A glance out the window at a cold and rainy landscape Sunday may have dampened the idea of taking the dog for a walk for a lot of people but there were some more determined than ever to brave the blowing rain. Of course, they were motivated by a great cause – the Paws For A Cause walkathon for pets and people.

The event, benefiting the Centegra Gaver’s Breast Cancer Center and Breast Care Fund, started from Horse Fair Park in Spring Grove. Dorothy Vetrovec, of Spring Grove based Nature’s Feed and a coordinator of the event, said there were approximately 70 walkers that pre-registered for the walkathon. Of those, only about six didn’t show up. Of course, that didn’t necessarily mean the weather kept them away.

Vetrovec said that 27 walkers registered at the event.

“Despite the weather, it was great,” she said of the event. “We raised $5,660. It was definitely a success.”

Last year, the first year for the event in Spring Grove, they raised about $3,000.

Vetrovec didn’t have an exact count on the number of dogs walking. Some people walked without a dog. Others walked with more than one of their family pets. There were even groups of rescue dogs taking part in the walk. Still, Vetrovec said the cold and the rain probably did have an effect on the turnout.

“If the weather was nicer, we probably would have had more walkup registrations,” she said.

The goal was to double the amount raised compared to last year. Though the weather may have kept them just short of that goal, Vetrovec said that’s now the goal for next year – two times $5,660.

Along with groups of rescue dogs, and including rescue dogs, was a group from Aldens Kennels in Ringwood. That group of 10 walkers with dogs, including two dogs from Lucky Dog Rescue and six students taking dog training lessons at Aldens, was led by the kennel’s own celebrity K9 – Bambi.

Bambi, an extremely photogenic black-and-white Pomeranian, also led dogs from Aldens last year. For the second year in a row, Bambi was a leader in raising money for the cause. This year, he even donated motorcycle rentals from McHenry Harley Davidson to a raffle to raise money for the event.

Last year, Bambi raised more than $500. This year, he raised $302 in pledges, $340 for a 3-Day Harley rental, and another $140 from a 1-Day Harley rental and three Harley shirts.

“He’s a small dog with a great-big heart,” said Al Domrase, the owner of Aldens Kennels and the walker who accompanied Bambi in the Walkathon.