By Ann Needle
Approximately 15 dogs and their humans strutted their stuff at Pet Source in Stow Shopping Center for the seventh Annual Monster Bark, a parade and costume extravaganza that brought out the creative side of local pet caretakers.
The $15 entry fee per animal went directly to Phinney’s Friends, a Lincoln-based non-profit that helps those in financial need keep their pets. As Phinney’s board President Daniela Caride explained, many of these people may face a sudden illness or other financial trauma. Depending on the case, Phinney’s services include dog-walking, cat litter clean-up, feeding, and even paying veterinarian’s bills. In all cases, it means keeping a pet with its loved one, Caride noted. She added, “Imagine a pet being sent away, just when a person needs them the most.”
Meanwhile, doggie delight reigned as the dogs paraded around the perimeter of the Stow Shopping Center before the winners were declared. All this activity left a few just too pooped to party.
The first-place award went to Ivory “Scuba Dog” Lopilato and his human, Stephanie, of Stow. Though Ivory was outfitted for action in a sharp scuba outfit, Stephanie wheeled him through much of the parade in a Shaw’s shopping cart – because she was tired of carrying him.
For more information about Phinney’s Friends, please visit: www.Phinneys.org
