Get ready for the ultimate fall outing with your furry friends at Miles for Mutts, our annual 5K run and 1-mile fun walk on Sunday October 20th, 2024 at 8am.

Miles for Mutts is dog-friendly and family-friendly! The 5K run will have you racing alongside fellow dog enthusiasts, while the 1-mile walk allows families and their pups to enjoy a beautiful fall day at a more relaxed pace. This event is a perfect chance to bond with your family, get the kids involved by encouraging them to walk or run alongside you, meet new neighbors - all while sharing in the excitement of being outdoors and supporting a great cause.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the run! We’ll have adoptable dogs for you to meet - or “rent” to walk with, a Halloween costume contest for the dogs, vendor tables from our amazing sponsors, TLC merch, free giveaways, and crafts and activities for all ages! So gather your family, rally your neighbors, and mark your calendars for Miles for Mutts—let’s make this fall event one for the books, all while supporting our mission to help dogs in need!

We are so excited to see everyone at Wilson Farm Park in Wayne for this great event!

To quote the volunteer featured in this month’s spotlight, “a little volunteering can make a big difference in a dog’s life.”

Becky Miles joined TLC a little over a year ago but has jumped right in with both feet. She ‘s currently on her 12th foster and doesn’t have plans to stop any time soon. She gets her fosters seen by attending Meet and Greets, and she takes them to meet her mother, who is currently in assisted living. Taking her fosters to see her mother prompted Becky to work with other assisted living facilities to help arrange TLC visits with their residents. She says that bringing puppies to visit puts “big smiles on so many faces.”

When looking to adopt, Becky researched rescues but ultimately chose TLC because of the “mission, the success, and the love for all dogs.” She finally found her own furbaby, Darla, after going to some TLC Meet and Greets. That’s also when she decided she wanted to be a part of our rescue and make a difference in the lives of other dogs.

Beyond fostering, Becky is on the Miles For Mutts committee. She’ll be the one helping you to navigate to the starting line on the day of the event. It’s her second time working on Miles 4 Months and loves that this event brings people and their dogs out for a fun day, all while raising money to help dogs in need.

When she’s not helping with TLC, Becky loves spending time with her husband of 26 years, Joe, and hanging out with family and friends. She also enjoys vacationing in Mexico and doing projects around the home, shopping, and planning the annual family Christmas photo with Santa.

Becky was surprised when we told her she was going to be this month’s spotlighted volunteer. She said, “there are so may volunteers that do so much more!” She seems to feel that she doesn’t do much. But we know better! To each of the dogs she’s fostered and to each senior who has been given the chance to spend time with a puppy – what she’s done is everything.

These Dogs are Seeking a family to do all the fall activities with!

The days are getting shorter, and you can start to feel that crispness in the air, which are all indications that fall is here and that means our favorite fall activities are here as well!

if you are looking for a dog to add to your fall activity entourage, then look no further!

Sometimes pups get just as excited about fall as the rest of us, and they have more energy once the fall weather arrives. Mystical would love to join you on all your outdoor fall activities like going on a hike, a long walk in a local park, or taking a stroll  around your neighborhood to experience the fall foliage. Mystical is your go to girl for all the fall feels!

Apple picking is one of the ultimate fall activities and Rigby is excited to help you pick the perfect apples for a home-made apple pie (or some tasty dog treats). First, find a dog-friendly apple orchard and go on a fun apple picking adventure with your furry friend.Then once you’ve found a dog-friendly orchard, grab Rigby and his leash and go apple picking. Once you’ve brought home your freshly picked apples, you can make endless scrumptious treats with them, from apple pie,  applesauce, and even cinnamon apple muffins! Dogs love apples too, in moderation (of course)  but be careful not to feed the core or the seeds!

Another favorite fall past time, going to the pumpkin patch! Chip D is ready to celebrate Halloween and the harvest season by accompanying you to a dog friendly pumpkin patch. Chip D can even help sniff out the perfect gourd or pumpkin. Make sure to snap some photos of Chip D posing in the pumpkin patch!

You now have pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and apples from the apple orchard. What is the next thing to do? Bake homemade treats for your furry friend out of the pumpkins and apples! Pumpkin and apples are full of fiber and vitamins that are healthy for your dog, not to mention, very yummy!

Nothing says fall more than a football game! Make the afternoon cheering on team(s) extra special with Cashmere by your side. Have some delicious dog friendly snacks for Cashmere while you and Cashmere show extra team spirit by wearing matching jerseys.

If dressing up is your favorite part of the season, Chelsea is the perfect companion! This sweet girl can rock any Halloween look—from an adorable bumblebee to a spooky horror movie character. Chelsea is all about fun and will get you in the Halloween spirit with her fabulous costumes. Adopt Chelsea and let her help you make every Halloween unforgettable!

Of course our favorite fall activity is our 10th annual Miles for Mutts on Sunday October 20th, 2024 . Our annual 5k and 1-mile fun walk is jam packed with fun from a dog costume contest & prizes for best costume, bake sale, puppy kissing booth, sibling/litter mate meetups, and more. Cosmo would just love to join you as a TLC alum on race day!

Getting The Best Trick or Treat Shots of Your Pup!

To get great photos of your dog at night, make use of ambient light like streetlights, porch lights, or even the moon for a natural glow.

Avoid using your phone’s flash, as it can create harsh shadows and red-eye. Instead, increase the exposure time or use the “night mode” on your phone camera to capture more light.

You can also position your dog near a soft light source to highlight their features. Stabilize your phone by holding it steady or using a tripod to prevent blur in low-light conditions.

A little patience and creativity can lead to stunning nighttime shots!