Dog jog supports animal charities

Mojo, 'a legend in his own time,' also contributes to the cause

Two animal charities in the tri-counties are this year's beneficiaries of the annual New Year's Day Dog Jog held in Barrington Passage – one of which is known for a very special rescued canine named Mojo.

Fifty-seven people took part in the dog jog this year, raising $870 for Shelburne's PET Projects and the Baie

Ste Marie Animal Society in Clare.

While the amount of the donations may seem small to some, “for us, even this little bit of money is a godsend,” says Leta Wagner, co-founder of the Baie Ste Marie Animal Society.

“When people go out and help this way, it gives me more time to spend here in the shelter. I also organize fundraisers, so when I'm busy with the fundraisers its takes away from the shelter and what you're doing," says Wagner.

"It's tremendous when people think of something to do to help these animals.”

The dog jog was started in 2017 by local businesswoman Talent Newell and her family and friends in memory of their family pets.

While the event was virtual this year due to COVID restrictions, Newell was pleased with the number of participants. Newell says many did the normal dog jog route along the Barrington Bay Trail.

Donations of cat and dog food were also accepted for the Baie Ste Marie Animal Society.

“We have had between 50 to 60 participants each year, so I hope to see that many, if not more next year,” says Newell.

It has been a challenge for charities such as the Baie

Ste. Marie Animal Society to fundraise to keep operations going through the pandemic.

“We got hit hard,” says Wagner.

“All fundraising had to stop unless it was online. A simple thing like selling tickets at Sobeys, we couldn't do it. One of our biggest fundraisers was a penny sale.

“We couldn't do that. That brought us in thousands of dollars. We're not government funded. We get nothing from the municipalities.”

This year marks 10 years since the Baie Ste. Marie Animal Society registered as a non-profit organization.

At the end of January, it will also be 10 years since the society rescued a threemonth-old Pit Bull Amstaff mixed-breed puppy named Mojo.

Severely dehydrated, starving and suffering from severe Demodectic Mange, Mojo's story touched the hearts of people around the world.

“I believe there's a reason Mojo came to us when he did,” Wagner says.

“He has helped us help so many more. He's a legend in his time.”

KATHY JOHNSON Freya the Husky leads the way for a group of people taking part in the annual New Years Day dog jog in Barrington Passage.

CONTRIBUTED Mojo relaxes under his blanket at the Wagner home in Clare. It's been 10 years at the end of January since he was rescued by the Baie Ste. Marie Animal Society. Severely dehydrated, starving and suffering from severe Demodectic Mange, Mojo's story touched the hearts of people around the world.

KATHY JOHNSON Talent Newell (left) gets help from friend Christina Kendrick at the registration table for the New Years Day dog jog in Barrington Passage.