Pets get all decked out for walk
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
More than 1,000 pets and their owners participated in the Hawaiian Humane Society's annual Petwalk yesterday at Ala Moana Beach Park. Even Hokget, the famed canine castaway who was rescued last April, turned out for the two-mile walk around Magic Island that raised nearly $75,000.
| • | Pet quarantine eased |
By Allison Schaefers
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two by two, they came in all shapes and sizes at the Hawaiian Humane Society's Petwalk 2003.
Animal lovers and their pets made tracks at the 13th annual event, with Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Jeremy Harris in the lead, courting their more furry, feathered and slippery constituents.
More than 2,300 people and an estimated 1,000 pets, including dogs, cats, rats, turtles, bunnies, birds and a pot-bellied pig, raised almost $75,000 during the two-mile walk around Magic Island and Ala Moana Beach Park.
An appearance by Hokget, the Jack Russell terrier who gained fame after being rescued from a derelict tanker in April of last year, was the day's highlight. Hokget, six pounds heavier since her rescue, was sporting new parents, Mike and Helen Kuo, Humane Society supporters from 'Ewa Beach.
Hokget was the pet of the skipper of the Taiwanese tanker Insiko, which sailed the Pacific providing fuel and provisions to fishing fleets. A shipboard fire killed one crew member and left the tanker adrift.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
When the crew was rescued, Hokget got left behind. Hawai'i animal lovers learned of the abandonment and the Humane Society led a massive effort to find the tanker and save the dog.
Mickey, "an overweight 11-year-old Chihuahua," as described by owner Pattie Herman, was dressed as Uncle Sam for the Hawaiian Humane Society's annual Petwalk in Ala Moana park yesterday.
"She's brought us so much joy," Mike Kuo said.
Oddly enough, that's what Faith Fay and Franco Zacco of 'Aiea said about their pet fancy rats, whom they've dubbed Winter and Spring.
Zacco completed most of the walk with the two perched on his shoulders, sometimes crawling under his shirt.
Other pet owners transported their pets in backpacks, strollers and baskets. Some perched colorful birds on their shoulders or hands. Four little girls lugged pet turtles around in plastic aquariums.
Dean Grubbs and Audra Bulloch went whole hog when they had to carry their pot-bellied pig Plato two-thirds of the way.
"He got tired," Grubbs said.
Plato wasn't the only pet lagging. There were frequent water and sniffing breaks as well as time-outs for gourmet doggie treats supplied by the Hawai'i Doggie Bakery.
Store owner Jen Kunishima said she donates 300 pounds of treats to the special event each summer.
Many went all out dressing their animal friends in everything from ribbons and bows to red-white-and-blue patriotic visors to hula skirts and lei.
Sharon Sakoda of Honolulu made herself a vest to match her Chihuahua P.J.'s colorful orange jacket and got her friend, Steve Yoshida of Honolulu, to sport an "Official Dog Walker" shirt.
Sakoda said she turned out for the event to support the Humane Society and to give P.J. an opportunity to learn socialization skills.
During the walk, many pets veered off course for a dip in the ocean.
Later, people and pets were invited to stay for entertainment, including a tail wagging contest and other pet activities.
Celebrating the relationship between people and animals is what the event is all about, said Eve Holt, director of community relations for the Humane Society.
"It's about people sharing their love for animals," Holt said.
The governor, who left her two cats at home, including one that she adopted two weeks ago from the Humane Society, said she was pleased to lead the walk.
"They (pets) have a very high purpose in our very civilized society," Lingle said.
Petwalk, which has grown annually since 1990, also is a fund-raiser for a worthy cause, she said.
Last year, the Humane Society sheltered nearly 32,890 animals, conducted 1,375 animal-cruelty investigations and rescued 922 animals.
The mayor, who attended the walk with his wife, Ramona, and dogs Pumpkin and Bear, praised the Humane Society for the job it does in the community.
He said that during lean budget times, it's heartwarming to see so much community support for a nonprofit organization.
