Imagine going down to a park and meeting a dog.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
And then another dog.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
And then another dog. Or maybe two more dogs. Wouldn't that be the best day ever?
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Well what if you got to meet those four wonderful pups ... and then 30,110 more after that?
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
If you live in South Shields, England, this might have been your weekend.
On June 4, 2017, the small city of South Shields, England, was home to the 27th Annual Great North Dog Walk.
The start of the walk. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
The event, started by physical education teacher Tony Carlisle back in 1990, brings together dog owners and their pups for a brisk stroll along the North English coast.
The route goes along The Leas, a National Trust area along the North Sea. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Carlisle says seeing the event grow from 13 hounds and a few of his students to a grand total of 30,114 participants this year is pretty mind-blowing.
"I never in my wildest dreams ever imagined it'd get as big as this," Carlisle says.
Over 180 different breeds of dog showed up, according to Carlisle. From the very small...
Two pugs stop for a meet and greet. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
...to the very large.
Definitely a gentle giant, this one. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
From the elegant...
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
...to the stylish...
These Chinese crested dogs have a natural flair for the dramatic. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
...to the suspiciously bipedal.
Dear Lord, that is the happiest dog I have ever seen. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
The event has gathered at least 16 Guinness World Records over the years.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Similar dog walking events have popped up in places like Texas, Canada, and Scotland, and have occasionally stolen the title of World's Largest, but it's hard to unseat the king. Carlisle is confident this year's walk will be another record-breaker.
A lot of dogs means a lot of dog dishes! Photo from Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
The best part of the event, though, is that it's not just a chance to get out and meet some dogs. It's raised millions for charity too.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Participants in the dog walk can sign up to donate from one of 34 different beneficiaries, from pet shelters to veteran support to cancer research. Over the last 27 years, the Dog Walk's raised about $8.67 million (6.72 million pounds), according to Carlisle.
Not bad for a day out with your pooch.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
Of course, walking 30,000 dogs comes with some ... logistics.
Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.
"Every walker's given a poo bag," says Carlisle. And they have plenty of bins on site.
Good plan.