WHATELY — It was a dog’s day out at the Quonquont Farm & Orchard in Whately where dogs and their owners brunched at the fifth annual Mutts and Mimosas fundraiser for the Dakin Animal Shelter.
The shelter’s executive director Carmine DiCenso said he expected more than 200 humans and over 60 dogs at Sunday’s event. He brought his own dog, River, who he adopted from the shelter.
The event includes brunch and make your own mimosas for the people, and a gourmet meal for the dogs. There was also a silent auction, a raffle for a year’s worth of wine, a photo booth and combination human and dog reiki.
DiCenso said the event started because the farm owners were supporters of the shelter and the two organizations were able to work together to create the event.
“People love to support Dakin, we have great people helping us, and they love dogs. It was a way to combine them both and in a beautiful setting,” he said.
He added that while the event was going on, they had sent five of the shelter’s workers to New Jersey to help unload and secure a plane of animals rescued from the hurricane aftermath in Puerto Rico.
“The only reason we’re able to send staff to do something like that is because people support what we do,” he said.
Martha Schuette of Amherst has worked in the kitten Intensive Care Unit at the shelter. She brought her friend and her two dogs, Sienna and Josie, to Sunday’s event.
Schuette said that the event was great, and the biggest surprise was how calm and friendly all of the dogs were with each other.
There was little barking and plenty of wagging tails. To keep the furry friends hydrated, water bowls were placed throughout the grounds.
Anne Pinkerton, from Holyoke brought her 1-year-old Corgi, Rhys, to the event. She’s been a volunteer at the shelter in the past and loves attending events to support the shelter.
She said Rhys had the gourmet doggy meal, and was a big fan.
“He would have eaten 17 more of those if he could,” Pinkerton said with a laugh.
Beyond the food, the event offered activities for the dogs and their companions.
Combination dog and human reiki sessions were offered by Karen Spinelli of Hand to Paw Healing and Maureen Suriner. Suriner offered the people reiki, while Spinelli worked with the dogs.
The two said the sessions were very successful there was a positive energy with all of the pairs.
“There’s such a great connection between dog and owner,” Spinelli said.
Reach Miranda Davis at 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or mdavis@recorder.com.