Halloween dog walk in Cedar Rapids answers Mayor’s Challenge

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Halloween dog walk Saturday showed that helping the community isn't just for humans.

Canine Corner and Cats Too owner Glenda Fillenworth said she came up with the event as a way to answer Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett's challenge to help businesses affected by last month's flood.

Fillenworth's cat and dog day care and boarding service was among the businesses threatened by the rising Cedar River. She said she's still unpacking after evacuating her Ellis neighborhood location.

The milelong dog walk down Ellis Boulevard NW aimed to help boost foot - and paw - traffic to businesses such as Fillenworth's.

The walk began at Pierson's Flower Shop and Greenhouse and ended at La Bella Pet Spa, where pets could receive a free nail trim.

Lanette Kelly, 60, of Cedar Rapids, participated in the walk with Demi, her 3-year-old Airedale terrier.

Demi was dressed in her best red leather jacket - 'just like her mom's,” said Kelly, who rides a Harley-Davidson in her own leather jacket.

Kelly said she came out because she's a friend of Fillenworth, and to support more development in the area.

'It would be nice to have more businesses on the west side,” Kelly said.

Kelly also said she hopes for a new dog park in the neighborhood.

Canine Care and Cats Too hosted a dog walk two years ago to raise money for K9COLA, a group that advocates off-leash dog parks in the Cedar Rapids area.

Fillenworth hasn't decided whether the Halloween walk will be an annual event.