Local Million Doodle March draws biggest turnout in nation

The Times, Apr 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jaime Valdez / The Times

BULLY PULPIT – Tucker, an English Bulldog who is a rescue dog, and Ruckus, also an English Bulldog, greet other dogs in front of PetSmart at Nyberg Woods before The Million Doodle March, a walk-a-thon to benefit the Oregon Dog Rescue operation, last Sunday.

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TUALATIN — The first Million Doodle March drew an outpouring of support on Sunday. Nowhere more than Oregon.

Seventy-five participants and their dogs showed up for the event sponsored by Oregon Dog Rescue, and that was the largest event in the nation, according to event coordinator Marie Shelto of New York City. Oregon also raised the most money, with $3,400.

“I was thrilled when I heard that,” said Nancy Truax, ODR director of public affairs.

New ODR sponsor Fred Meyer raised $300 for the cause. Meanwhile, Lake Oswego came through big with donation jars being filled up at Lamb’s Palisades Thriftway.

The event turned into quite a social occasion for dogs and their owners.

“The atmosphere here included lots of excitement and friendliness,” said Truax. “There were humans and dogs getting to know each other.”

Two Lake Oswego teen-age volunteers carried the ODR banner in front of all the dogs and marchers as they strolled along Nyberg Road to Brown’s Ferry Park in Tualatin.

“We had lots of recognition from automobile traffic,” Truax said. “We had drivers honk, wave and even stop to ask what we were doing.”

Such happy scenes were repeated across the nation as Oregon Dog Rescue joined many dog-minded organizations across the U.S. and Canada in an effort to benefit dog rescue programs.

It was a most promising beginning for what Truax hopes will become an annual event.

For more information about the Dog Walk-A-Thon, call Truax at 503-692-8241 or e-mail her at Truax1996@aol.com.