Among the thousands of dogs happily straining at the leash next week in the Million Paws Walk will be Maggie the schnauzer – survivor of a puppy factory that was closed down six years ago by RSPCA inspectors. The walk will be something of a social coming out for Maggie, who was all but blind from cataracts when first rescued, and woefully anxious.
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Until the rescue, Maggie had never been walked on a leash, played with toys or experienced much by way of human kindness and affection. She was in such poor shape that she nearly died. Maggie remains a shy animal, but much loved after a long period of rehabilitation and placement in a good family home.
During the Million Paws Walk – the RSPCA's annual event to raise awareness and fight animal cruelty – Maggie will be reunited with four of her grown-up pups.
The walk takes place on Sunday, May 15, at 17 locations across Victoria – including at Albert Park, which is staging dog washes, agility events and dog selfies and a number of barking-mad competitions.
Celebrity judges will name the cutest poet, the best owner lookalike and – messiest of all – the best eater.
Register online at millionpawswalk.com.au/victoria. Walks begin at 10am.
