Dogs on show in walk around estuary
Instead of dog walking it was a human walking programme along the Orewa estuary cycleway and walkway.
The walk was organised by the Humane Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming (Hurrah) Dog Rescue in Orewa, an independent dog welfare charity run entirely by volunteers.
Hurrah’s trustee Chrissy Clements says the idea first started while she was at work one day.
‘ ‘ I was at my desk at work overlooking Victoria Park. A lady was casually walking her dog on a lead and they looked so happy together. What I wouldn’t have given to have been able to leave the humdrum of the office and go and join them.
‘ ‘ That’s when it hit me – we should rescue the office workers from their desks.’’
She says her plan was to turn the traditional idea of rescue on its head.
‘‘It’s normally portrayed as such a morose affair, heart wrenching black and white photos of dogs stuck in little kennels. While that may be the reality of the origin of many of our dogs, I think negative marketing can be a bit of a turn off for some people, and it’s certainly not the life we aspire to give our rescues.
‘‘I like to think of them happy, enjoying the great outdoors with their human companions, and so the Hurrah Human Walking Programme was born.’’
Clements spoke to the Auckland Council, which helped her choose a track suitable for the event.
Hurrah’s major sponsors Bombay Petfoods, Urban Dogs NZ and Dog Guru were assigned as Pack Leaders and Animal Control agreed to come along too.
Sovereign’s Community Partner- ships Team donated one of their volunteer days to the walk as well.
‘‘I was absolutely thrilled with how the day went,’’ Clements says.
‘ ‘ The dogs were on their best behaviour, the weather played nicely, and several of our dogs received a flutter of interest.’’