- Dozens of dogs lined up in Bethlehem's Monocacy Park on Sunday to help Krista Saunders celebrate the 80th birthday of her mother, Sharon Williams
- Williams suffers from Alzheimer's disease; while she has lost many things as the illness has progressed, her love of animals remains as strong as ever, her family says
- Strangers and friends alike showed up to help reach their 80-pup goal
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Earlier this month, Krista Saunders started circulating a flier with an unusual request: 80 dogs for her mother to pet in Monocacy Park on Sunday, in celebration of her 80th birthday.
Her mother, Sharon Williams, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a few years prior, the flier said, and the disease has taken a lot from her.
But for all of its brutalities, Alzheimer's could not take her love of animals.
“I love dogs, looking at them and watching them do things — and their kisses,” Williams said Sunday.
When Saunders saw a social media post about a year ago advertising a similar event in California, she knew it would be a fitting celebration for her mother.
“One of the things that brings her the most joy are dogs, and so I thought that would be perfect,” she said.
She shared her plans and an invitation with friends, fellow dog owners and on social media. Word quickly spread.
Still, Saunders knew her 80-dog goal was “ambitious,” and she didn’t quite expect to meet it. “80 is a lot,” she said.
But come Sunday afternoon, as Williams sat under a tent between the dog park and skating rink in Monocacy Park with Saunders at her side, dozens of people lined up with dogs of every shape and size.
Some of them knew Sharon, Krista and their family; some had seen social media posts about the event and wanted to lend a hand (and paw).
Others, like Lutz Parr of Bethlehem Township, were simply on their way to the nearby dog park and happened upon the activity.
“I was in my truck and I wasn't going to get out. I didn't want to disturb anybody or bother anybody or whatever was going on,” Parr said, until he learned what the occasion was. “She told me her mother has Alzheimer's. I was like, ‘By all means, I need to help.’"
“I think it's absolutely freaking wonderful. Absolutely wonderful,” he said, holding back tears.
As each dog processed before her, a beaming Williams asked their names, gave them some love and thanked many of them for coming to join her.
For their contributions, Krista's family gave each pup party favors: treats and a Halloween-themed bandana.
“She told me her mother has Alzheimer's. I was like, ‘By all means, I need to help.’ I think it's absolutely freaking wonderful."Lutz Parr, Bethlehem Township
After about an hour, the line of dogs began to shrink, and Saunders went back through photos she took of every dog to count how many had wished her mother a happy birthday.
By the time the line dissipated, Williams had petted 78 dogs.
With the goal well within grasp, some of the attendees started making calls to track down two more pups. Another couple, basically strangers to Williams and Saunders, fanned out in a parking lot up the hill from the dog park.
They found Ron and Susan Myer, preparing to walk their two dogs, Buddy and Lucy, who were happy to oblige.
“That we met the goal is honestly more than I could have hoped,” Saunders said. “It’s been a tough couple of years, so to see her have so much joy” was “heartwarming to see.”
Earlier in the day, she said, her mother told her she would have been happy to pet just one dog.
“I just am so thankful for the community, nice people wanting to do good things because the world is so crappy, and so the fact that you can do something sweet and people want to come out and don’t even know you is really heartwarming.” she said.
“That’s what community is all about.”
