HUSKIES STAND UP FOR HUSKIES2010-07-12

Yesterday morning, 16 Huskie athletes came out to support their fellow Huskies at the Paws-In-Motion Walk-A-Thon at South Kiwanis Memorial Park.

On a beautiful Sunday morning, huskie athletes from football, men's soccer, and women's basketball, got the opportunity to hang out and play with 14 Huskie dogs from the SPCA that were recently rescued from an alleged puppy-mill. The 16 Huskie athletes that participated in the walk were:

Football - Dathan Thomas, Laurence Nixon, Keenan MacDougall, Rylund Hunter, Harley Irwin, Patrick Neufeld, Zachary Hart, Braeden George, Ben Coakwell, Stephen Kovach, Luke Thiel

Men's Soccer: Myles Shedden, Eoin McFadden

Women's Basketball: Brittany Bodnar, Lauren Whyte, Trisha Carriere

Brittany Bodnar, a third year member of the women's basketball team, said "I feel so lucky to be out here this morning.  It is such a great opportunity for us as athletes to be a part of this event and to help raise awareness in the community about these Huskies."  Bodnar, along with the 17 other athletes in attendance, were ecstatic to meet the Huskies and to provide them with exercise and affection, "these dogs are adorable and they deserve to have a loving home.  I hope by being here today, we can help them find that home."

The Huskie athletes spent the first hour meeting the Huskie dogs, learning about their background, and getting familiar with the proper way to handle and interact with the dogs while out on the walk.  Laurence Nixon, quarterback of the football team, explained "these are strong dogs, in more ways than one.  This is a great chance for us to help out by giving them exercise and showing them the love and affection they deserve."

Bystanders would've laughed to see Nixon, and 9 other strong Huskie football players, getting pulled and yanked around while walking the 4 km course around the river.  Nixon laughed, "they are a strong breed.  We could definitely learn a thing or two from them.  I think this morning gave us even more pride to wear Huskies across our chest.  It is inspirational for us to know what they've gone through and to see them today putting their trust in us."

By the end of the morning, the athletes had fallen in love with their Huskie friends and had trouble saying goodbye.  Eoin McFadden, a star midfield with the men's soccer team, said "I've always wanted a Huskie.  I would love to adopt one if I could, I think any athlete would.  I am so happy we got to come out here today and stand up for our Huskie friends to help them find a home."

The Huskies would like to give a big thank you to the SPCA and Paws-In-Motion for giving our athletes the opportunity to be a part of such an important event and cause.  Also, thank you to Dave Dube, major supporter of Huskie Athletics, for identifying the opportunity and helping organize.

For more information on how to adopt a Huskie please contact:

Tricia McAuley
The Saskatoon SPCA
Spokeswoman
306-374-7387
fundraising@saskatoonspca.com
www.saskatoonspca.com