Dogs and their humans will gather together this Saturday in Bangor in support of a pet-friendly domestic violence shelter. It's the second annual BARKK to End the Silence 5k Run, Walk, or Woof!

Last year's event was so amazing! As a dog lover, I was in heaven with all the different breeds. Big dogs, little dogs, purebreds, and mutts all showed up with their humans. And they all got along famously, as if they knew they were there for an important cause.

Currently, there is no domestic abuse shelter in Maine that allows pets. And that forces these families to make some very tough decisions. Too often the pets pay the price when left behind. And it's the fear of that very thing that causes too many women to stay in too long in dangerous situations in order to protect their animals.

Jenny Dwyer, owner of Mutt Nose Best Pet Products, says she knows this all too well. Dwyer told us she stayed too long in an abusive situation because she feared for her dogs. Her abuser went on to kill his next partner before killing himself and Dwyer says she wonders if the woman stayed out of concern for her pets. She knew she had to do something, and so she started the BARKK to End the Silence 5K last year.

If you're interested in getting involved, just log onto the Mutt Nose Best website. Or just show up on the Bangor Waterfront on Saturday! Registration starts at 8:30 and the race begins at 10.

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