If your activity level is lagging and the motivation to get off of the couch still escapes you, try striding with a stray.

The Walking Example Group (WE-GO) and the Susquehanna SPCA have partnered to celebrate the fourteen million year (give or take a millennium or two) partnership of dogs and people. The Dog Days of Summer takes place Sunday, August 29 from 1-4 p.m. on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, with their generous cooperation.

Dogs are, in a whole lot of ways, perfect walking companions. Unlike human partners, pups rarely cancel a walking date with some lame excuse.

They usually encourage you to go a little farther, a little faster and they are great incentives if you are inclined to let a little daily activity slide. There's something about those soulful brown eyes, all loving, trusting and anticipating, that makes it awfully hard to say no.

Pooch pals are also great listeners, rarely interrupting or disagreeing with you, and a dog is a terrific vehicle to meet people. My single brother used to swear that the ice-breaking conversations started when walking my Labrador- Bassett mix led to some of his best dates.

The Dog Days of Summer promises a terrific afternoon of mingling with dogs and their big-hearted people, as this summer that never was starts its fade into fall.

You can meet and greet adoptable dogs and get to know your new best friend with the help of an SPCA handler. Take a walk along the trail on the Sports Center grounds and bond a bit with Bowser. If you found your pet at the SPCA, be sure to join the alumni parade. Teresa Konopka offers agility trials for your dog to show its stuff and pet photography is on site, too.

Like any good party, there'll be music (good for howling at the moon,) courtesy of D J Wooden, balloons animals from Gerry the Balloon Man, and food (hot dogs, of course) with all proceeds benefiting WE-GO and the Susquehanna SPCA. All dogs on leashes, please, and Tidy Pup Packs (the other doggy bag) will be available for clean up.

In a summer dogged with rain, come meet a few deserving mutts and unleash a little sunshine at this "feel good" event. For more information or if you would like exhibit space, call 607-547-2893.

Brenda Berstler is the founder of the Walking Example Group (WE-GO) a non-profit organization encouraging walking and walkable communities. Visit their website at www.we-go.org.