Ruff, Woof & Bark Party benefits War Dogs Association

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Rottweilers Brandy (left) and Sasha enjoy hamburgers and potato salad, made with potatoes, yogurt and bacon, at the Ruff, Woof & Bark Party at Bark 'N' Town in Ingleside. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Operation Military Care K-9

The United States War Dogs Association accepts both monetary and in-kind donations for both dogs and their handlers. Among the tangible items needed for war dogs are cooling vests, K-9 boots, K-9 Doggles (dog goggles), Kong 3-inch rubber balls, large rope chews, K-9 nail clippers, K-9 toothpaste and toothbrushes, K-9 eye drops, K-9 ear wash, Advantix flea and tick preventative, dog biscuits and K-9 jerky treats.

Visit www.uswardogs.org to donate and to find out more about the organization and its needs. Donations may also be mailed to: U.S. War Dogs Association, Inc., 1313 Mt. Holly Road, Burlington, NJ 08016.

The United States War Dogs Association president, Ronald L. Aiello, may be reached at (609) 747-9340 or (609) 234-4539, or send him a message at ronaiello@uswardogs.org.

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Updated: July 29, 2011 12:25AM

INGLESIDE — Under a large American flag and patriotic decorations, they enjoyed goodies including hamburgers and potato salad with bacon. They played Frisbee outdoors and enjoyed nature walks in the lush countryside. Sounds like a nice Memorial weekend event anyone would enjoy, doesn’t it?

The thing is, at this picnic on Saturday, the guests were dogs, only dogs. Among them were two Rottweilers, a beagle, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a dachshund, a beagle and a couple of Labrador retrievers.

Dog owners paid a fee to the sponsors of the program — Bark ’N’ Town Pet Resort and Day Spa at 27607 W. Brandenburg Road — for their pets to participate in the Ruff, Woof & Bark Party. A portion of the proceeds went to help The United States War Dogs Association — honoring our nation’s war dogs and their handlers. Decorated cans were also set up inside the facility for anyone to drop in a dollar or two.

While Bark ’N’ Town owners Brian and Beverly Linning of Wauconda have monthly parities for pooches, this was the first time they raised funds for the war dogs.

“I think it’s fabulous that they’re doing this,” said longtime customer Kristin Albrecht of Round Lake, the owner of Rottweilers’ Sasha and Brandy. “I have nothing but respect for our military and the war dogs. They are so loyal — they just follow their masters, not knowing what will happen. It’s great that Brian and Beverly are recognizing them. It shows how much they care about the animals.”

As their 10-year-old son, Noah, helped his dad get the grill fired up to barbecue burgers for the canine guests, staff began with activities for them.

“We are doing this (fund-raiser) because those dogs need help, and I don’t think they get enough recognition,” said Brian.

Beverly chimed in, “And it just brings their cause to the forefront,” she said. “I found that one (military) dog was known to have saved thousands of lives.”

The nonprofit United States War Dogs Association was started by Vietnam veteran Ronald Aiello, who, while enlisted, was the handler of war dog Stormy.

Besides helping current military dogs, the goal of the organization is to honor the service and sacrifice of the dogs, educate the public, and establish a permanent war dog memorial.

The organization quotes Gen. David H. Petraeus saying, “The capability the Military War Dogs bring to the fight cannot be replicated by men and machines. By all measures of performance their yield outperforms any asset we have in our inventory.”

The War Dog Association notes there are 700 service dogs protecting American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They do everything from guarding posts and facilities, tracking the enemy and bomb detection to combat defense.

In the Middle East, the dogs face a vicious climate that can reach temperatures over 120 degrees. The rugged terrain wreaks havoc on their eyes from blowing sand, and their paws endure walking on rocks and hot sand. Yet these canines keep going, their loyalty an unquestionable strength in the process of war.

Operation Military Care K-9 seeks donations to the organization which would help in providing goggles to protect their eyes, cooling vests to help them function properly, and boots to help protect their paws. Special leads and harnesses are also needed to aid them in performing with their handlers.

“We wanted to give back to the community and find a way to tie in the military to this event, so the War Dog Association was perfect,” said Brian. “I’m glad we can put a spotlight on them.”

Bark ’N’ Town plans to be in the Wauconda Memorial Day parade today at 10 a.m.

“It’s known as the largest parade in Lake and McHenry counties,” said Brian.

Staff from the business will walk the parade route, as well as ride in one of the company vehicles.

“We’ll be passing out bone-shaped candy for people, too,” he said.

For more information about Bark ’N’ Town’s pet programs, lodging or grooming, call (815) 759-2275 or visit www.BarkNTown.com.