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Dogs March For A Good Cause

This pug princess took part in Saturday’s Stride for Strays event in Tampa. It’s a pet walk to benefit the Animal Coalition of Hillsborough County. Many dogs were dressed in costumes.

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Kim MacCormack

Published: October 13, 2007

TAMPA - Hundreds of dogs of all shapes and sizes – and their owners - participated Saturday in Stride for Strays, an annual pet walk and fundraiser for the Animal Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Wearing full-blown costumes or adorned with colorful bandanas, the dogs walked a mile around Tampa's Al Lopez Park. It was part of the annual pet awareness event that benefited the coalition's spay/neuter clinic.

Vendors, including various breed rescue organizations, pet sitters and trainers, and dog apparel designers, converged in the park around 9 a.m. Girl Scouts set up dog watering holes, as other volunteers distributed plastic bags for proper pooper scooper etiquette.

The Johnny G. Lyon Band performed and area personality Dick Crippen MC'd the event that also included a pet agility demonstration and a dog costume contest.

A golden retriever wearing a "Pirates of the Caribbean" Jack Sparrow costume, complete with braided wig, won "Best Dressed." Teams of walkers also competed to raise the most money and earn the coveted "Golden Bone Award."

Traffic was thick and parking in the area was at a premium, with the USF vs. UCF football game set nearby Raymond James Stadium. Some dogs in the park sported green and yellow jerseys in support of the Bulls.

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