Hosted by Jonny Staub of Virgin Radio, our #DontShopAdopt Walk aims at raising awareness for rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters. This event is the first ever for Thank Dog I Am Out and we have a TON in store for May 13th. Our walk is only 4 km long – it’s over and done within half an hour, so you have plenty of time to get your pawtay pants on and join the festivities. Can’t make it for noon? That’s okay! The walk only STARTS at noon, but you can join in anytime between 12:00-12:30. Just be sure you’re back in time for the Costume Contest at 1:00. We’ll have a BBQ, music from DJ Mike Woodhouse, prizes from TISOL on Grandview HWY, and SO much more. You’ll also meet the fab crew from the internationally famed rescue organization Soi Dog Canada who work tirelessly to save dogs being killed in support of the Asia Dog Meat Trade. Register HERE to join us Saturday, May 13th. $25 per adult; kids 16 and under walk for free. Help us save dogs at risk of being euthanized, abused, surrendered or neglected.
Whether you’re the parent of a dog, a friend of a dog-crazy person, or just want to come out to dance with some doggos, and win cool prizes, then you should iron your party pants because May 13th is our first ever Charity Walk and we want you to join us. Why? Aside from being really fun and a great way to both help and celebrate other dogs, there will be some really cool people there (aside from us, of course).
Here are the 5 types of people you’ll likely meet at our walk next Saturday.
Dog-less Dog Lover
Dog lover, not yet a dog parent, the Dog-less Dog Lover exudes triple the energy of a 5-month-old puppy – well-meaning, ready to get in there, but overwhelmed by the sheer magic of a world where dogs are everywhere. Their excitement cannot be contained or measured by any quantifiable number we know. They like dog puns and will go out of their way to cross a busy street to get to a dog that needs a pat.
As a dog-less dog lover, it’s tough out there. Everyone, especially in Vancouver, is coupled up with a dog, being happy and stuff. Walking around, leash in hand, a loyal bestie, posting adorable selfies together. The dog-less dog lover has life FOMO but they are dog-less for good reasons.
Whether they’re not financially ready, too busy, or just aren’t ready to enter a committed relationship, these dog lovers are happy to just snuggle up, feed off second-hand dog ownership, and go home with the knowledge that, one day, sometime soon, they too will be ready to commit to the best years of their lives. Until then, these dog lovers will be out in full force on Saturday, and you can expect that many of them will have stuffed treats in their pockets in order to present their most attractive selves.
Quote of the Day: “Can I pet your dog? Can I get them a treat? No, don’t worry, I brought my own. No…I don’t…I don’t actually have a dog.” *awkward silence*
Helicopter Dog Parent
Some say neurotic, we say conscientious. Dog parents love their dogs to the moon and back, obviously. We all want our dog to thrive in their short but magical lives. But among dog parents exists a small percentage of overly-conscientious hoverers, called Helicopter Parents. You will know them by their worrying side eye, the hesitation they exude at letting their dog do anything without their supervision. They are always within an arm’s length distance of their dog. They’ve memorized their Vet’s number but also have it on speed dial because that’s faster and helps them sleep better at night. They are currently contemplating installing a video camera in their home, not because they think their little one is getting into mischief, but so that they can check in every hour on how they’re doing, if they’re dreaming while they’re sleeping, etc.
Helicopter dog parents only helicopter because they love their magical boofer a sweet, sweet amount, and just want what’s best for them. Nothing should ever harm them or their pure souls. They will be there on Saturday, hovering on the sidelines, analyzing every movement their dog makes, showing other dog parents all 189 photos of their sweet baby while sleeping, but will also ready at a moments notice to swoop in should any perceived trouble occur.
Quote of the Day: “I think I’m going to go with the “Pet Minder 5000; it has the most battery life and also – CeeCee, baby, don’t do that – it has a built in microphone so I can speak to – CeeCee, no, that’s too far, come back right now.”
Partner of the Crazy Dog Lover
Their patient smiles, their nods of understanding to fellow tagalongs, the way they try to subtly check their watch so they don’t offend their very excited, very happy dog lover person. The partner of the dog lover probably likes dogs. Like, on a scale of 1 to 10, they like them around a 4-5. A “normal” amount. Dogs are cool, they’re awesome at being cute, and they’ll pat one on occasion, but they’re really just at the Walk to appease their partner, who just bought an “Adopt and Chill” t-shirt, has their very own Instagram account for their dog, and also cries in movies where the dog dies.
The partner of a dog lover would do anything for their significant other, even if they don’t share the over-the-moon, dog-crazy love that they do. They will follow them around as they hop from dog to dog on Saturday, in a similar manner to someone who follows their partner in a mall with all the shopping bags, waiting outside stores while playing Candy Crush on their phone. There’s probably 5 other things they would likely rather be doing on a Saturday, but they don’t care. The atmosphere, the dogs meeting dogs, the music, the food, their significant other running from dog to dog telling them how good they are – there’s no place they’d rather be than in a field full of woofers.
“I’m Here for the Selfies”
Suns out, duck face out. If there is one thing that every social savvy selfie-takers know, it’s that dogs = likes. Because duh. Dogs are great! We’ve had this conversation already and don’t need to go over the main points again, but as a refresher dogs are: cute, loveable, loyal, master of the always adorable head tilt, friend to all except squirrels. They are also almost always photogenic and will generate much likes, so wow.
So, in full force, the Instagrammers of Vancouver will be out on Saturday, hashtags at the ready, treats in hand to lure the eyes of a floofer, their thumbs already twitching at the perfect captions and emojis they will tap into their phone. The Selfie Expert knows that the trick to not looking like a fangirl who just met N*Sync is to count slowly to 1,000 between each one. It’s a fine art. Like a marathon, they must pace themselves so they don’t tire out or look too crazy.
If you’re opting the Celebrity Parent route and would rather no paparazzi take photos of your baby doggo so they can grow up normal without the pressures of fame and celebrity, then you can politely decline the Instagrammers request to take their photo. Or dress up your doggo for our Costume Contest – a proper disguise for you and your four-legged bestie will keep the paparazzi at bay.
Quote of the Day: “Your fur doesn’t really work with my filter of choice; can we move to a different light?”
The Hero(s) We Don’t Deserve
The volunteers. The hands that went into food prep, the bodies that carried the signs, the balloons, the tents, the food, the coal for the BBQ. The sleepless nights, the stress and prep. The care and attention to detail that went in to creating an event that is dedicated to saving innocent creatures whose only fault in the world is loving their people too much.
These people are the active volunteers who dedicate their lives, time, pieces of their souls, and all of their hearts into rescuing, rehoming, and loving dogs who need a do-over at life. They are the hero we don’t deserve for how hard they throw themselves into each and every dog rescue, for how much they love, appreciate, and work at helping a shelter dog find their way from cold and alone to loved and at home. On Saturday, You will know them by their volunteer shirts or hats, by their ability to suddenly be in 4 different places at once while they manage the itinerary of the event, and by their extensive knowledge of where everything is. But most of all, you will know them by the complete and utter love they give unconditionally to each and every dog they encounter at the walk. The boofers and the floofs, the puppers and the doggos, every one of them has a story, a life that is worth saving, and they are the best kind of people we know.
Register HERE to sign up for our walk on May 13th! Registration is $25 per adult; kids 16 and under walk free. All proceeds go towards our rescue organization and helping other dogs find their furever home.
A HUGE thank you to our generous sponsors, donators, and partners who are helping make this pawtay as successful as possible.
Jonny Staub of Virgin Radio 
