Dogs and their owners participate in last year's inaugural Bark for Life. This year's event will be held May 22 at Zelienople Community Park. The proceeds will count toward the total of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which will be held July 17 and 18.

ZELIENOPLE — By sheer chance last year, Laura Siegel stumbled upon the American Cancer Society's inaugural Bark for Life canine walk event to fund cancer research.

Siegel of Fombell, Beaver County, just outside Zelienople, usually went to the Giant Eagle supermarket in Ellwood City. But that day, she decided to go to the Bi-Lo supermarket in North Gate Plaza in Jackson Township, where an informational table was set up about the first Bark for Life registrations.

Siegel is a colon cancer survivor and owner of a 13-year-old Golden Retriever named Dude.

"They told me about it (Bark for Life), and I thought it was perfect. I'm a cancer survivor, and I have a dog that I love," said Siegel, who registered for the event.

The American Cancer Society's Bark for Life is a noncompetitive walk for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

This is the second year for the event at Zelienople Community Park. It is scheduled for May 22.

Siegel said she really enjoyed the event and the many people who came out with their dogs to fund a cure for cancer.

"It was very touching for me to see this many people, who you personally don't know, care about finding a cure," she said.

Siegel's dog was honored with the event's first Top Dog honor going to the pooch that garners the most donations from pledges.

The honor got Dude a ride in Zelienople's annual Fourth of July parade in his own convertible.

Siegel handed out candy bones as a thank you to children during the parade and added it was "a lot of fun."

Dude is the cover dog for this year's Bark for Life event brochure and other promotional materials.

He will be back this year working to defend his title, although his owner admits age is starting to catch up with her 13-year-old retriever.

"I might have to ride him in a wagon," she joked.

Jodie Mohnkern, Bark for Life event organizer, said last year, 89 dogs were enrolled to participate and about $6,000 was raised.

This year, the goal is to get to at least 100 dogs and raise $8,000.

Food donations also will be accepted for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.Those coming to the event are asked to take a "birthday present" of canned food for the dogs at the shelter and help brighten the day of a homeless dog.The Bark for Life is a companion event with the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life held in Cranberry Township.The money raised at the Bark for Life is included in the annual Relay For Life event total.This year's Relay for Life is scheduled for July 17 to 18 at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Township.The opening ceremony/lap is at 10 a.m. Survivor/caregiver activities are held throughout the day, including a lunch at noon and an evening open house.The luminaria ceremony takes place at dusk.Mohnkern said the event is being called "The Biggest Birthday Celebration Ever" since the American Cancer Society is the "Official Sponsor Of Birthdays."The public is welcome and doesn't need a team to attend."It's a carnival atmosphere with entertainment, games, food, fundraising, raffles and lots more fun for the whole family. It's about a community taking up the fight," Mohnkern said.In 2009, the Relay for Life raised $106,342 and was 59th out of 221 in Pennsylvania relays and 17th out of 59 in Western Pennsylvania relays.This year's goal is to raise $119,000.For more information on the American Cancer Society's Cranberry Relay for Life event, visit www.relayforlife.org/pacranberry.

<B>WHAT: American Cancer Society's Bark For Life, which includes a 1-mile dog walk, activities, raffles, food, music and games.<B>WHEN: May 22. Registration is 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m.<B>WHERE: Zelienople Community Park on East Beaver StreetCOST: Donation is $15 per dog for cancer survivors and $20 for other participants if preregistered before Friday. Donation is $25 after Friday and up to event-day registration. Additional dog donation is $15.<B>INFO: Visit the website at www.relayforlife.org/barkpacranberry or e-mail at: barkforlife@embarqmail.com or call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

Dude, the 13-year-old Golden Retriever was named Top Dog at last year's Bark for Life.