The 16th Annual Faux Paws Dog Walk was the brainchild of Karen Partee, wife of Bryan Partee, a Rotarian in the Marshall Rotary Club. Karen and Bryan were the adopted parents of two shelter-held Dachshunds who captured their hearts and filled their lives with joy and companionship. In 2003, sensing a need to encourage others to adopt shelter animals, the two came up with a plan, called the "Faux Paws Dog Walk". This became a vehicle to raise a few dollars for the local Humane Society and a Rotary Project called Polio Plus. Here are a few excerpts from The Marshall News Messenger story announcing this event, by Lavern Hughey, dated, Sunday, April 13, 2003; and the story reporting on the event a day after it was held by Stephanie Durham, Sunday, April 27, 2003: (For more pictures of the event go to District Photo Album)
MNM Article, April 13, 2003]
Dogs and their humans will have a chance to strut their stuff at the 1st ever dog walk held in Marshall Saturday April 26. The Marshall Downtown Rotary club invited the Humane Society of Harrison County to participate in the dog walk to raise funds for both organizations. The event called Faux Paws is a one mile walk around downtown Marshall for canines of all kinds.
During Faux Paws, the Humane Society will participate in the American Humane Association National Tag Day project, which encourages all pet owners to have ID tags and pets collars for their pets. An ID tag will help the owner to reclaim the pet.
