The popular Relay for Life event draws thousands of participants nationwide in its efforts to raise money to support the American Cancer Society. But amid the fanfare of the occasion, when families can gather for a day of fun while supporting a good cause, one family member is not allowed to take part: the family dog.

Amanda Hagler of Laurinburg is doing something to change that.

"My mom and stepdad Carol and Stewart Thomas are co-chairs with Scotland County Relay for Life, and have been talking about adding Bark for Life to the program for some time," she said. "They know how much I love animals, and they asked me if I would be interested in putting the event together in Scotland County. I agreed to chair the event, and the inaugural Bark for Life will be held Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the James L. Morgan Recreational Complex on Turnpike Road."

While Bark for Life is a national complement to Relay, it's content is "open ended", according to Hagler, allowing her to add her own ideas to the basic framework of the program as a way for dog owners to support Relay with their pets.

"Since dogs are not allowed at the Scotland County High School track, we wanted to do a separate event so that they are not completely unseen," she said.

Hagler decided to make the Scotland County version of Bark for Life "a unique mixture of Relay and the John Blue Festival" by combining elements of both events.

"Instead of a walking track like they have at Relay, we will set up areas for the dogs and their owners to walk around and visit, such as a treat station, a picture station, an obstacle course, a tent where your pet's paw print can be painted, and more."

One of the innovations created by Hagler for Bark for Life is an event titled Honoring Our Lost Paws, a tribute to pets that are deceased.

"Since Relay has its luminaries to honor loved ones who have passed, we thought it would be a good idea to have a similar way to honor pets," Hagler said. "We will have a board set up, painted with a paw print. For $5 a dog owner can display a photo of his or her deceased pet, and for $3 we will post the pet's name."

Hagler also plans to include a contest called Every Dog's Dream to be held during the regular Relay for Life event Oct. 3.

"We will have a painted area in the grass behind the football stadium," Hagler said, "where numbered bones, which can be purchased at Bark for Life, will be dropped from the air. Whoever purchased the number of the bone that lands closest to the target will win $100."

Nancy Adcock, the publicity chairperson for Relay for Life in Scotland County, is happy to see Hagler's new addition to the local event.

"I am excited that Amanda will be adding Bark to Life this year as a part of the Relay for Life event," Adcock said. "I hope that everyone will come out and participate, register their favorite dog and enjoy the day."

Participants pay a registration fee of $10 per dog either before the event or on Sept. 19 at the door. The registration fee covers one event t-shirt for each family and a Bark for Life bandana for each dog. All proceeds from the event go to Relay for Life.

To register, contact Hagler at 610-3295 or by email at amanda.hagler@gmail.com. Participants may also visit the event website at www.relayforlife.org/scotlandnc and click on Bark for Life registration instructions.

"You can help save lives when you join this canine version of Relay for Life," Hagler said. "You and your 'best friend' will be partners in helping to create a cancer free world."

Vendor spots are still open at $50 each with all profits going to Relay for Life. Contact Hagler for more information.

The James L. Morgan Recreational Center is located at 1206 Turnpike Rd., Laurinburg.