- November 26, 2024
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After Debbie Scudder raised three children who left the nest, she knew she needed to fill her home with furry love.
The Ormond Beach resident attended the fourth-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk held by Sophie’s Circle, a local dog rescue nonprofit, on Sunday, Feb. 24.
As the sun set at Fortunato Park, Scudder walked around with Faith, one of her six rescue dogs.
“I love rescues because they need us,” she said.
Volunteers passed out glow sticks to about 200 guests and their four-legged friends before the group made the trek over the Granada Bridge to remember and honor dogs no longer with them.
Jennifer Popowich, a board member with Sophie’s Circle, said this is the first year the walk was held after sunset with glow sticks to emphasize the colorful rainbow bridges for dog heaven.
“We didn’t really want it to be something sad,” she said. “We wanted it to be something to celebrate them and remember their pets, and to bring awareness to rescues.”
Before the event, guests were able to submit for the memory wall photos of their dogs that have died. The wall was displayed at the event with lights and flowers underneath a rainbow balloon arch.
At her Palm Coast home, Popowich has three rescue dogs, one of which from Sophie’s Circle.
“One day I was at PetSmart, and there was a rescue group set up, and I ended up fostering a dog,” she said. “And then it just led to giving more and more.”
Money raised at the event will benefit Sophie’s Circle through vet bills, training, rescuing dogs and more.