Ruby Phillips talked about her daughter, Kimberlee, who was diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2009 when she was five months pregnant. Refusing to end the life of her child, and putting off more-aggressive treatment options until the baby could be taken via a caesarean-section, Kimberlee eventually lost her battle in September of 2010, Ruby Phillips said.
“Kimberlee loved
butterflies. We started ‘Butterflies for Hope’ in 2011,” Phillips said about the name of the Relay for Life team she and her husband started to join the fight against cancer.
Next to her booth was the “Ribbon Walkers” booth.
“I think this is a good idea to get out and let people know. Dogs are a big part of our lives. We always feel better when our buddy comes up and ‘asks’ what you’re doing,” Kelly said. “Everyone in our group has someone who has passed, currently has it, or has beat it. We do this for those who did, those who do and those who can’t.”
Kelly talked about different family members and friends who were diagnosed with cancer – some now in remission and others who lost their battle to cancer.
“We’re here to bring awareness to canine cancer,” said staff partner Sierra Scott of the American Cancer Society. “Most people don’t
know dogs get cancer too. They get the same cancers and get the same treatments people do.”
In addition, the dogs also help people who are dealing with cancer, and help with therapy, Scott said.
The event ended with an emotional Szeles sharing stories of loved ones with cancer, of watching her mother take her last breaths, and hearing her tell the nurses that if they had not heard of Relay for Life, they needed to learn about it “saving lives.” She also asked everyone to write down the phone number – 800-227-2345 -- of the American Cancer Society in case it was ever needed.
“There is an end. We can’t stop now. It’s important to tell your stories and communicate what you do,” Szeles said. “My challenge to you is this. 1. Educate at least one person. 2. Ask at least one person to donate. And 3. Get out there and be an ambassador.”