When Paws in the Park kicks off, after not having a grand marshal last year and the same marshal the first few years, there’s a new dog in town that will be the star of the show.
Hudson “the railroad puppy” will be the Canine Grand Marshal of the fifth annual Paws in Park fundraiser for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society at Siena Saturday, June 21.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is a non-profit organization that has been providing shelter for animals since 1887. Since the organization relies on donations, fundraisers like Paws in the Park are an important part of their efforts.
“We have two or three galas and fundraisers a year, and they really benefit the organization. This is a way for people to donate that don’t want to get dressed up. They can come with their kids, with or without their dogs, and raise money,” said Nancy Laribee, the marketing and development director for the Hudson Mohawk Humane Society.
“It costs $200 to $250 to care for an animal for an average stay, including shots, food and care. We handle around 6,000 animals a year. It’s a way for people to have fun and come together to support the animals by raising money with their friends or their company,” said Laribee.
This is the first year that the event will have a canine grand marshal. Laribee said Hudson and his owner do a lot in the community, and if things go well, Hudson could be a repeat marshal.
“This is the first time we’ve had canine grand marshal … so it should be fun,” said Laribee.
Hudson is a blue-nosed pit bull with a prosthetic paw. Part of his leg had to be amputated after it became infected from injuries caused by his original owner abusing and neglecting him and two of his siblings. A railroad worker found the puppies on railroad tracks in Albany in 2012.
Hudson’s owner Richard Nash said he and his wife, Rosemarie, were eager to help Hudson from the minute they heard about him. The Nash family also has another rescued pit bull.
“We saw him (Hudson) on the news, and when Mohawk Hudson Humane Society announced they were doing the essay contest, we were one of many chosen to do a meet and greet with one of the dogs to see if we were compatible. So we brought in our dog, and they got along great, like siblings,” said Nash.
The Humane Society and Nash work together on fundraising events, and Nash said he was honored Hudson was asked to be the grand marshal.
“We try to do a lot for the shelter with raising money, and they asked if we wanted Hudson to be grand marshal. That’s quite the honor, so we said yes.”
Hudson and the Nashes do more than just raise money for the charity. Hudson is a registered therapy dog who brings joy to people all over the Capital District.
“Every Monday, we go to Saratoga Bridges, a place for the elderly and people with developmental disabilities. The people there love him, and he brightens their day,” said Nash.
Paws in the Park is adding more activities for kids this year in the hope that people will make it a family event. New to this year are a Kids Zone with Balloon Gal Jenny, JoJo’s Fabulous Faces, Bounce Zee Bounce’s Dora and Spiderman and Albany County Cornell Cooperative 4-H’s Youth Dog Program demonstration. There will also be a game called “Musical Sit,” which is “Musical Chairs” for dogs. There is also a Pet-Parent Look-A Like contest.
Even if you don’t have a pet, you can come out donate to help a good cause.
“People don’t have to have their dogs to come walk. The first year, the winning team walked for a woman who loved her cats, and their shirts were pictures of the woman’s cats. It’s not just to support dogs, it helps to support all the animals at the shelter,” said Laribee.
Hudson has his own Facebook page with a link to help raise money for the walk. By Friday afternoon, June 13, $2,115 had already been donated. For more information or to help donate, you can find Hudson the railroad puppy on Facebook or go to mohawkhumane.org. Paws in the Park takes place Siena College in Loudonville from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.