By Mary O’KEEFE

For the first time, Glendale Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash and Glendale K-9s in the Park combined their fundraisers. Held at Verdugo Park on Saturday, the events filled the park with duck and dog lovers.

For the seventh year, the Kiwanis organization created Lake Glendale at the park where ducks that had been adopted by supporters raced down the lake the end pond. The fundraiser helps support the Kiwanis many community projects as well as other organizations that help sell duck adoptions.

The non-profits were not the only beneficiaries. Over $13,000 in prize money was distributed to the winning duck adopters. According to organizer Vic Legerton, the big winner of $10,000 was Janet Hamilton. The ducks belonging to Gary Montecuollo – the newly appointed police chief of Glendale Community College – and Jim Isenman each won $1,000 and $500 was won each by Lvallise Ganzon and Glendale Kiwanis president Susie Dell who joked that the club will probably fine her $600 for her duck luck.

In all, 16,830 ducks were adopted at $5 each. The duck buddies – the organizations that sold the adoptions – earned about $21,500 collectively while the Glendale Kiwanis Foundation for community programs brought in around $55,000.

Also at the park were dogs – lots of dogs. The Glendale K-9 unit, which is totally supported by donated funds, hosted an event that allowed the public to witness what the work police dogs do in the field and how well they are trained.

Among the many information booths on display was the Hollywood Dog Obedience Club. Members brought their best behaved dogs to be pet and admired.

Jody Davidson was with Sam, a Mikadobe Doberman Pinscher who was enjoying the loving attention he was receiving.

Davidson said that Sam was a breed champion and a certified therapy pet that volunteers at hospitals.

“He loves children, too,” Davidson added.

Davidson said that all dogs – and their owners – benefit when a dog is trained. The dogs are less skittish in public and owners are able to share the joy that their pet brings.

“Every dog is a better dog with training,” she said.

  Mary Okeefe, robin goldsworthy