RJ is a gentle, fun-loving mutt who, not so long ago, was found wandering alone down in North Carolina. A partner group to Kennebunk’s Animal Welfare Society took him in. During the ensuing physical, it was discovered that the poor dog had a major diaphragmatic hernia, causing his internal organs to be disjointed and allowing his colon to encroach upon his heart. It didn’t look good. AWS’s partners didn’t have the resources for the requisite surgery to save RJ, but the Mainers did. RJ got transported up, and, having received his procedure and recovered for a month, he is now up for adoption with a fine prognosis.

The AWS has many, many stories like this one, some even closer to having an unhappy ending before their vets, staff and volunteers stepped in. But medical treatment costs money. Sometimes a lot of it. And the Society is a non-profit whose resources are far from unlimited. Logical conclusion? Fundraisers. Their best and biggest? Strut Your Mutt, a hundreds-strong stroll along Mother’s Beach (263-267 Beach Ave, Kennebunk) on Sunday, September 10, with dogs certainly encouraged. The festivities begin at 9 a.m., with the walk starting at 11 a.m. Register at https://www.crowdrise.com/AWSStrutYourMutt as an individual for $12 or a family (up to two adults and four children) for $25. Don’t wait, because you’ll want plenty of time to gather pledges from family, friends and co-workers. Work hard on it; as of Monday, only 30% of the set fundraising goal of $75,000 had been reached.