WEST MILFORD To honor dog owners who have adopted or rescued their canine pets, is this year’s theme for the West Milford Animal Shelter’s annual Walk-A-Dog-Athon to be held on Sunday, October 21, 2007 (rain date October 28) at Wawayanda State Park on Warwick Turnpike in Hewitt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As usual, every dog coming to the event will receive a free bandana and goodie bag. This year any dog that was in need of a home and was adopted or rescued will also receive a special ribbon to honor them and their owners. The ribbons were designed by Roberta and Ardeth Wurdemann with the assistance of shelter volunteer Glory Bracken. They wanted to honor the people who have adopted or rescued a homeless pet and to raise awareness about the vast number of pets that are without a home or family. Roberta recently adopted a large yellow dog she named Stella Bella Donna from the shelter. The ribbons are chartreuse green and will be attached to the free bandana. The expression “the wearing of the green” will have a whole new meaning. Their owners can also win some green or gifts. Four prizes will be awarded to the participants that raise the four highest donation amounts. All participants are eligible to win one of four prizes by sponsoring themselves, obtaining sponsors or collecting donations. Enter alone, as a family, a group or business; either way the four highest totals presented at the walk will win. The prizes are: Grand Prize: $500; First Prize: $400 gift certificate from Ortolani Jewelers in Franklin; Second Prize: $300 gift certificate from ShopRite Supermarket in West Milford; Third Prize: gift certificate for two tickets to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. Prizes and ribbons will also be awarded in five fun contests. The contests are: Best Dressed (dog and owner), Smallest and Largest by size, Best Trick, Best Behaved (basic commands) and Pucker-up (best kisser). Contests will start at 1 p.m. and registration is free. The shelter is maintained and managed by a completely volunteer staff. Therefore all donations will directly support the over 1,000 homeless animals that arrive at the shelter annually. The volunteers care for these animals 365 days a year. The shelter has also been featured nationally in the ASPCA’s publication, Animal Watch and Cat Fancy Magazine. Join Roberta, Ardeth and Stella for a leisurely walk in the park. Actually, come with or without your dog and enjoy the day. Refreshments will be provided for both dogs and owners.