A Fun Fundraiser

@moffittjc (117990)
Gainesville, Florida
October 21, 2016 12:22pm CST
Tomorrow morning, I will be overseeing our annual Dog Days 5K Race in one of our parks. Our city co-sponsors the event with the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine. This year's event will benefit a non-profit charity called the Josh and Friends project, which raises money to bring comfort to hospitalized children through the strength of the human/animal bond. The 5K race will begin at 8:00am (people only), followed at 9:00am by a 1-mile fun run (for people and dogs). We average about 250 participants each year, and expect that many for tomorrow's event. The start and finish line for both races tomorrow is in front of one of my swimming pools, and at the conclusion of the event we will have awards, raffles, prizes, treats for the dogs, and of course, food trucks! It will be a glorious start to the day, and will continue the dog-themed events that kick off tonight with the dive-in movie at the pool. Following the Dog Days 5K Race, we will open up the swimming pool for the dogs to swim (that will be a separate post!). Do you ever take your dog to any dog-themed events around your community? Or, have you ever participated in a dog run or dog walk?
21 people like this
21 responses
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
21 Oct 16
I have nothing to offer here. No dogs in my life!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
I love dogs, but I have allergies to them, so I don't have one as a pet at home. Which is good in a way, because I never have to worry about getting up in the middle of the night to let them out of the house to go to the bathroom! haha
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
21 Oct 16
Other than dogs seem to like you, ML
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
21 Oct 16
@FayeHazel Good woman! You remember my stories. Now I've posted a yucky one. :-)
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157281)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Oct 16
We don't have a dog but this sure sounds fun for those who do.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (157281)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Oct 16
@moffittjc .... ...Some people just don't get it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
I had an angry patron comment to me last year that the event was discriminatory because she couldn't bring her cat to the event!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
@celticeagle Definitely! This woman didn't understand that: 1) cats don't like water. 2) cats will be terrified of all the dogs; and 3) the cat would just take off running away. They don't listen and obey like dogs.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Oct 16
I don't have any dogs or pets, but that sounds like a lovely fun event. :) Don't forget your protective gear (sunglasses, sunblock)
2 people like this
• United States
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc Hahahaaaaa But with Florida weather, is there a chance of it raining? I hope not though =)
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc To protect yourself from the rain, doh =) Haha, I don't know how with rain almost every day. But you can share some rain here, we're in a drought!
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc = Full rain coat
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 16
I never did that, but my daughter is taking her Chihuahua to and event for that breed in Portland on Sunday. I hope it goes well for both. The dogs will be allowed in a play area and I asked her how she will tell hers apart from the rest.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
We have an event on Sunday for dachshunds that will be really fun. It's called a Halloweener Derby, where the dogs race for prizes and awards. It's pretty funny to watch. I'll post about it tomorrow.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc That should be fun to watch!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
@JamesHxstatic It is, but half the time the dogs do everything but run the race! It's actually pretty funny to watch! They race 10 dogs to a heat, and out of those 10, maybe 1-2 will actually cross the finish line at the other end of the course (it's a 50-yard dash).
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Oct 16
That sounds awesome! Lucky dogs! Lol! My dogs and I never had it so good.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
I think our pets are more spoiled than we are these days!
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 Oct 16
@DianneN , my pet is still young Cap Arthur. He is going demanding this time.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (98795)
• Canada
21 Oct 16
Sounds like a great event and a fun day. We have a dog jog here with is a 2.9 kilometre walk. The participants collect pledges to raise money for the local animal shelter. You can bring your own dog but if you don't have a dog you can walk one from the shelter. It is a great event and there is always a big turn out.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
That is a great idea for getting the dogs in the shelter out for a walk and some exercise! My daughter volunteers at our local animal shelter, and part of her duties is taking the dogs for a walk, and interacting with them so they learn not to fear people.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (98795)
• Canada
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc That is wonderful. My children and I use to do that when they were younger. They always wanted a dog and we couldn't have one where we lived at the time so we would volunteer to walk the shelter dogs on Saturday. They really looked forward to it each week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe It's the best way to do it if you can't actually own a dog!
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
21 Oct 16
Sounds like fun! I'm sure everyone, people and dogs alike, will have a great time! Haven't had a chance to join any pet themed-events.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47007)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 Oct 16
This sounds like a really good and fun idea. I wish you guys good luck, and I hope it goes well for you. I haven't heard of this sort of event around here, but I might just look it up and see if there is.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
There's usually several agencies in each community that will offer dog runs or dog walks as a fundraiser for their organization. Pretty simple and pretty fun events to offer, and they usually generate lots of support!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 16
It sounds like a real fun event, I hope you raise lots of money. I've not got a dog at the moment, but when we did she won the dog with the most waggiest tail event.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 16
@moffittjc It's a fun event for the mutts who don't have a lot else going for them
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
@jaboUK I'm a mutt, and I don't have a lot going for me, so maybe I should join these waggiest tail contests! Maybe I could win something!?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
I never thought about having a waggiest tail contest! That is definitely something I can include in next year's event! Thanks for the idea!
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Oct 16
a most worthy cause :) i don't reckon they've such thingies 'round these parts? 't least i aint ne'er heard 'f 'em. they did've one fer the cancer society where's ya rode yer horse 20 miles, yer pup t'was welcome to tag 'long. that'd be the closest i can recall? sadly they only did such fer 2 years.
2 people like this
@akalinus (40195)
• United States
31 Oct 16
I have had lots of dogs over the years but never attended any events with them.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (40195)
• United States
31 Oct 16
@moffittjc Yes, I'm sure. Dogs have always been popular. We lived in the country and kept the dogs at home most of the time.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Nov 16
@akalinus I've noticed that with each passing year, dogs become less and less of pets and more and more like actual family members. Sometimes, I think we go a little overboard in how we treat our pets, but it seems to make people (and the dogs) happy.
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Oct 16
Dog events are gaining in popularity with each passing year.
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10343)
• Cochin, India
22 Oct 16
That is great fun and enjoyment. What type of breed is participating mostly for the event. Or all breeds are welcome?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Oct 16
@shshiju I've never been to a dog show before. I've seen a few that have been televised, but I've never actually watched them.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
All breeds are welcome!
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10343)
• Cochin, India
24 Oct 16
@moffittjc Ironically there held a dog show in Kochi yesterday. It is very interesting to watch the various breeds.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Oct 16
That sounds like a blast @moffittjc . And for a very good cause.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Oct 16
It's not only a fun event to run, it's an easy event to run as well! And one where you don't have to put in a lot of work to get a good return on!
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
21 Oct 16
I like this idea of the dogs' swimming pool event
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
Nice! I'll probably post about it tonight or tomorrow morning! It's one of my favorite events I run throughout the entire year!
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
@5thHouse You would enjoy our 5K race! The course runs through a very scenic area. And the weather is going to be absolutely beautiful!
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
21 Oct 16
@moffittjc I wish I could've run the 5K race. (I did another virtual 5k today in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. I think I'll be ready for a 'real' race soon.)
1 person likes this
• Guangzhou, China
22 Oct 16
i like dogs,but since i 'm single and have to work for 9 hours per day,i have no time to take care of them.so only leave some fish and plants at home
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
4 Nov 16
Sounds like a nice event. Good luck to all involved and Gods Blessings!
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 Oct 16
Sorry, No, no dog at home , I have just acquired a cutie pup named Cap Arthur.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15706)
• United States
23 Oct 16
No there is nothing like that near us. Maybe in the bigger cities like Charlotte which is about 50 miles from here. Hope all went well.
1 person likes this
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
21 Oct 16
What movie are all showing tonight?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
The Dog Who Saved Halloween
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
21 Oct 16
No have never participated in dog events, but that sounds great. I've often wondered why hospitals, nursing homes, etc - don't adopt some shelter pets to live on site, cared for my staff to keep the elderly and ailing company, it seems like it would work well both for the animal and the people.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (117990)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Oct 16
The Josh and Friends project that we are raising money for does something similar to what you are suggesting. They bring animals in to interact with sick patients in hospitals. Studies have proven that these human/animal interactions have helped raise spirits, promoted healing, and have been effective in improving the overall mental state of hospitalized patients, especially children!