‘Dog Days of Bridgton’ benefits rescue organizations
Billy Ray, one of dozens of canine attendees at the Dog Days of Bridgton festival, takes a bath. (Rory Sweeting/Staff Writer)
Dozens of dogs and their owners converged on Bridgton on Saturday, Aug. 15, to celebrate the seventh annual Dog Days of Bridgton, a festival raising money for seven local organizations dedicated to helping man’s best friend.
Event organizer Carole Sunday said the event started in 2018 and took two years off due to COVID-19 before restarting in 2022.
Sunday, who owns the specialty food store, Tasteful Things, along with her husband, Nate, said the two of them have always loved animals, and wanted to put on an event that would benefit local animal shelters. Sunday acknowledged the great expense of running an animal shelter, particularly when it comes to veterinary bills and housing an animal until it is adopted.
All of the proceeds from the event, Sunday said, would go to seven animal shelters in the Lakes Region and beyond.
Dolly the Newfoundland would like the attendees of Dog Days of Bridgton to know that she is not, in fact, a bear. (Rory Sweeting/Staff Writer)
One of the beneficiaries is Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue in Yarmouth, which serves as a “retirement home” for sick or elderly dogs. Laurie Dorr, who has run the nonprofit with her husband since 2019, said her organization takes in dogs whose owners have died or are otherwise unable to care for them. While Finally Home is currently at capacity, Dorr said they help rehome dogs they are unable to take in, and run a fundraiser to give grants to low-income Mainers so they can provide veterinary care for senior dogs.
Mission Working Dogs, an Oxford-based group that has trained hundreds of therapy dogs throughout southern Maine, is another beneficiary. Christy Gardner, founder and president of Mission Working Dogs, said her organization is the only mobility service dog provider in the state, and is also focused on training dogs to work with veterans and civilians dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Gardner said the organization is up for international accreditation next year, which would allow them to provide dogs to veterans in need and cover veterinary care.
Passion for Pets volunteers Randy Morse and Amy Pearl are pictured with Hope, who was rescued from puppy mill and was up for adoption during Dog Days of Bridgton. (Rory Sweeting/Staff Writer)
Passion for Pets, a Brunswick-based rescue organization, held open adoptions for dogs rescued from abusive or neglectful conditions. Amy Pearl, a volunteer, said the organization serves as a foster network for rescue dogs. Pearl said the dogs, many of whom were saved from being put down, have varying levels of trauma, with some being ready to enter their new forever home, while others need time and care. Pearl said the organization would be at Pet Rock in the Park in Portland later this month, and is always looking for volunteers.
Carole and Nate Sunday also praised the event’s volunteers for working year-round to make sure the event comes to fruition. Carole Sunday cited the example of a volunteer from New Hampshire who made $800 off a yard sale, all of which went toward the organization of Dog Days of Bridgton. She also set up a committee a couple of years ago, and encouraged residents to let her know what worked from the previous Dog Days and what could be improved upon.
In addition, this year’s Dog Days commemorated longtime Bridgton resident Eric Marston, who died in January. Marston was known for driving his motorcycle around town with his two dogs in the sidecar. Carole Sunday said Marston was a frequent customer at Tasteful Things, and the event would honor him by creating custom stickers and decals.
Mister Pemberton, a 16-year-old three-legged pug, in his “ride” at Dog Days of Bridgton. (Rory Sweeting/Staff Writer)
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Tagged: animal shelter, dogs
Rory, an experienced reporter from western Massachusetts, joined the Maine Trust for Local News in October 2024. He is a community reporter for Windham, Raymond, Casco, Bridgton, Naples, Standish, Gray,. More by Rory Sweeting
