Dogs pull kegs in Sunriver to raise money for charity

Dogs stole the spotlight Saturday in Sunriver. The Sunriver Brewing Company and the American Cancer Society Bark for Life hosted the third annual K-9 Keg Pull. One of the organizers, Lauren Olander, said it’s a perfect combination.

“It is a great opportunity for the community to come out and combine two things that are totally Central Oregon: beer and dogs,” she said.

The entry fee is $10, and all proceeds go to Bark for Life. Olander said the event has been growing every year. Last year 60 dogs competed; this year, they doubled that number.

Ryan Duley, director of sales and marketing for Sunriver Brewing Company, said they had something special planned for the occasion.

“We brewed a special beer for today, which is great,” he said. “This is our first year brewing a specialty beer for this event. It’s our Keg Pull Porter.”

Race winners are awarded medals and prizes. We talked to the handler of Penny, a two-time winner, about the secret to success.

“We’ve been practicing having her pull a big box of stuff,” Jerry Hubbard said. “So we’re looking forward to winning again, so we’ll be a three-time winner.”

Organizers planned on capping it at 100 participants, but ended up letting 121 dogs compete, raising $1,300.

Olander told us this year’s success means there will definitely be a fourth K-9 Keg Pull.

If you want to donate to the American Cancer Society, go to www.cancer.org.