ASHLAND — Janice Courtright and her 10-year-old, black cocker spaniel Lulu spent their Wednesday evening wandering through vendors’ booths outside of The Inn at Ashland Woods.
“There’s lots of cats here, but she’s the first dog, so we have to set a good example,” Courtright said.
Courtright is a resident at The Inn at Ashland Woods, an assisted living residence in Ashland. It’s the only assisted living residence in town with a specific memory care unit, according to director of sales and marketing Nikki Evans.
On Wednesday night, The Inn hosted its second annual “Mutt Strut,” an event aimed at raising money for No Pawz Left Behind.
No Pawz Left Behind
That organization, a local one, provides support for Ashland County’s dog shelter. It’s served Ashland since 2010. President Michelle Sviatko said they fund medical needs for the pups at the shelter with a goal of helping them get adopted. It also hosts adoption events.
The Mutt Strut event brought out vendors who sold animal-themed wares, leashes, collars and more. It also had 15 baskets to raffle off, donated by vendors and other local businesses.
According to Evans, the idea started because people come out to The Inn to walk their dogs regularly. She said The Inn decided it wanted to give back.
“We all have animals and we know the animals brighten up our residents’ days,” Evans said.
Last year’s event raised $600 for No Pawz Left Behind, and this year’s had a goal of $750.
What’s it all for?
For Sviatko, the president of No Pawz Left Behind, the event offers a good way for the community to come together and have a good time. Her favorite part is the dog costume contest that takes place every year. A golden retriever named Gunner won this year.
But, Sviatko said, it’s also a good chance to help give rescue dogs visibility.
“It’s all about bringing awareness of shelter dogs and rescue dogs, and getting exposure for rescue dogs,” she said.
Sviatko said she owns two rescue pups herself.
Evans said they’re already planning to host a third annual Mutt Strut next year. She encouraged people to consider volunteering with No Pawz and the animal shelter.
“We feel bad when animals aren’t well taken care of,” Evans said. “It tugs on our heartstrings a bit. We just want them all to have the lives they deserve.”
For more information on No Pawz Left Behind or how to get involved, you can visit its Facebook page.
Delilah poses in her bee costume on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Janice Courtwright and her pup, Lulu, check out the vendors at the second annual Mutt Strut on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Carrie Weiss, the owner of the Barker Shop, smiles with her 15-week-old bearded collie puppy, Spicy. The pair attended Mutt Strut on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Vendors sold their wares at the Mutt Strut. 
Twisted PJack makes leashes and collars for pups. It had a booth at the Mutt Strut event on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Sheila Mills poses with two Aussiedoodle puppies. Her dogs had a litter of 10, and the pups are eight weeks old now. She said they’re selling them on a Facebook page called “Tali’s Page The Love of a Aussiedoodle.” 
Barkley and Wagz, an Etsy shop, made t-shirts out of photos taken by a volunteer of dogs at the Ashland County Dog Shelter. A volunteer holds up one of the photos next to the shirt it inspired. They were for sale at the Mutt Strut event on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Addie, a 1-year-old cavapoo, poses in her tiger costume ahead of the Mutt Strut costume contest on Sept. 13, 2023. 
Gunner is crowned the Mutt Strut costume contest champ on Sept. 13, 2023.
