Dogs bring pet lovers and cancer prevention together in Modesto

A dogged determination to prevent cancer and raise money for a cure sent humans and their pooches to north McHenry Avenue for the Bark for Life 2015 on Saturday.

Booths selling dog and people treats, doggie tutus and pet beds raised money for the American Cancer Society. A music-backed host led canine contests, including best trick, smallest dog and musical chairs.

Event host PetSmart donated dog grooming and flying discs for contest registrants, said organizer Sandi Lwin. For a $20 entry fee, all of which was donated to the American Cancer Society, participants also got a purple bandanna for their dog, in specially made small triangles or the regular size.

“Bark for Life highlights the dog’s help. I’ve talked to survivors who said without their dogs, they wouldn’t have made it,” Lwin said. “Their unconditional love for us and how they get us through the difficult times – they don’t care what we look like.”

At the Westside Animals for Adoption table, junior volunteers Marissa Tellas, 14, and Yolanda Gutierrez, 13, of Patterson played with 4-year-old German shepherd Bobby. “He had a bad ear infection when we got him, but that’s gone. He’s trained pretty well,” Gutierrez said as she gave him treats for passing sit and stay commands.

The crew brought seven dogs, from a 21/2-pound teacup chihuahua to a 100-pound German shepherd, hoping to find homes for them at Bark for Life, said WAA volunteer Brooke Rex.

One, a small, scruffy bundle of people-loving energy named Emma, found her soul mate. Emma went home with 5-year-old Samantha Haug. “Samantha loves animals, and she just fell in love with Emma,” said mother Donna Haug. Her daughter is autistic, and seeing the bond made Emma the clear choice for Samantha’s first pet, Haug said.

“All the cancer research, the information, the services we have – people need to know it’s available,” Hoek said.

She got involved in Relay for Life after cancer claimed a co-worker, another co-worker’s mother and a third co-worker’s daughter, all within a month. Today she walks as a 9-year survivor – “I like that I have to count” – after catching her cancer early enough to avoid chemotherapy, Hoek said.

“That’s what we want, early detection. Get rid of it early,” she said.

This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 9:30 PM with the headline "Dogs bring pet lovers and cancer prevention together in Modesto."