AJ has no problem helping herself to treats along the Mutt Strut route. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

Mutts of all kinds – and a few pure breds – strutted their stuff as they paraded through South Lake Tahoe on Sunday.

With the temperature close to freezing at the start of the ninth annual Mutt Strut, dogs and their people were bundled up for the 1.3-mile walk from the library to the beach at Timber Cove. By the time the beach party started, the sun was out, and dogs kept sniffing and playing.

Labradoodle, pit bull, King Charles Cavalier, bulldog, Bassett, collie, Cockapoo, Dachshund and many other breeds were represented.

Although their people were collecting a poker hand along the route, the day was about the canines. More than 100 poker hands were sold. All the money goes to the Animal Coalition of Tahoe.

The all-volunteer group spends the bulk of the money that is raised on veterinary bills for the spay-neuter program. More than 1,500 families have benefited from these services in the last nine years.

The route of the strut occasionally changes. Some years it has been at the Y, other times on Ski Run Boulevard. This year dogs took their people from the library, through Campground by the Lake, across Highway 50 at Tallac Avenue, down Harrison Avenue to Lakeview Commons, along the beach and then back on the trail to Timber Cove.

At the finish the dogs bonded in their usual way.

Then it was time for the games. With hotdog pieces in a tub of water, it took all the strength of some owners to keep their canine from gobbling up the goods before the start. Pearl the black Lab emerged the winner.

Then it came time to see how well the four-leggeds did sitting on command as they played a version of musical chairs – only they had squares to sit on.

A wag-off was necessary to determine whose tail enthralled the people the most. Toby edged out Sadie for the title.

Colin and Susan Melville were at the Mutt Strut with their three dogs for the first time because they love doing stuff with their furry family members. Plus, Susan Melville is a volunteer at the animal shelter so she knows about the work ACT does.

Jim Burkett had no issue with having a pink leash for his bulldog.

“It’s the only way to tell she is a girl,” he said as Princess sat patiently at his feet.

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Note: Animal Coalition of Tahoe is having fundraiser Nov. 8 at Tahoe Bowl.

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