Raising money for Humane Society always a gratifying experience

The Dog Days of Summer are upon Cold Lake again.

Even before summer began, Cold Lake had already undergone a heat warning, so it seemed appropriate that Images Studios hosted its 10th annual Dog Days of Summer fundraiser for the Lakeland Humane Society earlier this month.

Accredited canine photographer Susie O’Connor was once again volunteering to take pictures of people’s four-legged family members on June 15 and 16 in exchange for a donation of pet food for the LHS in lieu of a session fee.
“This is one of our most fun days of the year,” said O’Connor. “(It’s) always gratifying.”

She said the fundraiser is full of sloppy dog kisses and wagging tails.

“Dog Days of Summer . . . has a special place in my heart,” said O’Connor, who is a proud rescue dog owner.

She worked with pet owners to capture the true spirit of their furry friends if they brought in a 30 lb bag of dog food or three bags of cat pine litter.

Cold Lake Petland offered Dog Days clients 50 per cent off on their food or litter donation.

“It’s a wonderful circle of giving,” said O’Connor. “It really is a great day to call what we do work.”

In past years, O’Connor said the fundraiser has amounted in literal truckloads of food being brought over to the shelter. She estimates that 700 lbs of food is collected for LHS annually.