Splash! Portland’s largest annual dog wash is big fun

Portland is widely known for many things, and topping the list is fantastic beer and great dogs. The community will celebrate both perennial favorites at the 20th annual Dogtoberfest fundraising event, hosted by DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in partnership with Lucky Labrador Brew Pub.  Saturday, Sept. 20, more than 150 volunteers will converge at Lucky Lab at 915 SE Hawthorne to wash and dry upwards of 500 dirty dogs.  The surrounding blocks are closed to traffic, making for a great day-long street fair, complete with good suds, live music and unique items — such as the unveiling of the 2015 DoveLewis commemorative calendar. 

The event benefits the DoveLewis Blood Bank, one of the nation’s largest all-volunteer programs of its kind.  More than 100 canine and feline blood donors, called “Superheroes,” provide enough blood annually to enable the program to deliver more than 400 life-saving transfusions each year. 

Piper Leftwich, a lucky Lab herself, needed blood transfusions after undergoing emergency surgery for gastric dilatation volvulus (aka “bloat”).  Blood donations from Superhero Diamond Bartel made all the difference in Piper’s story.  “If it hadn’t been for the DoveLewis Blood Bank, my dog Piper would have died,” said Megan Leftwich.  “I cannot thank DoveLewis enough, and Diamond Bartel, of course, for sending Piper home to resume her happy life.” 

“Dogtoberfest is a great opportunity to have fun, get your dog washed, and learn about how you can help DoveLewis save lives,” says DoveLewis Blood Bank Program Director, Jill Greene.  “All too often, injured or sick animals require blood transfusions as part of their treatment.  Without the participation of canine blood donors and support from the community at Dogtoberfest, animals in need might not receive critical transfusions in time.” 

To learn more about Dogtoberfest, the DoveLewis Blood Bank, or your dog can become a Superhero, visit dovelewis.org.