------ Pets for U.S. Vets ------

"Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
Ronald Reagan

We are losing our WWII United States Veterans at a rate of 1,000 per day. This year, my Dad, my best friend, was one of the statistics...a WWII U.S. Marine. And to a lot of people, it may seem like just that...a statistic. But to me, it has been life-changing. I decided that this year's Pets for U.S. Vets DogParty would be in Honor and Memory of all our Veterans, past and present. I want my Dad, and all other veterans who have paved the way for us to live the lifestyle that we are priviledged to live in this country, to be remembered. If not for our WWII era veterans, we would not be free. We need to thank a veteran every day...any branch of service, Democrat or Republican.
My way of thanking them is to have adoption fees waived at our local shelter; the Washington Area Humane Society. One way the public can help is to pass this information on. It is a win/win situation. We work throughout the year to prepare for our DogParty in October. This is how we raise $$$ for the Veterans Fund that we set up last year. Please help us throughout the year to make it even better for our veterans and our homeless dogs and cats. You can email me with any ideas or opportunities to get the word out. dogparty84@aol.com Together, we can make a difference!

Speaking for the shelter animals, Suzi Smith

Joe Maringo, director of Southwest Pennsylvania Retriever Rescue Org/S.P.A.R.R.O. and
Shades Of Grey Sanctuary For Senior Dogs (www.sparro.org) volunteered his time to come to the Furry Fall Festival and share his knowledge of the Hero Dogs of 9/11.
This is his video of the morning set-up. He caught a very special moment in time with the Claysville American Legion Honor Guard and the Washington Festival Chorale performing the Patriotic Presentation. During the presentation, you will see three Young Marines who volunteered their services for the entire day. We can be very proud of these people. Thanks Joe for making the trip to Eighty Four and catching this moment on video.

Introducing
Hudson Lee

Traveling down a lonely road,
tired and full of fleas...
I was so scared and hungry,
could someone help me, please?

The Humane Society took me in;
gave me a place to lay my head...
I dreamt of someplace special,
with a big, soft, fluffy bed...

A DogParty was coming soon,
I overheard them say...
"Pets for U.S. Vets", they said,
"it's coming any day"...

The Furry Fall Festival was so much fun;
a day out of the cage and able to run...
I found my forever family that day,
so, off to my big, soft, fluffy bed to stay!

Thank you to Bill and Linda for adopting Hudson through the Pets for U.S. Vets
program. Hudson is now living the life that all dogs and cats should live. He is one of several dogs that were adopted at the DogParty on Oct. 8. Please pass the word on about The Pets for U.S. Vets Program. And of course, cats are part of this program, too.

Hudson Lee, a little shih-tzu, found his forever home during the 2nd annual Furry Fall Festival-Pets for U.S. Vets. A wonderful family, a U.S. Veteran and his wife, fell in love with him on that 80*, sunny day in the 84 ball fields. Many dogs there were up for adoption, but they only had eyes for him. Anyone watching could see that Hudson felt the same way... It was truly meant to be!

Lots more are waiting...

"Working together in our community and making a difference."
Suzi Smith PHD (perfect hound dogs)

"I'd like to say THANKS to all who helped make this year's DogParty a total success!
Your kindness has enabled others like me (and cats, too) find loving homes with local U.S. Veterans...
Please take a moment to "sniff out" the new Veteran's Fund created by my Mom, at the Washington Area Humane Society."
"Working together in our community and making a difference."

- Harley Grant Smith PHD (Perfect Hound Dog) WAHS 2001 Alumni

A Note From Harley's Mom:
This year's DogParty was very special to me. It was in honor and memory of all U.S. Veterans past and present. It was in special memory of my Dad, Bernard Louis Frabell, a WWII Marine and my best friend. We lost him in May of this year and it was an uphill struggle for me to continue to put this DogParty together. But, it has been well worth the effort. It kept me extremely busy with the day to day stuff that goes along with educating the public and also asking for donations and begging for the animals. We knew going into this effort that if we raised $5,000 this year, an anonymous Korean War Veteran and a daughter of a Korean War Veteran would match the $5,000. In the middle of the Chinese Auction, about 2 PM, Lynn (84 Fitness Manager) got my attention and said that we met our goal. We both were crying at this point. The extra $5,000 means so much to the animals that are waiting day after day in cages for someone to adopt them. These funds are meant to help make it easier in these tough economic times for our Veterans to adopt a wonderful best friend. I can promise you, from my experience, that when you get an animal out of a shelter, they understand the magnitude of what you have done and they will be forever grateful for your love. Please help to spread the word on the Veterans Fund. Lets do this!
Your Pal, Suzi Smith

The Legion Riders of Post 639 in Claysville have done it, again. On September 24th, they successfully raised a generous amount of $ for the Veterans Fund. It was a beautiful day for a ride and many veterans showed up to participate. These men and women have been extremely supportive of our mission...to get as many pets as possible adopted out of the Washington Area Humane Society to our local Veterans. The Veteran Fund takes care of the adoption fee. Adopting a pet out of our local shelter is a great deal. The dog or cat is spayed/neutered, up to date on shots and micro-chipped. Please pass the word along about this wonderful program.

If you can feel safe doing your daily chores and moving about in our community,
THANK A VETERAN! Remember "All gave some, some gave all."
Case closed-Legion Riders ROCK!

Bethel Park TV invited me and the volunteer coordinater of the Washington Area Humane Society to be on a T.V. Show. It's called "Lets Talk Tailwaggers." It's a very casual talk show with the wonderful Susie Roberti. All of her shows are dedicated to raising awareness and helping animals.

Hi Everyone,

The 2nd Annual "Furry" Fall Festival is fast approaching.
Prior to the Pets for U.S. Vets DogParty is a Bike Run held by the Claysville American Legion Post 639. They are raising $$$ for the Veteran's Fund in addition to what we raise on Oct. 8. Bikes, cars and trucks are welcome to participate. What a great way to wrap up the summer!

We also have a wonderful online fundraiser going with Stephanie MacCartney's Scentsy Candles. Please visit her site to order some of the wonderful and safe flameless home aromas; safe for senior apartments and homes with small children and pets...think Holiday gifts! She will be at the Furry Fall Festival but you can order online prior to the DogParty. A good part of her proceeds go directly to the Veterans Fund. Check it out at http://www.smaccartney.scentsy.us/ and click on "PETS for U.S. Vets" to view the products.


Here is a summary of what will be going on at the DogParty on October 8th, 2011. I will continue to update the schedule of events as we get closer to the date.

(times are approximate due to expected chaos) :-)

*Pre-registration forms are available at:
* 84 Fitness Center (across from 84 Lumber Rt. 519)
* The Washington Area Humane Society (Rt. 136)
* Petco (in the Wal-Mart Plaza)

If you can't make it to the DogParty, please stop by the front desk of 84 Fitness Center and order a few $10 "Pets for U.S. Vets" T-Shirts. Thanks for helping!

9:00- registration and check in - $10 donation

(all entrants receive a one week FREE pass to 84 Fitness Center)

*KIDS 12 years and under and all DOGS FREE

10:00- Beginning "thank you" to all of our veterans past and present

Claysville American Legion Post 639 Honor Guard presentation

Singing of the National Anthem by the Washington Festival Chorale

Pledge of Allegiance

A special moment to honor the 9/11 Search and Rescue Dogs

10:30- Dog Walk around the ball fields

11:00-3:00Blessing of the Animals with Father Mike Ruffalo / Immaculate Conception Church

Vendor food for purchase with Stephanie Wolfe

Mr. John Lege "That Guy With the Birds" http://www.budwings.com/

OG West Penn Schutzhund Club with Staci Adams

WAHS information table

Several vendors, demonstrations and tables to browse

Paul's "A" Train - a colorful train ride around the ball fields for the kids

Photos

"Silly Agility" Game for dogs and their people

"Meet and Greet" with the WAHS dogs up for adoption

Recognition of the WAHS Alumni dogs

Chinese Auction/Silent Auction-50/50

Thank you to all of our T-Shirt Sponsors, volunteers and participants

On a personal note:

I felt that this year's event would be next to impossible for me to organize. We found out in the beginning of the year that my Dad had incurable cancer and had only months to live. By the end of May, he was gone. The 2nd Annual "Furry" Fall Festival is in honor and memory of my Dad, a World War II Marine; and all of our veterans past and present. It will be a day to remember the sacrifices made by these individuals who have kept and continue to keep us safe. On the 10 year anniversary of 911 it makes me think, "Where would we be without them?"

"Working together in our community and making a difference."
See you there! Suzi