By Tom Bannister

Calling all dogs, runners, and walkers! som|dog is taking to historic Union Square in Somerville for their semi-annual Doggie 5k Fun Run.

This year, they honor the late Tom Taylor, who served on the Somerville Board of Alderman from 1983 to 2013, and was an avid som|dog supporter. Tom was a major force behind the efforts to bring off-leash dog parks to the Somerville community.

In a tribute to Tom and his family, som|dog is honored to bring their 3rd annual race Tom Taylor Memorial Doggie 5k Fun Run to Union Square. Tom’s family has set up a special team for the event called Tom’s Pawsetters and they welcome runners and walkers from across the city.

“Tom Taylor was a passionate advocate for improving the quality of life for all Somerville residents,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. “He had a vision of how a dog park could bring value to the community. The enduring popularity of the Nunziato Field Dog Park in the years since has proved him right. I can’t think of a better way to honor a man whose mission since 1983 was to make Somerville a better place for everyone to live.”

“Tom’s efforts around the Nunziato Field Park built a momentum that has since yielded other dog parks as well,” said som|dog President and Chairman Brian Davis, referring to the off-leash recreation areas at Zero New Washington Street, and Ed Leathers parks. “Those of us who have taken on dog ownership are responsible for giving these animals the best lives possible. Having these parks available in Somerville makes that much easier. We will remain forever in his debt.”

som|dog’s Tom Taylor Memorial Doggie 5k Fun Run will take place on Sunday, October 16. Co-Sponsored by the City of Somerville and Bull McCabe’s, the run will begin at Bull McCabe’s Tavern at 366 Somerville Avenue and will follow a course around the Nunziato Dog Park. The Run will end back at Bull McCabe’s for beer, food and festivities.

A community-based event, the Fun Run is open to everyone, and participants may walk or run, with or without dogs. Check in and day-of registration closes at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the run. Run start time is 10:00 a.m. sharp.

For more information and to register for the 2016 som|dog Tom Taylor Memorial Doggie 5k Fun Run, visit www.racemenu.com/somdog5k.

The 2014 event attracted more than 250 runners, spectators and their canine companions, including dogs looking for their forever homes. som|dog is thrilled that that every dog from that event was adopted. Proceeds from this event were donated to the City of Medford’s initiative to build a dog park in their city.

This year, they are again inviting local rescue organization to come out and bring their adoptable dogs. In 2016, som|dog members supported a city-wide animal vaccination program for low-income pet owners, park clean-ups, free recall training clinics at our SpringFling, education outreach with Somerville canine expert and author Melissa McCue-McGrath CPDT-KA, and donations to local animal rescue organizations.

Proceeds from the 2016 Tom Taylor Memorial Doggie Fun Run Event will go to supporting som|dog’s 2017 education and outreach events, and in the form of donations and resources to our partners in local animal rescue organizations.