WEST MILFORD-This year, the West Milford Animal Shelter (WMASS) will hold its annual Walk-A-Dog-Athon On Sunday, Oct. 17, (rain date Oct. 24) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wawayanda State Park on Warwick Turnpike in Hewitt. Everyone is invited to take a leisurely walk in a beautiful park and help homeless shelter animals. Come with or without a dog and enjoy the day. Each dog will receive a free goodie bag" and a bandana. There are two ways to win. All participants are eligible to win one of five prizes by obtaining sponsors and collecting donations from them. Obtain one sponsor or 100. Either way, the five highest totals win. Its fun and its easy, according to shelter spokeswoman Glory Bracken. Enter alone, as a family, as a group or a troop. Prizes include: a grand prize of $500, and gift certificates including one for $400 from Ortolani Jewelers of West Milford and another for $300 from ShopRite Supermarket. Other prizes include two tickets for the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, and a $50 gift certificate from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Enter one or more of the following contests and use the free agility course. First, second and third place ribbons and prices will be given in the following categories: Best Dressed (dog and owner), Smallest and Largest by size, Best Trick, Best Behaved (basic commands), and Pucker-Up (best kisser). Registration is free. Participants can register at the walk. Judging will take place at 1:30pm. WMASS is a totally volunteer shelter. All proceeds directly benefit the animals at the shelter and all donations are tax deductible. Call (973)728-2859 for a registration form and information or log onto www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org During the 2003 event, more than 200 dog lovers with their pooches leashes in hand took to the pavement to raise money for the West Milford Animal Shelter Society. Young and old bonded with their best four-legged friends at Wawayanda. That 20th annual "Walk-A-Dog-ATHON" "raised more than $8,000 for the shelter" said Gloria Bracken, chairwoman of the event. "A lap is a terrible thing to waste; we have so many great dogs at the shelter that are looking for a loving home," said Bracken. "Events like this really help out the shelter in a big way and it is also a nice way for people and their pets to get together." Last year's judges was television and Broadway Star Tom Wopat. Wopat is best known for his Tony-nominated role as Frank Butler in the Broadway production of "Annie Get Your Gun" and as Luke Duke from the hit television series, "Dukes of Hazzard."