Bark for Life shows human-canine connection

Lake Tye Park in Monroe was filled with smiles and wagging tails on May 17, during the 2015 Bark for Life Sky Valley cancer fundraising event.

Coordinated by event manager Lynn LaBoda, Bark for Life Sky Valley gave people the opportunity to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in the company of their four-legged companions. Meant to honor the relationship between cancer survivors and their canine caregivers and also raise awareness of canine cancer, Bark for Life was a precursor to the larger Relay for Life event which will take place on May 30 and 31 at Monroe High School (17001 Tester Road).-á

Local families, businesses and nonprofit agencies had booths at the event, including Doggie Bling "n' Things, For Tails Only and the PPCS Relay for Life team.-á

The Washington Bully Alliance (Wabull) is a Monroe-based nonprofit dedicated to the rescue of pit bill and other breeds. It brought Lola, a 4-month-old American pit bull terrier who is currently up for adoption. Wabull was co-founded by Monroe resident Lisa Kirk-Thomsen, who operates the rescue with co-founders Megan Boulton and Ana McLean. The organization, which is sustained through donations and adoption fees, just recently obtained its 501c3 nonprofit status.-á

Wabull typically obtains dogs through owner-surrender situations and then works to locate permanent placement. Generally, the nonprofit works-áwith dogs that don't have significant health or behavioral issues. They locate stable homes for the dogs by working closely with potential adopters to ensure that the dogs and humans are well-suited for each other. The goal is to facilitate long-lasting, fulfilling relationships.-á

"At any given time, we have the capacity to hold about six dogs,GÇ¥ Kirk-Thomsen said. "We wait until we place a dog to get a new dog.GÇ¥-á

Kirk-Thomsen, McLean and Boulton are all advocates for the pit bull breed and are passionate about finding safe homes for the dogs in their care.-á

"We keep them safe until they can be spayed and chipped and put through basic training and then find them a loving pit bull-friendly home,GÇ¥ Kirk-Thomsen said. "They become part of the solution.GÇ¥

Sultan High School cheer coach Catherine Van Pelt helped oversee two booths at Bark for Life, one manned by members of the Sultan High School cheer team and another manned by her kids, Shane and Christina. Van Pelt has been involved in Relay for Life with her cheer squad for many years, so when her kids decided they wanted to join the fundraising efforts, she was completely supportive.-á -á

With the help of Galaxy Chocolates (501 Main St. in Sultan) owner Kathryne Paz, the kids have been able to achieve new fundraising goals. They first approached Paz last year for advice because they were having difficulties getting their chocolate cookie-pops to stay on the stick. When she learned they were fundraising for Relay for Life, Paz took them under her candy-making wing.-á

This year, she invited them to Galaxy to use her commercial kitchen and donated all the supplies.-á

"She had everything for us, it was fantastic! She bought the pretzels and the Twizzlers and the red vines and these big old marshmallows,GÇ¥ Van Pelt said. "She donated all of it.GÇ¥

With Paz's help, the kids created chocolate-covered licorice, chocolate-covered pretzels, jumbo-sized salted caramel marshmallows, chocolate lollipops in the shape of purple ribbons and custom-made chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies drizzled with salted caramel.-á

Known for her inventive creations and flavor profiles, Paz conceptualized the salted caramel chocolate-dipped Oreos as they worked together in her kitchen.-á

"That's a Kathryne original there,GÇ¥ Van Pelt said.-á

Bark for Life official sponsors included Chasen Smiles Dentistry and Wet Noses, a Monroe-based company that makes organic dog treats. Swag bags were donated by the Monroe Walmart store and packed full of different dog treats from Wet Noses, along with other surprises. EvergreenHealth provided items for the swag bags and three of the vendor canopies.-á

Sultan resident Dee Waluk-Johnson was the champion fundraiser, raising $500 to honor her sister, who succumbed to cancer last year. The Bark for Life event was tailor-made for Waluk-Johnson, who is passionate about dog rescues and is working on a personal goal to save 1,000 dogs.-á -á -á

For more information on Bark for Life, please visit main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=66167 or www.facebook.com/pages/Bark-for-Life-Sky-Valley/631601830305625.-á