A runner and her dog just moments from crossing the finish line.
Brian Collins and his dog Ellie wait for his wife to finish the race.
Rikki Walker and her German shepherd Diesel.
State Trooper Shaun Smith and his partner “Chill Will” showing audience members his obedience skills.
Jamie Moss’ dog Lucy smiles for the camera after taking a break from running around.
Andrew Reynolds sits with his dog Suzie, a 3-year-old pit bull mix.
Zack Salvador and his dog Erckle.
Joe Amedio and his dog Moose walk the rest of the way to the finish line.
State Troop Shaun Smith and “Chill Will” before their show.
Lucy, a beagle mix takes a break from running around.
Contributed by Shenandoah Briere
Oswego County Today intern
OSWEGO TOWN – From the wag of a tail, to barking, various dogs and their owners participated in the 12th annual Rover Run 5k and family fun day on Sunday (Sept. 10) at SUNY Oswego’s Fallbrook Recreation Center.
The Oswego County Humane Society has hosted the event since 2004. It’s a great opportunity for dogs to get to know each other and have fun, the organizers said.
Joanne Piersma, a director at the Oswego County Humane Society said that the event was a good representation of the values the humane society wants to instill in the community.
“We try to provide services to people as much as to pets, so that they are better able to keep their pets with them and this event reflects that underlying value that we have as a humane society,” said Piersma.
At 10 a.m. dogs and their owners began the 5k race with the winner being announced later at the event and there was also a one-mile walk.
Other activities included tattoos for the dogs, a bouncy house for the kids and lunch.
The Humane Society also took donations throughout the event and raffled off a $100 lottery ticket.
Also in attendance was Pet Smart, which provided samples of dog food and treats.
Two Pet Smart groomers, Mackenzie Pittsley and Ashley Miner, who helped at the event, said that they were happy to see the community coming together and people enjoying themselves.
“It’s good to see that we can get dogs to actually communicate and socialize because I feel like there’s not enough going on for dogs to attend functions and event like this,” said Pittsley.
Miner said that she gets excited when there are events she can bring her dog to and it’s those days that are the best to her.
Part of the New York State Trooper K-9 unit was represented and put on a demonstration showcasing the obedience skills of one of their dogs.
Trooper Shaun Smith brought his partner, Will, a Belgium Malinois, to give people a chance to see what he has been taught.
Will, also known as “chill Will” for his relaxed demeanor, came from Holland and is Smith’s second dog partner, his first dog, Doyle, is now retired and living at home with Smith’s family.
Smith currently owns three dogs and has rescued dogs before.
He said that adopting or rescuing dogs is important and “the best way” because it gives the dog a second chance at life.
He said that with his one rescue dog, Zack, he knew immediately after meeting him that he had to take him home.
“When I adopted Zack, I didn’t know the dog,” said Smith. “I saw a picture of him on the Internet. I went out to Oneida to get him and I was sitting there and we were going to take the female dog that came with him and he came up to me put his head right in my lap and I’m like ‘done, taking him.’”
Many other participants shared similar sentiments about their dogs.
Piersma said that “dogs change your life.”
“When you have a pet, you are necessarily more grounded, you have that responsibility and that’s a good thing. It’s not a burden. It’s just a good thing,” said Piersma.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.
Located at 29 W. Seneca St., Oswego, NY.
Phone: 315-207-1070.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oswegohumane.org
Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.
Shenandoah Briere is a Journalism major and Public Justice minor at SUNY Oswego
She is the Chief Copy Editor of The Oswegonian
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