QC Dogwalkers: QC Dogwalkers Group....the Innovator!!! (in a nutshell)

Writing up an essay on "How We Started", does not really start plain and simple. While every minute detail is attempted to be accounted for, memory limitations constrain the writing thereof to a mere rough and synoptic description of the group's evolution.

It was sometime in November, 2006, when a guy named Francis (Poohkies in DTO), conceptualized a concerted dogwalk activity. Conjecturally, on my part, though, he may initially have visualized that a group dogwalk would elicit more fun, as against one that is conducted solitarily. Other beneficial purpose/s were at that time still vague, if at all.

It all started with a single post by Poohkies in DTO, suggesting and inviting interested dog lovers to join and converge for purposes of one principal activity-------dog walking. This invitation was seconded and concurred in by another great guy named, Art (rav7118 in DTO). The essence of a group dogwalk caught the attention of this poster (D'Jervincis Top K9s), who at that time was likewise in search of more meaningful and worthwhile dog activities for his kids.

It was upon the enlistment of Dimple (Gravy), as the fourth interested party, that everything else was spearheaded and concretized. Organization, planning, drafting of initial rules and regulations to govern such activity saw action. And, of course, there is Mark (marktj), who, borne with enthusiasm and determination to have the concept materialize, lost no time teaming up with Gravy to finalize the guidelines of the dogwalk and giving suggestions that would, more or less, ensure its organized and orderly inaugural lift-off. Time was then....... in counting.

The first actual dogwalk was eventually calendared, marking its maiden launch on 10th December 2006, at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, with a handful of attendees, i.e., Francis (Poohkies), Art (rav7118) with daughter Bree, Dimple (Gravy) with son,-Darrel, Mark (marktj) with son,-Sean, Mariel (sidekick), Roy, Dodie's (D'Jervincis Top K9s) kids (Gew, Kevin, Francis & DJ), et.al. (my apologies to those whose names were omitted; the omission is inadvertent)

No historical account can completely be written for this group without mention of the real celebrities, --- no less than our beloved poochs. After all, whatever it is, the activities and this webpage do exist for them. The main characters who made it to the pioneering walk, escorted by their respective masters, include:

1. "Ross" (Labrador) - Poohkies;
2. "Apollo" (Basset Hound) - Gravy & Darrel;
3. "Fluffy" (Golden Retriever) - rav7118;
4. "Grip" (German Shepherd) - marktj;
5. "Kimchi" (Beagle) - sidekick;
6. "Kramer" (Chow) - Roy;
7. "Trouble" (Dalmatian) - Gew (D'Jervincis Top K9s);
8. "Mollie" (Basset Hound) - Kevin (D'Jervincis Top K9s);
9. "Keanna" (Pug) - Francis & DJ (D'Jervincis Top K9s).

Subsequent dogwalks and other bigger activites (including hikes, out-of-town trips & other dog-oriented & welfare causes) became regular. A Christmas party was organized and held on 30th December 2006, at the place of selected interim group leader, Gravy. To inject more substance, the X'mas party was even highlighted by a talk of a professional dog trainer from Philippine Dog School.

This innovative endeavor did not end in Quezon City, as dog lovers from diverse localities soon became inspired and started their own versions of the same.

Hence, ............QC DOGWALKERS GROUP.............