Paws for a Cause

Check-in runs from 8:30- 9:15 a.m at Aitkin City Park. Registrants get goody bags for dogs and human partners. Line-up starts at 9:20 a.m. and the walk/run takes off at 9:30 a.m. Before and after the walk, activity booths will run throughout the park. They are expected to include: a “Best Friends Tent” where kissing pooch photos will be taken and paw print keepsakes will be made, a doggie raffle tent, a “Pamper your Pup Tent” where Aitkin Pet and Farm Supply will do trims, “dog tattoos” and a “Canine Cafe,” hosted by the Tuscany Room, where the menu will include breakfast biscuits, waggie bites, puppy chow, biscotti bones and coffee. At 11 a.m., Aitkin County Deputy Greg Payment and his dog, Loki, will do a K9 unit demonstration. Contests start at 11:15 a.m., featuring prizes for a wide range of categories like “best groomed, youngest dog owner, best dressed dog, longest dog/owner relationship, most unique pet trick, biggest and smallest dogs and pet/owner look-alikes. A closing program starts at 11:45 a.m. with presentations by Ruschmeier and representatives of Ruff Start Rescues in Princeton and Aitkin. Rufus, mascot for Ruff Start Rescue in Aitkin will make an appearance and the event will conclude with a check presentation to the Ruff Start in Aitkin. It will not end until the last adoptable dog has “strutted their stuff” on “Rescue Runway.”