ARF Executive Director Sara Davison with Board member Polly Bruckman. (Eileen Casey)

East Hampton - The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc. (ARF) held its 18th Annual "Stroll to the Sea" Dog Walk on Saturday, October 15, 2011. This favorite annual event kicked-off with a cocktail party held at the beautiful East Hampton home of Randy Wallace and Donald Smith, drawing ARF Board and Comittee members, volunteers and guests - who all had a barking good time.

The party was held for those who had registered as a "Top Dog," contributing $250, or a "Great Dane," contributing $500 to ARF.

The stroll is intended to promote responsible dog ownership and awareness of ARF, and dog owners at the cocktail party were able to ask a few questions of Dog Trainer Matthew Posnick for sound, professional and good advice on the care and training of our favorite four-footed friends.

On Satuday, the two-mile walk to the ocean ended at the Mulford Farm in the heart of East Hampton Village, owned by the East Hampton Historical Society, but the party began on Friday at the beautifully appointed, art and antique filled home of Wallace and Smith, who threw open their doors and hearts to be sure all guests enjoyed not only the scrumptious food and drink but funny, poignant and revealing tales of dogs and their owners.

All registrants for the stroll were entitled to free micro-chipping for their dogs, and free tee shirts and refreshments including Starbucks Coffee and Dreesen's Famous Donuts. This year's tee shirt featured artwork by designer and personality Isaac Mizrahi. Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl started the walk with the official ribbon cutting, and Sara Davison, Executive Director of ARF announced to Friday's guests that this year ARF has raised more funds than ever, and exceeded all expectations.


The walk concluded with contests, including "Dog/Owner Look Alike," "The Pooch Who Can Smooch," and "Musical Dogs." The first prize for all contest winners was provided by Tiffany & Co. A dog agility course was set up for all to try out, and musician Sandy Rapp performed on guitar. For the second year in a row, a silent auction was featured with many exciting products, services and experiences for owners and pets. The prizes for top fundraisers included two round trip tickets to London on British Airways, an 8 x 10 original acrylic portrait of your pet by artist Ellen Silverberg, and your pet featured in ARF's 2013 Pet Calendar. The top child prize was a brand new bicycle from Bermuda Bikes. Everyone who collected $250 in pledges or more received a charming pet key fob, courtesy of Coach.

This year's title sponsor was Coach. Inc. Presenting sponsors included East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, The Ocean Group and Starbucks.

Founded in 1974, the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons is the leading animal welfare organization on the East End of Long Island. Each year over 700 cats and dogs are provided food, exercise, a warm place to sleep and excellent veterinary care in a state-of-the-art Adoption Center. Since its inception ARF has found homes for nearly 18,000 dogs and cats, and is dedicated to finding loving homes for precious pets not only to improve their lives but also the lives of the families who adopt them. The ARF Adoption Center is located at 90 Daniels Hole Road in Wainscott, next to the East Hampton Airport, 631-631-537-0400.

Woof, Woof!