- April 19, 2024
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Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Dana Conway, Sophie's Circle founder and president Kathy Blackman, and Mary Nichols greet participants at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Madeline and Harper Tyser's dog, Nash, sits at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Madeline Tyser and her daughter Harper Tyser attend Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Bella is excited to greet other dogs at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Michele Phillips, Moria and Macy pose for Limarie Photography Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photography at Photo by Michele Meyers
Sue Partington and Lilly pose for Limarie Photography at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Lynn Burk and Lynn J. Betournay man the t-shirt booth at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Nancy Keck plays the guitar and sings with Tie-Dye Road at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mark Chiriboga plays the guitar with Tie-Dye Road at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Tie-Dye Road — Nancy Keck, Judy Bucek and Mark Chiriboga, entertain people at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Harry Cepura and neighbor Lila Swanson chat at Nancy Keck's Seaside Wraps booth at Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Founder of Sophie's Circle Kathy Blackman and her son Mark Blackman. Photo by Michele Meyers
Sunset view from the Granada bridge of Sophie's Circle Rainbow Bridge Walk event at Fortunato Park. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Walkers honor the pets they've lost by walking over the Granada bridge at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
Dana Conway, Sophie's Circle founder and president Kathy Blackman (center) and Mary Nichols greet participants at Sophie's Circle seventh-annual Rainbow Bridge Walk. Photo by Michele Meyers
It started with one dog.
Her name was Sophie, a husky quarantined at the Southeast Volusia Humane Society and slated to be euthanized the following day. Kathy Blackman walked in to the shelter determined to provide them with healthy pet food, and walked out with Sophie. In 2008, aware of the dire situation faced by many animals, she founded the Sophie’s Circle dog rescue.
Stepdaughter Madeline Tyser remembers when she was a senior in high school and the nonprofit was just getting started. Blackman was running the business out of her house with a couple of volunteers. Tyser would model her t-shirts.
“It’s so cool to see how it’s grown,” she said. “It’s a known name in the community. Everyone knows what Sophie’s Circle is and what is does. It’s really special.”
The annual Rainbow Bridge Walk is one of many events held to support the nonprofit organization in their efforts to help homeless and abused animals. Vendors, volunteers and musicians all participate knowing that their efforts and proceeds go entirely to the rescue.
“It’s so cool to see how it’s grown. It’s a known name in the community. Everyone knows what Sophie’s Circle is and what is does. It’s really special.”
Madeline Tyser
A total of 25 vendors and approximately 300 supporters attended the seventh-annual event. Blackman said this had been the most successful yet with 10 sponsors and $9,500 raised.
“The feedback has been great,” Blackman said.
Professional photographer Lisa Waldman set up a cloud-like backdrop at the event and invited attendees to get their portraits taken with their pets. She did not start rescuing until she got involved with Sophie's Circle, and now has two dogs from the nonprofit.
“I do a lot of the photos for their website because they are foster-based and don’t have a shelter to go to,” she said. “I love it. It’s for a good cause.”
Harry Cepura was manning his neighbor Nancy Keck’s Seaside Wraps booth while she sang and played guitar with the band, Tie-Dye Road. He was there to participate in the Granada bridge walk to honor his deceased dogs.
“My wife and I are walking with our sheltie Murphy,” said Cepura, teary-eyed. “We are walking for Alfie and Molly, our two shelties we lost last year. They were 16 years old.”
