Doggy Egg Hunt Puts Unique Spin on Holiday Tradition
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: April 14, 2012
MORTON--Dogs are on a mission to collect Easter eggs, but owners like Stacy Null say, their hard work means more than just the treat inside.
"I was talking to some people at work and told them about the Easter egg hunt and they're like, 'Shouldn't that have been last weekend?'" Null laughs.
Null and her family brought their German Shepard Lab mix "Dolly" to Morton Dog Park for the annual "Doggy Easter Egg Hunt."
"We thought we'd come out and try it and the kids really like the egg hunts and that."
It's hosted by animal lover Bill Hantak and his wife.
"We do it after Easter so that we're not competing with all the egg hunts for kids because we figure the kids might win out over the dogs," explained Hantak. "This way dogs have their own special day and the kids can come too."
That's exactly what children like Allison Werries did.
She's here with her grandparents and their dog Toby.
"The grandkids like to come and pick up the Easter eggs and see the other dogs," said her grandpa Brian McFeeters.
While she took part in several activities, her favorite part of the day is no surprise.
"Picking up the eggs," said Werries.
But the little one admits, when it came to hunting with Toby, she had to do most of the work.
While some pooches even got sidetracked in the search for colorful prizes, all proceeds from the event will be given to help "Foster Pet Outreach."
It's a non-profit organization that cares for stray animals until they find permanent homes.
"We're raising funds for them so they can feed the pets that they're fostering and make sure they're taken care of," said Hantak.
"Organizers hope to raise $1,500 from the event.
This is the fifth year for the Doggy Easter Egg Hunt.
Foster Pet Outreach accepts donations year round.
It's made up entirely of volunteers.
"I was talking to some people at work and told them about the Easter egg hunt and they're like, 'Shouldn't that have been last weekend?'" Null laughs.
Null and her family brought their German Shepard Lab mix "Dolly" to Morton Dog Park for the annual "Doggy Easter Egg Hunt."
"We thought we'd come out and try it and the kids really like the egg hunts and that."
It's hosted by animal lover Bill Hantak and his wife.
"We do it after Easter so that we're not competing with all the egg hunts for kids because we figure the kids might win out over the dogs," explained Hantak. "This way dogs have their own special day and the kids can come too."
That's exactly what children like Allison Werries did.
She's here with her grandparents and their dog Toby.
"The grandkids like to come and pick up the Easter eggs and see the other dogs," said her grandpa Brian McFeeters.
While she took part in several activities, her favorite part of the day is no surprise.
"Picking up the eggs," said Werries.
But the little one admits, when it came to hunting with Toby, she had to do most of the work.
While some pooches even got sidetracked in the search for colorful prizes, all proceeds from the event will be given to help "Foster Pet Outreach."
It's a non-profit organization that cares for stray animals until they find permanent homes.
"We're raising funds for them so they can feed the pets that they're fostering and make sure they're taken care of," said Hantak.
"Organizers hope to raise $1,500 from the event.
This is the fifth year for the Doggy Easter Egg Hunt.
Foster Pet Outreach accepts donations year round.
It's made up entirely of volunteers.
