Those paws were made for walking

Is there anything better than the slightly chaotic thrill of promenading with your best buddy in a crowd of keyed-up canines, talking and laughing (sniffing and barking) with friends and strangers drawn together by a common love of companion animals?

For many of us, this is one of the great rites of summer. Once or twice a month all season long, mixed-species crowds gather to stretch their legs and show support for the shelters and humane organizations that work for the welfare of animals.

Montlake resident Lisa Clinton describes her favorite dog walk as a blast. "I laugh so much watching dogs running around -- happy and slobbering -- walking or running in the race, drinking from (or getting into) the pools of water at the water station, and meeting and greeting other dogs," says Clinton, who gets her "canine fix" by volunteering at the Seattle Animal Shelter's Furry 5K.

"My husband, who runs the race each year and collects as many pledges as he can, says that his favorite part is when he is at the starting line and crouches down to the level of all the eager dogs."

Dog walk season kicks off across the water with the PAWS of Bainbridge Island Dog Walk (Sunday, June 1, Battle Point Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.). The tradition has meandered along in Winslow over the past several years, but with a new venue and a seriously motivated committee, PAWS executive director Judy Hartstone is enthusiastic about this year. She says -- weather permitting -- it will be more like a festival. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society of Bainbridge Island has been helping companion animals on Bainbridge and in Kitsap County for 34 years.

The actual marching distance is a 1 1/2-mile loop, but Hartstone says she wonders if walkers will complete the distance with so many distractions: agility and obedience demonstrations, Rusty the police dog, instant pet portraits, an animal communicator, animal massage and competitions, including a team competition for Best Spirit, with a grand prize of a private movie screening at a local theater. (Minimum donation of $20 per person.)

Only a week later, the Seattle Animal Shelter gets into the swing with the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk (Sunday, June 8, Seward Park, 9 a.m.-noon). Clinton volunteers for this walk because it's the Shelter's biggest fundraiser for its Help the Animals Fund (HTAF), which provides veterinary care and supplies for sick, injured or abused orphaned shelter animals.

"I have seen so many animals given a second chance due to the HTAF," says the owner of Madrona clothing boutique Juniper, an event sponsor. "It is one of the things I am most proud of as a business owner." (Early registration is $25 with T-shirt and $20 without. Day-of-race registration is $30.)

July belongs to the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, which has the distinction of being the largest animal shelter in Washington state, receiving and finding homes for more animals than all of the King County shelters combined.

Dog-A-Thon 2008, the Society's walk for homeless pets (Saturday, July 26, Fort Steilacoom County Park, Lakewood, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.), is also one of Washington's biggest canine constitutionals, attracting more than 1,000 animal advocates and their four-legged friends.

Participants and their pups can join a one-mile or four-mile stroll; check out dozens of pet-related booths, demonstrations, contests and entertainment; and sample some barbecue. There is no registration fee, although participants are encouraged to raise pledges.

Throw a few obstacles into the path of your average dog walk, and you get CityDog magazine's Muttmazing Race (Friday, August 8, South Lake Union, noon-6 p.m.). It's sort of an Amazing Race/Stupid Pet Tricks hybrid: Participants team up with four-legged, furry buddies to tackle quirky challenges, such as timed poop-scooping, dog dress-up and agility tunnels.

There are 10 challenges in all, but since competitors are only timed during an actual challenge, there's plenty of opportunity to take breaks and enjoy the South Lake Union Block Party.

Fetch a Muttmazing Race passport at the CityDog booth at the northwest corner of Westlake and Denny. The human-dog duo with the best overall time -- stamped in their passport -- will be awarded the grand prize (not yet announced) prior to a dog-friendly screening of "Juno." Additional prizes will be awarded along the way. The $10 entry fee goes to the Seattle Animal Shelter.

The walk season continues in September with a woof and howl at PAWS Walk in Magnuson Park (Saturday, September 6, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., walk begins at 10 a.m.). Seventeen years strong and benefiting Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynnwood, the PAWS Walk attracts a big crowd and has plenty of walk-day trimmings, including animal-friendly shopping, free samples, a canine agility course, a kids' zone and PAWS dogs for adoption.

Last year, more than 1,000 people, and at least as many dogs turned out and helped raise more than $175,000, which set a PAWS Walk record. (Registration is free with a suggested $25 donation.)

The season of walks concludes on October 4, with the Seattle Humane Society's Walk for Animals (University Village Shopping Center). Paw your way along a 3-kilometer scenic trail or just show up with or without your best furry friend for a fun-filled day. (Walk registration is $30 per person.)

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