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Kayla Krstyen stands with Wiley,a Friends In Need adoption dog, at the starting line of the Friends In Need Stampede benefit run Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, in Eagle Mountain. ANDREW VAN WAGENEN/ Daily Herald

Drew Van Wagenen

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Harley, a Friends In Need adoption dog leads the way for Maria Salinas and her son Ethan (4) during the Friends In Need Stampede benefit run Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, in Eagle Mountain. ANDREW VAN WAGENEN/ Daily Herald

Drew Van Wagenen

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Elizabeth Salinas runs with her daughter, Athena, and her two dogs, Rhea, right, and Timber during the Friends In Need Stampede benefit run Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, in Eagle Mountain. ANDREW VAN WAGENEN/ Daily Herald

Drew Van Wagenen

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EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Friends in Need Stampede organizers had a healthy turn out at the Labor Day event in Eagle Mountain of 42 participants and nearly as many dogs raring to go on either the Furry Fun Run or the 5K Run.

The Stampede was a benefit for the Friends in Need animal sanctuary and rescue center in Eagle Mountain.

“What this is really all about is bringing about an animal awareness in our area,” said Kim O’Donnell, director of Friends in Need.

O’Donnell said the sanctuary started out with domestic animals years ago, but then started getting farm animals.

“We have horses, pigs, emus, llamas, rabbits, sheep, goats, anything you can imagine,” he said. “Every animal represents a rescue and has a sad story.”

And it all racks up the bills, in animal feed, maintenance and shelter. Donations from sponsors help to supplement the expense, he said.

There were canine breeds of every kind at the Friends in Need Stampede and each got a red scarf to wear while their owners received a T-shirt.

Jenny and Gerry Woods had four dogs, each walking with a brace for the fun run. They came to the event as an activity for their pets.

“Because it’s next to the house and it’s for the dogs,” said Gerry Woods, who lives in neighboring Lehi. “And it’s about dogs finding a forever home.”

Each of the Woods’s dogs were rescued. Jazz, a golden retriever, is a therapy dog; Ralph, a blue healer, and red healer Freddie are Fly Ball sports dogs; and Savannah, a Belgian Malinois, is a rescue dog.

The Woods family was excited about coming to the event. After the Fun Run, Jenny Woods said they planned to enjoy the rest of Labor Day going for a ride with their horses and the dogs running with them.

“Oh I love it, anytime we can take our dogs is a good thing,” Jenny Woods said. “They are our kids.”

For more information go to www.friends-in-need.org