6th Annual Canine Caper
John Steinbeck said: “I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”
The folks who participated in the 6th Annual Canine Caper on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho were definitely crazy! Crazy for their dogs (that came in as many sizes as the kids that eat Armor hotdogs ) and excited to participate in a fun 5k walk under shocking blue skies, whipped cream clouds and along the lazy Moyie River.
The funds raised all go to the 2nd Chance Anima
l Adoption, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit group. Their mission statement is: “We strive to act as faithful stewards for all 
abandoned, lost, homeless, and abused animals entrusted to our care in Boundary County, with the ultimate goal of finding lifelong, loving homes for every one”.
There was a lengthy list of sponsors from throughout the community lead by Dr. Marty Becker and his boss Theresa that enabled the Canine Caper Club to create an awesome events where over 100 incredible dogs were able to walk their humans for an outstanding cause. There was terrific information on hand from http://www.petconnection.com/ along with vendors, Border Bob’s BBQ, a Rotary Club Rummage Sale, food, drinks, dog photos and the contests. Prizes and awards were given for the prettiest female, most handsome male, smallest, largest, best dressed, most 
talented, most physically fit dog, the dog who most resembles their human and Best in Caper!
Alex the Tigerboy (my son, my sunshine), made a new friend named “Gary” and they walked together. After the event
, Boundary County Prosecutor Jack Douglas (who started this event 6 years ago) and I checked out Border Bob’s chow and while he and Alex were talking about the walk and the dogs. I snuck off with Eric Ridgeway, Founder and Race Director for the “Long Bridge Swim” into the Rotary Club Rummage Sale where we both scored some great deals on some terrific items. The Long Bridge Swim on Saturday, August 1st, is another event I Emcee and Deejay every year and I would encourage you to check it out and sign up the whole family. I will be in Bonners Ferry for the SWISH 3 on 3 street basketball tourney on August 8th and 9th this year. The music will be set up directly across the street from Gary & Billie Warnick’s “Blast from the Past” 1950’s Soda Parlor and Candy Emporium. Alex and I stopped by for ice cream at this authentic soda parlor that was playing stacks of wax from back. Alex thought Mom might like a Mother’s Day gift that does not melt so we visited the cat that Helen and Stephanie Chase keep on display among the linens, lotions, candles, and all the bath and body stuff at “Tucked Away”. This was the best smelling shop I’ve been in and since we’re boys and do not really understand what Mom would want Alex just got a little something for a friend and we decided that Mom would want us to have another ice cream cone.
Alex talked about the dogs all the way home and through the rest of the weekend. He wanted to watch Disney’s “The Kid” so we could see Chester - the greatest dog in the World! He fell asleep dreaming about a best friend that would share all of his adventures. Just like the one he had in Bonners Ferry, Idaho at the 6th Annual Canine Caper to benefit 2nd Chance Animal Adoption. There is a Canine Caper photo album at my Facebook site and also on my MySpace site where you click on the word “pics” and it will take you to my photo albums where you will also find an album from last year’s FUN RUN and SWISH. There is a video on my Facebook site and it is also on You Tube where you can watch it or download.
Dr. Marty Becker said it: “There’s only one greatest pet in the world, and every family has it.” Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming to us. We will see ya for the Fun Run and the Swish. We would love to see YOU at the Cancer Relay for Life in Sandpoint on June 12, 2009. I will MC the event for 18 hours. If you would like to participate it’s not too late to have a Canine Caper and 2nd Chance AA Team. Marty has already raised enough money that the if you were to form a couple teams, the registration fee would already be credited (I am on the Committee). The funds already raised would be credited to your Bonners Ferry team(s) and you could have a lot of fun while helping to CELEBRATE - REMEMBER - FIGHT BACK. If you are going to be out of town, cannot make it to the Relay for Life but would like to participate you should definitely check out my Virtual Team which is actually called “Virtual Reality“.
Enjoy the pictures and video - it’s free.
Tags: , bashful dan, cancer relay, canine caper, dog, dogs, dr. marty becker, eric ridgeway, long bridge swim, relay for life, Sandpoint, sandpoint idaho, second chance, walk
The 2009 Canine Caper Dog Walk in Bonners Ferry was wonderful. That event, held on Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, involved a 3 plus mile walk from the Boundary County Fairgrounds along the scenic Kootenai River and back. We had the good fortune of having Bashful Dan (Dan Young) emcee the event. As usual, Dan did an excellent job and held everyone’s interest. His mirth and fine music really helped make this dog walk special for one and all.
There is a need to tag the names of the people in the photos that Dan took of the event and which he has posted. I am asking that if you want to help honor the memory of this fine event, then please go on line and tag the names to some of the photos. Dan has posted links to the CANINE CAPER ALBUM on his MYSPACE site and a link to the CANINE CAPER ALBUM on his FACEBOOK site.
This is the sixth annual Canine Caper Dog Walk in Bonners Ferry. I can honestly say they have all been special. The first one stands apart because it was the first one and was special to those of us who put it on. But the 2009 version was the largest and best-attended one. I was out on the course and counted 126 humans and almost as many dogs. Many thanks to Second Chance Animal Adoption and their people for putting this on with the Canine Caper Club. You can thank Rhonda Summerfield and her crew for that. Many thanks to the special people who helped me as course marshals. Our job was to keep it safe from speeding or negligent drivers and it all worked well. Many thanks to Rich Stephens, Chief Deputy Sheriff for the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office for his fine efforts to help keep the event safe on the course. Once again, Rich was there when we needed him and he brought his bulldog (check the pics).
A special thanks to Dan Young, who came up from Sandpoint and spent over half of a day helping with this great dog walk. His emcee efforts and the music really made it special. Folks, if you weren’t there, in all honesty, you missed something special. Also some solid gold kudos to Dr. Marty Becker and his wonderful wife, Theresa for leading the way in sponsorship. All of our sponsors are deeply appreciated - you have caring hearts and you help all of us establish and promote the friendly, compassionate, personality of Bonners Ferry. Thank you one and all.
My hope is that we can get more people in especially Boundary and Bonner Counties to attend. This is an event and a cause you can believe in, especially if you like dogs.
Sincerely,
Jack Douglas
I have to echo Jack’s comments about the day. This is the second year that I have organized this event with the help of the Canine Caper Committe and the Second Chance Board of Directors. I am thrilled beyond words with turnout and the support of all our sponsors and assistance on the day of the event. It makes me emotional to think how so many would care enough about animals to give up a Saturday and volunteer at the event. This is the only social dog event that is available in Boundary County and it is obvious how so many desire to mingle with other dog lovers.
Thank you to ALL who participated and helped. A special thank you to Kris with the ambulance who was there to treat the bloody noses and make sure the dogs didn’t wear out the owners to a point of exhaustion; Chief Deputy Stephens who was there as our law enforcement angel to keep us all safe; our most wonderful emcee Dan Young whom I hope will make this an annual event. I personally heard so many comments about how Dan made the day, how funny he was and how nice it was to have music. THANKS DAN for all the pictures, blogs and just simply being you. Lastly, to all the sponsors a special thank you: Dr. Marty and Theresa Becker; White Mountain Chain; Bonners Ferry Rotary Club; Aj’s Bar and Grill; Iron Mikes’ Gym; Thoma Taxidermy; Sally Hendricks-Bauer; Candace Wilkerson; A Family Dog; Panhandle State Bank; Police Officer’s Association-
To those who donated items:
Safeway; Edward Jones; Community Title and Far North Outfitters- without you this would not have been possible.
Thank you Jack for all your help and for the idea of this wonderful event that you started 6 years ago.
We brought in $2,800.00 that will go directly to spay and neuter and housing costs of all homeless animals in Boundary County.