Walk a dog, save a dog
It’s almost time for the 3rd Annual Marble Falls Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon, an event aimed at saving shelter dogs from destruction.
The walk will be sponsored 10 a.m.-2 p.m., March 7, by the Highland Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which operates a no-kill sanctuary and promotes pet adoption in Burnet County.
The Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon features a two-and-a-half mile walk, with friends, family and your canine companions setting out for fun. The walk route is new this year. It begins in Marble Falls’ Johnson Park, 230 South Avenue J, and follows the newly finished Backbone Valley Hike & Bike Trail to the dog park inside Westside Park across from the intersection of Avenue Q with 2nd Street. Walkers will progress to Historic Main Street, past Market Days booths and back to Johnson Park,
Shortcuts have been identified for abbreviated routes back to a “party in the park” to enjoy vendors, doggie contests, food, live music and more. The Co-Ed Softball Tournament begins at 10 a.m. in Johnson Park.
The entire event benefits the work of Highland Lakes SPCA, so organizers are asking all animal lovers and their dogs to enjoy the day.
Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children, beginning at 9:30 a.m. or online in advance. The official walk start time is 11 a.m., but registered walkers may begin any time.
“More than 150 registered walkers and their dogs participated in each of the first two Marble
Falls Walk-A-Dog-A-Thons,” said organizer Shannon Heep of Customized Solutions Event Planning and WeAreMarbleFalls.com. “The event results far exceeded expectations, raising more than $20,000 for the dogs throughout past two years.”
Heep believes the event is a natural fit for the area.
"We love our dogs in the Hill Country,” she said. “I knew that the community would love the opportunity to come out with their dogs and support our local no-kill shelter. Producing this event has been an honor.
“As the event slogan says, ‘It's just dogs helping dogs.’"
Softball registration is $175 per team or $20 per person. More event information and walk or softball registration is available through links at www. wearemarblefalls.com, by contacting Heep, Shannon.Heep@gmail.com or 830-385-9289, or Jeannette Murphy, president of Highland Lakes SPCA, 830-693-0569.
