COEUR d'ALENE - Fritz is a white German shepherd, golden-eyed with a mellow temperament. Not long ago, he faced euthanization, but fate had it that Kristi Colacurcio would step in and save his life.

"I said 'Nope, not going to happen,'" Colacurcio said. "He's amazing."

Colacurcio, 30, of Coeur d'Alene, found him at a therapy dog show when she was looking for a service animal for her aging grandfather. Fritz's owner planned to do away with the slender canine because he had more health problems than a 2-year-old shepherd should. Colacurcio said no way, and brought him home with her. He's now 3 and in Colacurcio's care, and despite a few run-ins with porcupines, the canine is doing well.

Fritz's story is one of many that were shared Sunday morning in Riverstone Park during the third annual Drool Stampede, a half-mile to 5K dog walk fundraiser for the Kootenai County Humane Society.

Breeds large and small interacted with wagging tails and sniffing noses. About 75 humans and their canine counterparts participated in the walk and the contests that followed. Prizes were awarded for cutest face, a face only a mother could love, the dog who looked most like its owner and biggest drooler.

"I think it's important for people to know that good dogs can come from shelters, and it doesn't have to be purebred," Colacurcio said. She has been active in volunteering for animal shelters for many years.

Mary Powell of Rathdrum has worked for the humane society for 14 years. She and her 1-year-old black lab-dachshund Willie walked the course and socialized with other dogs and their owners.

"It's very good for the dogs and everybody to get together, just be all together," she said. She and her friend Tricia Kennedy of Rathdrum agreed that the socialization and camaraderie of an event like the Drool Stampede are positive for all involved.

"They contribute a lot of money during these things, which really of course comes in handy for the shelter," Kennedy said. Kennedy has also worked at the humane society.

The Drool Stampede brought in more than $8,000, an amount that will help provide shelter and food for the 50 dogs and more than 70 cats that are currently housed in the facility.

"Without these types of events, we wouldn't be able to support and take care of all the abandoned and unwanted animals," said Vicky Nelson, director of development for the Kootenai County Humane Society.

The Kootenai County Humane Society is a nonprofit organization. To donate, visit www.kootenaihumanesociety.com