The homeless Chihuahua mix wandering the streets of Puerto Rico during Claudia and Stephen Inoue's 2002 honeymoon easily found a way into the couple's hearts.

For Claudia, who had never had a dog before, it was love at first sight. She moved mountains to rescue the tiny tyke and bring him home to Santa Fe. Stephen took a bit more convincing, but Rico eventually became a pampered member of the family, despite chronic illnesses that included epilepsy.

So when Rico suddenly died on Aug. 29, the Inoue's world collapsed. But a friend, Cindy Roper, knew that Rico's death shouldn't be in vain. She contacted Mary Martin, executive director of the Santa Fe Shelter & Humane Society, in an effort to turn the loss into something proactive.

Thus was born the Rico Fund for Little Brown Dogs, a fund to help others with the cost of spaying and neutering.

Rico's Fund, an offshoot of a shelter program called "Big Brown Dog Bonanza," aims to get more dogs altered so fewer will end up in shelters. The fund's already raised more than $2,000 and has helped several families with their pets.

"I have long worked to raise funds for spaying and neutering," Claudia Inoue said, "through the book sale at our business and my Japanese origami paper cranes. The fact that this money goes to a fund named specifically for my little boy Rico, makes me work even harder for that. It's bittersweet, but I believe spaying and neutering" is the key to curbing animal overpopulation.

On Saturday, the Santa Fe Dog Dancing Club will hold a benefit for the fund at Zoe & Guido's Pet Boutique, 1441-C Paseo de Peralta. The club is co-sponsoring the event with Zoe & Guido's, which will coincide with the store's annual Howl-O-Ween party.

The 1 to 3 p.m. event will include door prizes, a raffle for cool dog products, hot-dog bobbing, prizes for best costume, refreshments and even a "just for fun" pet psychic. The club has also printed bumper stickers that people can buy in support of Rico's Fund.

And naturally, the dog club has a few tricks up its sleeve.

"We'll be performing, including the debut of our group disco number to 'Night Fever'," said the club's leader, Mary Leatherberry. "It's not to be missed."

The club is committed to doing community service, Leatherberry said, both through demonstrations and sponsoring fundraisers. Previous fundraisers have included a "Dogs as Artists" event to benefit the Alice Lee Fund at Assistance Dogs of the West, and an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social to benefit Marguerite Woods' Small Dog Rescue Group.

"We like to plan events that dogs and their owners can enjoy," she said.

Pam Hagan, owner of Zoe & Guido's, said she's always happy to support animal-related causes. Having the fundraiser at the same time as the popular Halloween party seemed a natural fit.

"Last year it was a huge hit, so this year we're hoping it will be even bigger," she said. "People just love Halloween. I think it takes us all back to our childhood. It's a joyous occasion."

While nothing will replace Rico, Claudia Inoue said working directly for animal welfare puts the "spring in my step and the smile on my face." Customers at the Inoue's business, Toy Auto Man, support her cause through the purchase of used books and the origami cranes, with all the proceeds going to the shelter. They refer to her as the "spay and neuter queen."

"It's my dream that if an owner makes an effort to bring an animal in to be altered, it gets done regardless of whether the person can afford to or not," she said.

The fund is steadily growing and on Friday had a balance of $2,315, said Bill Hutchison, the shelter's director of communications. While that may not seem like much, it could still provide up to 15 surgeries at private practices. But the money goes a lot further at the shelter's clinic, which provides subsidies depending on income to make the surgeries more affordable.

"Just $2,300 and some change, we can help more than 50 animals," he said. "As long as that money keeps coming in to honor Rico, we can still help quite a bit with not a whole lot of dollars."

The fund itself is a powerful symbol for a little dog that not only continues to live on for the Inoues, but can now help other animals in the community, Hutchison said, adding that on a cosmic level, "that's huge."

He added, "As long as those dollars keep coming in, he continues to help. He's still out there, wagging his little tail."

To learn more about the fund, stop by Saturday's event and meet Claudia. Donations to Rico's Fund can be made at sfhumanesociety.org or mailed to 100 Caja del Rio Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507.

HOWL-O-WEEN

What: Halloween party and fundraiser for Rico's Fund

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Where: Zoe & Guido's Pet Boutique, 1441-C Paseo de Peralta

Details: Fun for you and your canine pal. Prizes for creative costumes; raffle; games for K-9s; treat bags; performances by the Santa Fe Dog Dance Club; a pet psychic; refreshments.