By Luke Voogt
Local pooches are putting their paws to the pavement for a positive cause in the latest walking group to spring up along the Barwon River.
The healthy hounds have raised money since November through the ETC Dog Walk, the brainchild of local gym owner John Bourke.
“A lot of our members that don’t have dogs come just so they can be around them,” John said.
“It’s grown to the point where it’s not just gym people – it’s now for people who just want to take their dog for a walk.”
The canny canines supported efforts to raise nearly $15,000 for two junior members at the gym, whose mother died before Christmas last year.
The walkers have since turned their efforts towards raising money for Geelong charity Adopt Me Inc, which finds new home for local abandoned pets.
The walk has grown to about 30 people and their furry friends, with 10 Great Danes including John’s pooch Paul getting involved.
“He lives at the gym fairly often,” John said. “We’re a really dog friendly gym and we’ve had lots of members bring their dogs in.”
The dog walkers will hit footpaths along the Barwon River again on Saturday. Search “ETC Dog Walk” online for more information.
