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‘Bullies’ return to launch 2019 at Crescent Beach

Annual bull-terrier gathering marks start of new year at South Surrey shoreline
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Bull terrier Bruiser goes nose-to-nose with a Great Dane who came to see all the other bull terriers following the annual New Year’s Bully walk at Crescent Beach, now in its 20th year. (Scott Larsen photo)

by Scott Larsen

Special to the Peace Arch News

A cold but sunny New Year’s Day greeted bull terriers and humans for the 20th annual New Year’s Bully Walk at Crescent Beach.

Meeting at Blackie Spit Tuesday, two dozen bull terriers – nicknamed ‘bullies’ – began the short walk, with many leading their humans, along Crescent Beach trail to Sullivan Point Park.

Reactions from other walkers brought smiles and comments ranging from, “Look at them!” to “Bull terriers!”

Zola, reportedly Canada’s number-one mini-bull from this area, also made an appearance.

Founder Irene Tatiana Morden believes the first New Year’s bully walk at Crescent Beach began in 2000.

At times, to say it was a walk was a stretch. Many bullies zigged and zagged across the pathway instead of straight ahead. Bully humans seem to agree that at times the breed tends to be bull-headed.

A couple of the dogs’ owners, who ran down Sullivan Point Beach with their bullies, laughed at the sign posted in the water saying, “No running.”

In recent years after the walk, participants have gathered for a group photo around logs on Sullivan Point Beach – and this year that tradition continued as well.

Usually, bullies come up from Washington state, as far south as Seattle to participate. This year, the farthest trek to join in was made from Chilliwack.

The youngest bully was five months old, while the oldest was 13 years.

Sponsored by the Lower Mainland Bull Terrier Walking Group, the next walk – the Fifth Annual Canada Day Bully Walk – is to take place in July at Westminster Park in New Westminster.