Jane Bartels with Gracie [Photo: Kaila Jones]

The day dawned cool, crisp and sunny – ideal conditions for the recent 10th annual Sea Oaks Dog Walk. Forty-one pooches and their humans gathered on the Sea Oaks Club patio to share early-morning greetings and delicious pre-walk treats – dog and human varieties – before strolling along the lovely community’s oak-shaded, winding roads.

The event, a popular annual fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, was started by a small group of Sea Oaks dog-lovers, including organizer Joan Patota and the late Joyce Carlson.

Over the years, the walk has raised thousands for shelter dogs, from $700 the first year to $3,000 last year.

Patota said this year broke attendance and fundraising efforts, boasting 41 pooches and raising $3,500.