pet
Over 1,600 Animals For Adoption At ‘My Furry Valentine’
Last August, I wrote a blog post about a local photographer who specializes in capturing the personalities of pets. For Carolyn Evans though, her work goes so much deeper than her talent. She devotes so much time and energy into finding permanent, loving homes for animals who are without much hope.
If you know me, you know I have a special heart for what she does.
And so, I’m eager to help get word out about a huge event coming up next weekend that Carolyn is organizing with help from a friend, Kathy Parsanko, and a crew of other committed volunteers.
With Carolyn at the helm, for the first time EVER, shelters and rescue groups from our entire Tri-State region are pulling together with one unified mission: to educate the public that adoptable animals from shelters and rescue groups are one of the best sources for finding a new family pet -‐-‐ and to achieve the highest number of homeless pets ever adopted in Cincinnati in one day.
My Furry Valentine, the Tri-‐State’s largest Pet Adopton Event, will be held Saturday, February 11, from 11 am to 6 pm. with the main event being held at flexi USA, Inc. Headquarters. (8494 Firebird Drive
West Chester, OH 45014) There are other participating locations – for a list, please visit www.myfurryvalentine.com
Over 1,600 adoptable animals will be looking for their permanent home. Could you be one?
Pet overpopulation is an enormous problem in the U.S., and in our area. More than 33,000 homeless, adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year in our Cincinnati region, as a result.
Participating Shelters and Rescue Groups
ABC’s of Bullies, Adams County Dog Pound, Adore-‐A-‐Bull Rescue, All Dogs Come From Heaven, Animal Adoption Foundation (AAF), Animal Friends Humane Society, Animal Rescue Fund, Bluegrass Boxer Rescue, Boone County Animal Shelter, Brown County Animal Shelter, Campbell County Animal Shelter, Cincinnati Lab Rescue, Circle Tail, Coalition to Ban Dog Auctions, Clermont County Humane Society, Franklin County Humane Society, Friends of Noah, Grant County Animal Shelter, Golden Retriever Rescue & Adoption of Needy Dogs (GRRAND), Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati, Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART), Homeward Bound Greyhound Association, Humane Association of Warren County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, Joey’s Greyhound Friends, Inc., Kenton County Animal Shelter, Kyle’s New Hope Animal Rescue, League for Animal Welfare, Maverick’s Mission Rescue, Maysville Rescue Team, Michelle’s Spoiled Rotten Foster Dogs, Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue, Moore Love Rescue, No Kill Tri-‐State, Ohio Pug Rescue, Our Gang Rescue, Owen County Friends of Animals, Pampered Pets Animal Rescue (PPAR), Paws Adoption Center, Puppy Pals Rescue, Queen City Greyhounds, Recycled Doggies, Sacred Hearts Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, Save The Animals Foundation (STAF), SPCA Cincinnati Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP), The Scratching Post, This Little Piggy & Me Guinea Pig Adoption & Rescue, Three Sisters Pet Rescue, Tri-‐State CART (County Animal Response Team), UCAN Non-‐profit Spay Neuter Clinic, United Pet Fund, Wags & Whiskers… and more continue to register daily!
Donations Accepted
My Furry Valentine is accepting donations that day on behalf of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry (providing temporary food assistance for animals whose owners are struggling financially.) They accept unopened, unexpired bags of dog/cat food and kitty litter. And also for Blankets and Bones (a community outreach program that provides comfort to dogs in shelters) accepts new or gently-‐used blankets and new rawhide bones. Anyone bringing a donation to the event will be eligible to win one of several great prizes.
My Furry Valentine is sponsored by Flexi USA, Alcott and PhoDographer. More information, including adoptable pets and satellite adoption locations for the day is available at http://MyFurryValentine.com
This is a GREAT PSA on pet adoption!
‘I Rescued A Human Today’
I saw this on Phodographer Carolyn Evans’ Facebook page and knew I would have to share it. If you love animals they way I do, you will really appreciate it.
‘I Rescued A Human Today’ by Jannine Allen, CPDT
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
**”I Rescued a Human Today”, written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2010 Rescue Me Dog; www.rescuemedog.org
PHOTO CREDIT: Carolyn Evans, Phodographer
Life Lessons Learned From Sam
Sam is our family companion, friend and pet. I’m his trainer (or I like to say teacher); however, it occurred to me this morning how much he is teaching us. Here are some of his lessons.
When loved ones and visitors come to your home,
always run with enthusiasm to greet them.
Give of yourself freely to others just because you can.
Thrive on the joy of just being together, of getting
and giving attention.
Remember to let everyone know they are important
and practice loyalty every day.
When someone you care about is happy,
celebrate too.
When someone you care about is having a bad day,
know that just nuzzling close may be all that is needed.
Don’t waste time being angry or sad,
life is way too short for that.
Don’t fret about the little stuff,
be joyous that this is a new day
and a new moment.
Run, romp and play every day.
Show your happiness by waggling your whole body.
Pay attention to everything meaningful.
Take time to sit on a rock and just watch the world
around you.
Lay in the grass and savor the scents carried through
the fresh air crossing your face.
Delight in the joy of a long walk with your favorite person.
Never ever pass up an opportunity to go for a ride in the car.
And don’t ever try to be anyone but yourself..
Just be the very best you can be.
An Unusual Friendship
Amazing Friendship
