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SANBORNVILLE, N.H. - The front of Poor People's Pub was lined Saturday with at least a dozen stainless steel water bowls for about 25 thirsty walkers out making strides for the needy on a brisk October day.
And they were lapping it up.
It was the 4th annual ARFF (Animals Raising Funds for Food) walk, which has raised more than $10,000 in its first three years, all of the proceeds going to the Wakefield Food Pantry.
This year's walk carried a tinge of sadness, however, as Lupey, an Irish wolfhound who had been in the first three walks and belonged to walk co-organizers Judy Gray and Linda Loucony, died suddenly this summer at the age of 5.
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| Judy Gray, blue sweater, one of the walk organizers, talks to a walk registrant before the Saturday's ARFF Walk. |
Loucony said they never considered not continuing the event.
"This needs to keep going," she said. "It's a good cause."
This year the scope of the event widened to include owners who wanted to walk in memory of a beloved pet.
But dogs aren't the only pets welcomed. A couple of baby pigs squealed in terror in the Poor People's Pub parking lot as curious dogs sniffed them like they were, well, dogs, something very unsettling for the little porkers.
Loucony said for each dollar raised three meals can be delivered to area needy. The total proceeds of this year's event weren't available at presstime.
The parade, led by a vintage 1926 Model-T "ARFF-mobile" complete with dog nose and ears, wended its way from Turntable Park to Poor People's Pub where pub owner Jim Keating provided the water bowls and greeted the throng of canines and humans dressed in his singular hobo attire.
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| Princess gets a rub on the sweet spot from Poor People's Pub owner Jim Keating who provided water bowls for the canine walkers at the ARFF walk midpoint. |
The walk is a combined effort of Loucony, Gray and St. John the Baptist Church of Sanbornville.
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