Pet Scene
For pet owners, the event of the year

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Illustration by Jon Orque • The Honolulu Advertiser PetWalk 2001 Sponsored by the Hawaiian Humane Society 8 a.m. Sunday Kapi'olani Park $25 minimum donation suggested 946-2187, ext. 370

For the past five years, she has participated in the fund-raiser for the Hawaiian Humane Society, dressing up her precious pups for the special occasion. Oscar Mayer, the short-haired dachshund, sports a black tuxedo bow tie, while his "wife," Ninja, dons a white lacy hat with a purple lei.

"It's my dogs' biggest social event of the year," raved the 49-year-old Hawai'i Kai resident and undeniable dog lover.

More than just a fund-raiser, the PetWalk, in its 11th year, has grown into a social gathering for pets and their owners.

"It's so fun to see all the other different breeds of dogs that come," said Brown, owner of Automation Management Consultants, a computer systems integration company in Hawai'i Kai. "And I love seeing the other dachshunds. It's fun. We have a good time."

And for a good cause.

Last year's PetWalk brought in almost $70,000 for the Hawaiian Humane Society.

The private, nonprofit organization, supported by the community through donations, provides animal adoptions, 24-hour animal lost and found, pet identification, pet loss support groups, and shelter for homeless and stray animals.

Brown knows first-hand how much of an impact the Hawaiian Humane Society can have on the community. For the past couple of years, she and her two dachshunds have participated in the organization's pet visitation program, where owners and their pets call on hospitals, retirement communities and nursing homes around the island. At least once a month they visit the residents at the Hawa'i Kai Retirement Community.

"I found that when we go into people's rooms, especially those who are totally bed-ridden and don't get up for weeks ... that they wake up, sit up, stroke the dogs and start smiling," Brown said. "I get a lot out of it."

So do the pets, who get free petting and a lot of attention.

But the PetWalk is not just for dogs.

Cats, turtles, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs have all gotten in on the action.

Grace Yoshioka has been bringing her cat, Tammy, to the two-mile stroll around Kapi'olani Park for the past five years.

The 10-pound orange tabby doesn't walk; she relaxes across Yoshioka's neck, like a fur shrug.

"She's so mellow and so friendly," gushed Yoshioka, an active 73-year-old retiree from Kane'ohe. "Everybody loves her."

Yoshioka has become sort of a celebrity over the years. Folks who see her regularly walking Tammy around Kane'ohe call her the Cat Lady.

"Every year goes by and I enjoy every PetWalk," said Yoshioka, who already raised more than $400 in pledges.

Yoshioka, who admitted to being squeamish about participating the first time five years ago, now looks forward to the annual event. Instead of being the last person to start the race, she now arrives at the park at 5 a.m., armed with a sandbox, brush, water bottle and an eyedropper to squirt water into her cat's mouth.

"Every year I enjoy it more," she said. "You have to enjoy yourself. That's the main thing."