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People and pups enjoy weekend event

By Peggy Blackburn
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An hour after the gates opened, a line of cars still waited to get into Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park for the Humane Society of Elmore County’s annual Bark in the Park event. Director Rea Cord was apologetic about the wait, but enthusiastic about what it signified.

“I was surprised that there was still a line to get in at two o’clock,” said Cord. “But I hope that it means we’ll raise more money than ever for our animals.”

Her hopes were justified with about 800 people and 300 to 400 dogs in attendance. And more than $6,200 was raised to benefit the cause -- up from approximately $5,000 last year.

“The proceeds of this event help us to keep our door open,” said Cord. “We have the same expenses as every other business -- insurance, gas, utilities -- plus everything that’s required to feed and care for the animals.”

Cord wasn’t the only one happy with the doggie day.

Michael Dawson and his friend, Hank, were among the attendees. Dawson and his family adopted Hank from the shelter several months ago.

“He’s a great dog,” said Dawson. “And he’s been really good with our 21-month-old daughter, Eleanor.”

In addition to socializing, Dawson and Hank competed in one of the numerous contests that were part of the day’s offerings. Contests included ugliest, cutest, best costume, most talented, biggest, smallest, look-alikes and more. Winners won ribbons and applause.

“People love to show off their pets and talk to other pet owners,” said Cord. “And look at the number of well-behaved, friendly animals we have here today. This is a great venue for them.”

Among the other activities during the 4-hour event were a microchip clinic, a car show, children’s games, vendor booths including breed rescue groups, concessions, a display by the Alabama Animal Alliance’s “fix it” wagon and music by “Cecil and the Polyphonics.”

“The ‘fix it’ wagon has done more than 6,200 neuter and spay procedures since October 2007,” said Cord. “They go out to different counties, pick up animals to be ‘fixed’ and bring them back. That’s what is needed to bring down the number of homeless animals.

“We have about 15 total booths and I hope they’re all doing good today, too,” she added. “It takes a lot of people to make an event of this kind a success, and we thank each and every one.”

Cord said there was also good news on the adoption front.

“Seventeen of our great pets found new homes during the weekend,” she said. “Recently we’ve had a large influx of animals, so there are a lot that need homes. The number that come is anywhere from three, four or five-to-one. We can’t keep pace.”

Cord said the public’s generosity to the shelter isn’t confined to fundraisers like Bark in the Park.

“We have school groups that raise money and gather supplies. And there are a lot of little kids who have birthday parties and ask for supplies for the shelter,” she said. “They are really so altruistic that it sometimes brings tears to my eyes.

“We’ve even had someone who did that for their wedding, asking people to make gifts to the shelter,” added Cord. “And right now we have somebody who wants to do that for their 50th anniversary.”

This year’s event was the fourth for the society, and the third at Fort Toulouse.

“We’ve already set our calendar for next year,” said Cord. “We’ll be back here on Sept. 27, 2009.”

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