Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
Photo by Madison Bierl
So they brought Mittens, a cavalier poodle, and Jesse, a bichon poodle, with them to the Green at University Town Center Feb. 10 for their first Barks and Brews, the monthly fundraiser for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
In February, of course, the theme was Valentine's Day.Â
Sarasota's K Naran and Lyndie Naran, who have been married for 12 years, regularly bring their Australian labradoodles, Coco and Zoey, to Barks and Brews. They enjoy supporting Nate's and also find joy in dressing their dogs up based on the theme.
With the Valentine's Day theme, they dressed Coco and Zoey using bows and heart-patterned bandanas. They say Valentine's Day is always a great time for flowers and chocolate.
"Try to make it special every year and don't ever take each other for granted," K Naran said.
Samantha Davis, the volunteer coordinator at Nate's Honor, said visiting the shelter is a great way for people to "find their new love interest" whether than means a dog or cat becoming a future family member.Â
"Animals are an amazing way to bring a community together," Davis said. "It's great to see so many dogs out here sharing in the love of Valentine's Day."
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Lakewood Ranch's Zoey, a 10-year-old pitbull, carries a box of Doggie Donuts from Lit's Dog Treats.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Mau Unworth and her daughter Juliet, 1, share smiles with 2-month-old Sweetpea who is available for adoption at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Palmetto's Luna and Mia, mixed breed rescues from Puerto Rico and Alabama, embrace the Valentine's Day theme through pink bows.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Palmetto's Gabriela and Angel Hernandez pose for a photo with their dogs Luna and Mia who are mixed breed rescues from Puerto Rico and Alabama.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Coco and Zoey, Australian labradoodles, are regulars at Barks & Brews. For the Valentine theme they are wearing bows and heart themed bandanas. At the Halloween one they were dressed as skeletons.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's K Naran and Lyndie Naran get the attention of Coco and Zoey, their Australian labradoodles, for a photo. They say Barks & Brews is a great event to support Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center while also getting their own dogs out to socialize.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Chan Suy says Zoey, her 10-year-old pitbull, carries a variety of items around including mail, shopping bags and even carry-out.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Marty, a 10-year-old Corgi, gets a lift from Addie Osmar. Despite only having one eye, Marty still loves going out and spreading love.
Photo by Madison Bierl
David and Val Hague, who have been married for 38 years, are visiting from San Angelo, Texas. David's 72nd birthday is on Valentine's Day and they both think it is important to enjoy time with those you love.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Angela Ruddyy came to Barks & Brews to get kisses and cuddles from puppies and she got just that from 2-month-old Sweetpea who is available for adoption at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Alana Biller, Ana Yavitz, Aubrey Flint and Ryann Young think the puppies, 2-month-old litter mates Sadie and Sweetpea, are adorable.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Pedro Rizzardi, a guitar player in the band Sugar Vibe, enjoys playing events at University Town Center because he can always tell the audience is enjoying the music.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Will Nacar, founder of the band Sugar Vibe, performs at the Valentine's themed Barks & Brews that benefits Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center on Feb. 10.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
