PULLMAN, Wash. When Bill Johnson and his former wife Jane lost their dog “Sonny” to cancer in 2006, it was like losing a child.
“When I lost Sonny, I was devastated,” said Johnson, president of Johnson Tenant Improvement based in Kent, Wash. “I did everything possible to save him, yet losing Sonny to canine lymphoma was still an incredible loss leaving me feeling both guilty and terrible.”
To deal with his grief and raise money for other animals in need, Johnson climbed on his bicycle in Cle Elum and rode it to Pullman last Augusta distance of 207 miles. A month later, he then made the return trip from
On Aug. 21 this year, he’s doing it again.
Johnson established the Sonny Angel’s Gift of Hope Endowment at
This year’s route parallels last year’s and is the same one he and Sonny traveled for treatment during his final days. He hopes to complete the trip in two days again.
“This builds on the ride from last year to help bring awareness to canine cancer,” said Johnson. “This helps people who don’t have the funds to treat their animals. I think there are a lot of people who love their animals, but when it comes to an illness like this, it can be a real hardship. This kind of a project is huge and it really helps out!”
Johnson’s rides are detailed on his website and interested people can follow his progress in real time across a map thanks to a tracking device Johnson wears.
Animal Lover’s Fund Raiser for Animals
When: Aug 21st 4am 4pm
Where: From Cle Elum to
For more information, or to track Bill Johnson’s progress online:
www.johnsontiinc.com/sonny.html
Photos and video from last year’s ride are available at (509) 335-4456.
