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

Didn't make it to the DogParty? Well, the DogParty's coming to you! Many dogs aren't shown on here because the videographer could only stay a short time. People waited to see if it was going to rain before they showed up about an hour later. But, you'll get the gist of what we're doing! At the end of the day, we raised over $12,000 for the Veterans Fund!!!

My veterinarian Dr. Volz, did a wonderful job on his TV Show. Lots of great information is on here. You'll enjoy this one!

"Surf", an 11 year old Shepherd mix who was adopted at 6 years old from the WAHS and then brought back 5 years later, met her new family at the DogParty.
When I met Surf with her volunteer walker Pat, at Mingo a few months earlier, her story gave me the fuel that I needed to keep working toward our goal. How heartbreaking to be put into a shelter situation at any age, let alone, 11 years old. Her eyes told the story of pain and abandonment and I knew that she wondered why she was there and what she did wrong.

A nice lady who attended the Furry Fall Festival ~ Pets for U.S. Vets, who already has a couple of senior dogs, said that Surf would fit right in with her family.

In addition to this wonderful news, we were able to raise over $12,000 with the help of the Claysville American Legion Riders, Post 639 with a check for $2,500 and an anonymous Korean War Veteran and the daughter of a Korean War Veteran, who matched our $6,000 raised.

All week, the weather kept calling for a wash out. We prayed that the rain would stop by 9AM, registration time, and it did exactly that. After all week of weathermen calling for a total rainy mess, that morning's weather report showed the storm actually circling away from 84 Fitness Center's pavilion where the DogParty was to be. When we got to the corner of 136 and 519 where the DogParty was held, the roads were dry! Not ONE drop of rain on our outdoor party! The sun came out shortly afterwards.

I wish I could explain to the shelter dogs and cats that there are people on the "outside" who are working day and night to help them get adopted. When I visited the Washington Area Humane Society yesterday, I felt that way as I looked at two old Beagle sisters that weren't wanted anymore by their family. I looked at "Surf", an 11 year old sweet, Shepherd mix who was adopted at 6 years old and brought back 5 years later. The puppies were oblivious. They hadn't lived long enough to wonder why they were abandoned or separated from their families and homes. They weren't old enough to feel rejection every time someone passed them by.
That is why, this weekend's DogParty is so important. Please plan to attend and dress warmly. We have a large pavilion if it does shower a bit. Please don't let the weather keep you from attending. I can't explain the weather to those animals, either.
We have LOTS of pretty Chinese Auction stuff! We'll be auctioning a scratch-off lottery board with lots of tickets on it. We'll have a 50/50 and a FREE 1 year 84 Fitness Center membership to raffle. We have the wonderful Patriotic Presentation and a Blessing of the Animals. We have interesting vendors and of course, That Guy With the Birds.
But, most of all, we are honoring our veterans for their service and we are giving the shelter dogs a day out at a DogParty. And if we're lucky, someone will fall in love and a little soul will be healed.

The Claysville American Legion Riders, Post 639, are sponsoring a bike, car and truck run to benefit 84 Fitness Center's Pets for U.S. Vets program at the Washington Area Humane Society.

Although I look as if I'm doing the Hokey Pokey, I'm really describing a dog's ears. Who knew? This show is about how to decide which type of pet will fit into your lifestyle.  I hope that you enjoy!

This episode features two organizations that help their communities through the involvment of pets. Listen as a Bethel Park policeman talks about the types of service dogs that are available to people with special needs. Lots of information is discussed on this show.

This episode of "Let's Talk Tailwaggers" focuses on pet safety in the summer heat. It seems that many people are unaware of just how hot it gets inside of parked vehicles. Lots of good advice is given.

Watch as Venture & Max, two cats waiting at the WAHS, steal your heart. Please pass the word about 84 fitness Center's Veterans Fund at the WAHS. No adoption fees for our local veterans!!!

The Captain of the Pa. Patriot Guard Riders talks about their mission. After watching this video, you will understand what "Respect, Honor & Dignity" really mean.

This is the latest installment of our series. Listen as Kelly Backo, Mgr. of Program Development at the WAHS, talks about Bosco, an 11 year old beagle who suddenly became homeless when his owners went into an assisted living situation. Feel proud of our local veterans as Barry Bioni, Captain of the Pa. Patriotic Guard Riders, tells the story of how this wonderful group of people got together to protect and honor the families of our fallen soldiers. Please pass this on to let others know about these important causes.

BPTV'S "Lets talk Tailwaggers" is continuing the series on the animals of the Washington Area Humane society and 84 Fitness Center's Veterans Fund. Many animals in need of homes are showcased. Watch as a local Humane Agent talks about "Dozer", a starvation case who now has hope and a local veteran who shows off his doggie "Hudson" who he adopted at last year's DogParty. Thanks for passing this on. Let's do this!

Every two weeks we're doing a show about the animals up for adoption at the Washington Area Humane society and 84 Fitness Center's Pets for U.S. Vets program at the WAHS. Thanks for watching and please share this video with others.

Bethel Park TV (BPTV) show host Susie Roberti has invited me to partner with the Washington Area Humane Society to do a series on my Pets for U.S. Vets program. The show is called "Lets Talk Tailwaggers". For the last 2 years I've been on the show prior to the DogParty to promote the fundraiser. This year starting mid March, we will be on every 2 weeks with animals up for adoption and the series will run for a few months. It will be uploaded to U-Tube, so I'll be able to link it to this site. We will be able to showcase many more animals and hopefully reach out to more veterans. I'm excited to tell you that all of the hard work is paying off. In 2011, the Veterans Fund was responsible for 30 dog adoptions and 11 cat adoptions.
This year, the DogParty will be held on Saturday,October 6th, so please save the date and come enjoy a patriotic social event for you and your dog. I'll be updating as more details get into place and I'll be looking for vendors and volunteers. I know that it's the middle of Winter, but I'm already excited about spreading the word. Please help by letting your friends know about this important inititive. Contact me anytime at dogparty84@aol.com or 412-217-9059.
"Working together in our community and making a difference."

Let's make this year about helping our local veterans and our local shelter animals. It only takes a moment to pass this site on in hopes of letting our veterans know that they can adopt a friend at the Washington Area Humane Society at no charge. I'd also like to thank everyone who helped make this program a success. Many animals at the WAHS are being matched up with our local veterans. The dead of winter is approaching and more pets need to be placed into loving homes. Won't you help spread the word?
Although the shelter is full of caring people, it can be a lonely life for a dog or cat waiting day after day for that special someone to walk through the door.
I'm happy to say that we adopted our fourth little hound in November. We weren't planning on adding another rescued dog to our pack when we attended the party at the WAHS pavilion that day in November. But, what a lucky day it was for all of us when we rounded the corner and saw our new little baby. Now, he is tucked into our warm home and happy as can be. This year, let's open our hearts to the possibility of saving many hearts...both human and animal. Happy New Year!
Thinking out of the cage...