Festive, family fun at the Dam Dog Walk | Hartwell Sun, Hartwell, Georgia

Hailey Cox, owner of Hailey’s Pet Sitting and Services, holds Luna, a rescued 7-year-old chihuahua with no eyes. Luna made her first appearance dressed in beachwear at this year’s Dam Dog Walk and won second place in the costume contest. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
(L-R) Layla Evans, 8, Noah Evans, 7, James Evans, 9, father Matt Evans, Chief Evans, 4, and mother Amy Evans, walk Teddy, a two-year-old poodle, through the balloon arch at the Dam Dog Walk event. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Devin Blakely, first-time event volunteer, holding Zoie, a five-month-old mixed breed, at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Zoie is available for adoption at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Zoie, a five-month-old mixed breed, sits and looks up at the camera at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Zoie is available for adoption at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
The porch band member singing and playing guitar at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. The Porch band performed a wide variety of music for several hours during the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio).
Event Attendee posing with her poodle at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
The third place winner for the best talent pageant, a Boston terrier, and her owner posing with their winner certificate at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk 2025. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
The third place winner for the best talent pageant, a Boston terrier, greeting attendees at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk 2025. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
K9 Justice, a veteran-owned dog training program, conducting an attack training demo at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
(L-R) Poo, a 14-year-old poodle, and Soup, a five-month-old poodle, standing tall at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Owner Leah Murphy gives her dogs a fresh hair cut and dye once every 2-3 months. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Chris Fleming, event attendee, petting Oreo, a one year old Aussie Shepherd mix, at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Oreo is the Hart County Humane Society's newest addition and is available for adoption. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Quinton Holmes, Chevy Holcomb, Lauren Yetzina and Quillie Holmes walking Diamond, a piconese mix, through the balloon archway at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Marshall, a three-year-old toy fox terrier, walking the trail at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Despite his small size, Marshall walked the entire trail and still had enough energy to perform in the talent pageant. (Photo/Adriana Cascio_
Buddy, a 10-year-old rescue Yorkshire terrier, is pushed by Linda Poss in a stroller at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Poss said although Buddy is an older, small breed and cannot walk very far, he still enjoys going on adventures. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
(L-R) Reggie and Monty, great Pyrenees mix brothers, walking with Andrea Pendley and Cindy Pendley at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Event attendee holding Zoie, a five-month-old mix breed, at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Zoie is available for adoption at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)
Gary White, event volunteer, holding Teechee, a mutt named after the Cateechee Golf Course where she was found, while getting pet by Summer Albright, event volunteer, at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. Albright said Teechee, who is available for adoption at the Hart County Humane Society, is a sweet dog and deserves to find a good home. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Event attendee holding up her dog dressed in a pink tutu for the pageant competition at the 2025 Dam Dog Walk. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

A beautiful day for a Dam Dog Walk

Hart County Humane Society hosted its 18th annual Dam Dog Walk April 5 at the Big Oak Recreation Area. This year’s event was sponsored by Purina and Lake Hartwell Veterinary Clinic. The fundraising event featured pageant shows, walking trail, adoptable dogs, vendors and food. The Porch Band performed at the event and K9 Justice showcased a training demo for police dogs. The dogs are trained to identify bombs and drugs and attack on command. All dogs and people were welcomed at this year’s event.