Lennox Abell, 5, her parents Logan and Lakesha Abell, and their dog Netalya, make their way along the walk.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Although it was cool outside the morning of Feb. 22, it wasn't too cold to enjoy a morning outdoors with dogs — or for Brett Keyser's pup Zuma to reclaim her first-place title in this year's Satchel's 5th Annual Get Your Mutt Movin' 5K Run and Walk 2025.
"Last year was a little warmer, so she was kind of lagging behind, but this year she was pulling me in," said Keyser, who came in sixth place among humans.
After last year, he was eager to return.
"We had to defend our title," he said.
However, he also wanted to enjoy the experience of the event, held by Satchel's Last Resort.
"It's just a great run, and she loves running, and I love running. It's the only dog race that I know about," he said.
The event supported the organization, a no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary whose mission is to take in animals with nowhere else to go.
It also featured a festival with offerings that included a pet agility course, a photo booth, a "pie-eating" contest with whipped cream-covered frisbees, a pet costume contest, and more.
"This event means so much to Satchel's," said Jill Creevy, the organization's board president. "We are all about community, and this brings together so many people in our community."
Francisco Pinto holds Valentine, a pup belonging to sisters Stephanie and Elizabeth Torres.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kate Johnston and her neice Tovah Johnston, 11, run in the race.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lennox Abell, 5, her parents Logan and Lakesha Abell, and their dog Netalya, make their way along the walk.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Chevera Moor and Debra Honda ("Alaka'i Debra") of Halau Hula 'O Kilakilapilialohaikapu'uwai welcome racers to the finish line.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hunter Carpenter and Heather Catell approach the finish line.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rhett Fledderman, 10 (left), Zuma, the first pup to finish the race, and Brett Keyser, approach the finish line.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bali, a Bengal cat belonging to Laura and Tom Walker, participated in the event. Laura Walker says he walks on a leash like a dog.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tony Funk enjoys the grass with his dog Princess.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Makai, a thirsty pup, receives a drink from Tina Valentiner.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Linda Felix was the winner of the hula hooping competition led by Halau Hula O Kilakilapilialohaikapuuwai.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Georjann Danke, 9, puts glasses on Phoebe.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ashley Logston and her daughter Juliet Logston, 12, participate in a hula session.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Shuggy, a Satchel's rescue, enjoys whipped cream during the pie eating contest provided by Tracy Addison.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Penny gets her Santa Claus costume adjusted by her dad Roger Landry.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Roger Landry and his dog Penny, Sophie Camp of costume contest sponsor Comfort Suites Sarasota, Heiden Riegel and her dog River, Madi Sparks and Ocean Wolf and their dogs Buster and Pepper, and Georjann and Erica Danke and their dog Phoebe.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
