Officer Jake Heinemeyer of Benicia Police Department’s K-9 Unit speaks before a live demonstration with his K-9 partner Atos at Bark For Life, which was held Saturday, Aug. 20 at Benicia Middle School. (Photo by Karen Baltier-Long)

As runners were taking part in the annual Relay for Life at Benicia Middle School to raise money for the American Cancer Society, a new concurrent event was working toward the same goal. The difference: the participants had two extra legs and long tails.

Between 40 and 50 people attended the American Cancer Society’s first ever Bark for Life fundraiser at Benicia Middle School this Saturday, in which dog owners walked with their canines to raise money toward benefiting cancer research. Teams included Benicia pet shops Pups ‘N’ Purrz and Featherer Pet as well as Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

Participating vendors included Pups ‘N’ Purrz, The Vintage Owl, Fromm Pet Food, Umbrella of Hope, Precise Pet Food, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, AnnaMaet Pet Food, Rainbow Aqua II, Featherer Pet and Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate, the latter of which provided a Dog Frisbee Competition. The other vendors provided free samples of pet foods.

In addition, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson delivered the opening address and Officer Jake Heinemeyer of the Benicia Police Department’s K-9 Unit did a live demonstration with the department’s German shepherd Atos.

According to Pups ‘N’ Purrz owner James Long, Bark for life has raised approximately $1,650 at press time, and Relay for Life has raised more than $25,000 so far.

“All in all, it was a great event held for the first time in Benicia,” he said.

To continue to donate to Bark for Life, visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=pfind&fr_id=77975. Donations are still being accepted through the end of August.

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