Courtesy of American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society’s 1st Annual Bark in the Dark promises a howling good time for dog lovers.  The annual event, sponsored in part by Northern Paws Animal Hospital, Ministry Health Care, TLC Dog Training, and Shylo Star Kennels, takes place Oct. 17 at the Rhinelander Oneida County Airport, 4-H agility dog park, starting with registration at 3:30 p.m. and activities from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m..

Area pooches, with owners in tow, will get treats for tricks, and be able to participate in a dog costume contest or join their owner in a “couples costume contest.”  Bark in the Dark adds a twist to the Society’s traditional Relay For Life event, serving as a fundraising activity to honor the care-giving qualities of canine companions while supporting the mission of the American Cancer Society.

This family-oriented event will include fun for the pets and their people through, games, drawings, professional pet portraits for a donation and fall refreshments.  Prizes for the event include a year’s worth of dog food donated by Pawz and Clawz, a pair of Milwaukee Bucks tickets, with his and hers t-shirts, and more.

There will be activities to participate in and donations are appreciated.  The Bark For Life/Bark in the Dark event has raised about $10,000 already this year and hopes to retain its spot as the top Bark For Life in Wisconsin and the Midwest Division for 2015.  A $5 registration fee is payable at the event, and each paid registration will receive a battery operated collar light.  The popular solar lights that commemorate a loved one will be available, as well as sky lanterns, Bark For Life t-shirts and traditional purple bandannas for the dogs will be available at a suggested minimum donation.  This is also a chance to purchase the very popular Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese in support of the fight against cancer.  Cheese order forms will be available at the event with proceeds  benefiting the Bark in the Dark and American Cancer Society.  Cheese will be delivered Nov. 11, in time for the hunting and holiday season.

The committee is pleased to have the first Bark For Life calendar for 2016, featuring our local participating dogs from the past two Bark For Life events and this year’s popular Yappy Hour held last May.  Calendars are available for a minimum donation of $8 at the Star Journal/Buyers Guide office or Pawz and Clawz in Rhinelander, and will be available at the event.  Contact Diane Hapka (contact info below) for information or to find out how one can be mailed to you.

Most of all, the Bark in the Dark provides those who love dogs a chance to get together with others who have the same love for canine companions.  Whether you own a dog, or wish you did, this is a fun event where everyone with two or four legs can have a good time.

“Most pet owners consider their dogs a part of their family, especially those furry friends who lend a great amount of comfort and support during a loved one’s cancer battle,” said Diane Geis Hapka, ACS Community Engagement staff partner. “Bark For Life is the canine counterpart to Relay For Life, and Bark in the Dark is a very family-friendly chance to celebrate our canine caregivers, just as we honor other family members who support their loved ones who are fighting cancer during Relay For Life,” said Hapka.

Event organizers invite dogs and their owners, or those who admire dogs, from around the Northwoods to take part in this first Bark in the Dark. Event sponsor Carol Lofquist of TLC Dog Training is the chair of the event.

“Pre-registration is not mandatory but appreciated, so we can get an idea of how many to plan for.    Even those who do not have a dog of their own are encouraged to come out for the event.” Lofquist said. “We have  activities to delight fans of dogs, and we encourage everyone to participate in this unique way to raise money toward the fight against cancer.  We were proud to be the Midwest Division’s Top Bark For Life event in 2014, raising over $6,500, and we plan to defend that title this year, bringing back top honors to northern Wisconsin.”

To register for Bark in the Dark, go to SurveyMonkey or contact Diane Geis Hapka at 715-891-2061 or Diane.Hapka@cancer.org.

Funds raised through Bark in the Dark support the American Cancer Society’s comprehensive cancer-fighting mission to help all people stay well by preventing all cancer or detecting it early, to help people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis, to find cures through investment in groundbreaking research and to fight back against cancer by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.