---> FURRY FALL FESTIVAL <----

DogParty 2012 News Flash!

2012-02-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Bethel Park TV (BPTV) show host Susie Roberti has invited me to partner with the Washington Area Humane Society to do a series on 84 Fitness Center's 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. You can also find us on facebook at DogParty84 - Pets for U.S. Vets
"Working together in our community and making a difference."

A Hound Dog's Guide to the New Year

2012-01-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

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...

In Honor and Memory of our U.S. Veterans

2011-11-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

"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.
Our 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 at 84 Fitness Center 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

Pets for U.S. Vets Patriotic Presentation

2011-11-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Hudson Lee Gets Adopted at DogParty!

2011-10-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

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)

WAHS 2001 Alumni Hound Speaks Out

2011-10-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

"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 84 Fitness Center, 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

Legion Riders raise $ for the Veterans Fund

2011-10-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Furry Fall Festival Goes Viral on YouTube:

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.

DogParty 10/08/11 Schedule of Events

2011-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

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

11:00-3:00
Blessing 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

2nd Annual Dog Party

2011-07-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday Oct. 8th, 2011

A social event for dogs! (and their people)

Hi Party Animals,

84 Fitness Center and the Washington Area Humane Society have teamed up again to present the 2nd Annual Furry Fall Festival -

"Pets for U.S. Vets" on Sat. Oct. 8th, 2011 in the 84 ball fields. If your dog brought you to the dogparty last year, you know that it was a huge success. We raised $$$ for the Veterans Fund at the Washington Area Humane Society and dogs and cats were adopted to our local U.S. Veterans throughout the year with the adoption fee waived. It is our way of giving back to our veterans and also helping our local shelter animals find their forever homes.
If you volunteered a service, collected donations for the Chinese Auction, walked your dog or were a vendor, please consider being a part of this wonderful day once again. The Claysville American Legion Post 639 Honor Guard will kick off our dogparty with a Patriotic ceremony. This year, Father Mike from Immaculate Conception Church in Washington will give the Blessing of the Animals. By popular demand, the OG West Penn Schutzhund Club with Staci Adams will be on hand with exciting demonstrations. And for all of you bird lovers, Mr. John Lege, THAT GUY WITH THE BIRDS, will give an awesome and educational performance. I'll continue to update this information. Registration forms will be available at 84 Fitness Center and the WAHS. Please register early if you want a T-Shirt. I'll post the schedule of events as soon as I get more into place. If you would like to be a part of this event as a vendor or T-Shirt sponsor, let me know. This event is a wonderful way to help our community and to meet other animal lovers.
Contact me anytime @ 412-217-9059 or dogparty84@aol.com If you would like to check out what all went on last year, scroll down to the beginning of this blog.
...please be a part of the solution...

Speaking for the shelter animals,

Suzi Smith P.H.D. (Perfect Hound Dogs)

The Next Step

2010-10-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

Local U.S. Veterans Needed

Our local United States Veterans are needed once again. Only this time, they are needed by the animals of the Washington Area Humane Society.
October 9, 2010, 84 Fitness Center sponsored a Furry Fall Festival with the theme “Pets for United States Vets.” Everyone had a wonderful time and over $5,500 was raised.
For more information on the event, see our earlier stories on this dog blog.

All of the proceeds went into a special fund at the WAHS known as the “Veterans Fund”. Our local veterans can now adopt a dog or cat out of our no-kill, full to capacity shelter at no cost to them, as long as the funds hold out. At any time, donations can be made to the “Veterans Fund” (be sure to mark your check that way) to keep the program going. Wonderful health benefits are associated with owning a pet…both for the animal and the person. It was our idea to honor our veterans and also help the homeless animals…a win/win situation.
The situation at the shelter is heartbreaking. Some of the furry residents have been there over a year and are known as the “veteran” shelter pets. Being a no-kill shelter has limited the number of animals that can be safely taken in and properly cared for. There are many adult pets that would fit easily into a loving home. Some have been passed over many times and feel rejection every day.
If you are a veteran and have been thinking of adding a new furry member to your household, please take this opportunity to adopt from the WAHS free of charge. All of the pets are micro-chipped, spayed or neutered and up to date on shots. There are volunteers willing to answer questions and give suggestions for those who want or need it.
We need to pull together as a community, just as the small group of people did who raised the money for the Veterans Fund. Please give these dogs and cats a chance to be part of a family and not have to spend any more time in a cage waiting for someone to love them.
Please take this first step in being part of the solution in our area. If you can make room for one of these animals or tell a friend of our special Veterans Fund, you would be doing such a great service to our community.
The animals at the WAHS really need your help and they need it now.

Speaking for the Shelter Animals,

Suzi Smith PHD (perfect hound dogs) Email me at: dogparty84@aol.com

Hound Review

2010-10-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

Due to the overwhelming response to the Furry Fall Festival,

the residents of HOUNDHAVEN speak out!

"Pets for U.S. Vets" Dog Party

2010-10-14T12:59:00.001-07:00

Hi, Dog Party People!

A Furry Fall Festival was a total success!!! I want to thank all of you who supported this event and all who attended the Dog Party! The weather was a picture perfect day...at one point a friend of mine said to look up into the sky...there was not a cloud...we were being watched over. Some of the plans that I had in my head just went out the window as the event started rolling along. The Dog Party took on a life of its own. But, it was a good thing. All of the people and all dogs were having a great time. I met people that I had been emailing with and made new friends. What a glorious day to be able to mingle in a crowd of animal lovers! Everyone there was so proud of their doggies!I'm especially proud of the Claysville American Legion...The Legion Riders. If you were there at 10:30, you saw the most Patriotic Presentation that has EVER been at a Dog Party! The Washington Festival Chorale sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem as the Legion Honor Guard presented arms. Directly following that was the Pledge of Allegiance spoken by three troops of Girl Scouts.Early on, I found out that the Claysville American Legion was hosting a dinner for Veterans the same day as the Dog Party. They had busses of veterans coming from the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh. They had so much to prepare for to get ready for their dinner. I spoke with Tim, the President of the Legion, and tried to let them off the hook for our event. I told him that I would try to get another group because I realized that they were extremely busy that day. Tim wouldn't hear of it. He said they would be there. And was he right! A dozen Honor Guard members showed up in full attire and made me so proud to be an American! They are top of the line. They not only talk patriotism, they practice it! They also did a ride for the Pets for U.S. Vets and presented us with a very generous donation for the Veterans Fund at the WAHS. We thank them. They made the day!Then we had the wildly popular, (that's how I announced him), Rev. Dr. Stu Broberg giving a short sermon and then the Blessing of the Animals. If you thought that this would be your "normal", from the book sermon, you got a big surprise! Dr. Stu and the Washington Festival Chorale sang Amazing Grace with only the words BOW WOW, BOW WOW! Two verses of it!!! People were happy, you could see it on their faces. Then the Reverend read the Rainbow Bridge...I've been trying to keep going since June when my 14 year old coonhound baby Levi passed away unexpectedly. Some of you know how much I just wanted to quit and give up on everything. I loved that boy with all my heart and went into a deep depression. I had to fight every day to put one foot in front of the other to continue with this event. There were times when I couldn't get out of bed. If you saw me on the stairs crying when the Reverend was reading this, I couldn't help it...It all came to the surface...At that time, with my face in my hands, my brother John leaned down and said that he felt the same way...he had just lost his 14 year old Hershey, a beautiful little girl from the WAHS. A moment later, my friend Eileen's little shelter dog, Bailey, pushed my face out of my hands and started kissing my face...she knew...I looked around and saw many people wiping their eyes. We all had lost but continued to love...I hope that I'm always surrounded by this type of people.I don't know how to begin thanking everyone that was involved in this. It is truly overwhelming.I have to thank 84 Fitness Center's manager Lynn Osborn and Assistant Manager, Pete Valentino for giving us the ball park for the day. Many things are involved behind the scenes. There had to be repair work done and the fields had to be mowed. 84 Lumber was very generous with gifts and support. Plus, putting up with my meltdowns from time to time during the months prior was in itself a feat. I have to thank the WAHS for honoring my wish for a Veterans Fund and donating gifts and items and putting out information. Thanks to Alice the volunteer coordinator and Susan, Board of Directors, for working closely with me. John Lege, That Guy With the Birds, stole the show with his trained rescue birds. He and his assistant, Tracey, traveled many miles to get here. Staci Adams and her OG West Penn Shutzhund Club did a spectacular show on obedience and training. People were very impressed. Rick and Rose, as always , pulled off a fantastic Chinese Auction. They worked very hard selling tickets and keeping everything straight with that huge amount of loot that the people of our Community donated. Susan, from one of the local schools, sold jewelry and donated all of the $$$ to the fund! The A-Train guy kept the kids busy with train rides throughout the ball park. Erin the dog groomer cut toe-nails and did some dematting on tails and legs. The Singing Shelter Dog, Claude, kept us laughing as he made his dad play bagpipes until he was ready to sing. A special thanks to Petco for all that they did. Please support them as they are true animal lovers. They stuffed bags at their store with flyers, they donated food and gifts, they did free grooms for shelter dogs, they gave a donation to be a vendor at the event. Thank you, Deanna. Thank you to our 20 T-Shirt Sponsors ! Thanks to Marci on the west coast for setting up this blog! It has helped me to condense information. Thanks to the small group of wonderful people who worked in the trenches with me. My husband Jimmy did an amazing job supporting me through all of this and worked really hard at the event. Rich from the gym and Jimmy carried all of the tables and set up and tore down. The day before the event we found out that our corn stalks didn't survive a recent storm. True to her nature, Marge pulled through and located a farmer in the area, handed me a machete' and off to the corn fields we went! So, all of the corn stalks were hand cut, not $$$ spent out of our donations!!! Donna worked behind the scenes blasting emails and contacting people for donations. She worked late into the night for so long getting the word out there. Many days she sent out over 400 emails letting people know what we were trying to do. Mary Jo, Betty and Kathy were my team members with basket making, donation gathering, day to day set up preparations. Mary Jo was the decoration department and got me hooked on basket making and I look forward to next year's baskets. Betty didn't take any prisoners. She got donations for the veterans and didn't take no for an answer. Kathy worked the Pittsburgh area over really well. What a tough group of volunteers! Thank you to everyone who was a part of this drive in any way, shape or form. We honored our veterans who have kept us safe and continue to do so. We brought awareness to the plight of the shelter animals. We set up a "restricted" fund that cannot be used for anything other than adoptions for the veterans. We had the best Dog Party EVER! My husband and I were so busy and tired that we didn't take pictures. At one point my friend Pat, who sang in the Chorale, said that I was rambling on the microphone to my Mom saying things like" Hi, Mom what are you eating over there?" Pat knew that I was starting to lose it!!! If you know me, you know that I'm a picture fanatic. My three hounds get their photos taken on a regular basis. I'm asking anyone who has pictures of the Pets for U.S. Vets event to please send some to me so that I can put them together in a slide show. We can put it on the WAHS web site and offer them to add to our fund. Let's get some animals out of the shelter and into loving forever homes. Lynn just called me from 84 Fitness Center. Without knowing how much $$$ the WAHS made at the Furry Fall Festival with their banks and other donations, we have in our account over $5,500. We have minimal expenses to pay for, i.e. T-Shirts and port-a-johns, so we did extremely well!!! Just think of how many pet adoptions that will cover!!! Also, please send me pictures of the event. Thank you for everything! You are the very best of the best!!! If I forgot to mention anyone's name, you are in my heart. I really appreciate everything.

Your Pal,

Suzi Smith P.H.D. (Perfect Hound Dogs) dogparty84@aol.com

Saturday October 9, 2010

2010-08-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE

The theme for this Dog Walk and social event is

Pets for U.S. Vets!

84 Fitness Center and the Washington Area Humane Society have teamed up to start a special fund for our local United States Veterans. All of the money made at this event will cover the adoption fees of any pets being adopted from our local shelter by qualified veterans. Let’s see how many animals we can get adopted out of the shelter!

Back in the Spring, I asked Lynn Osborn, 84 Fitness Center Manager and Pete Valentino, 84 Head Personal Trainer/Assistant Manager if we could put on a dog walk to raise funds for our local shelter. They immediately offered the ball fields for the day. What started out as a Dog Walk at the ball fields has snowballed into a social event for people and their dogs. It seems to have taken on a life of its own.

Some of the events planned for the day are as follows:

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

9:30- registration and check in- $10 donation

(all entrants receive a one week FREE pass to 84 Fitness Center and a FREE Tanger Outlets coupon book voucher)

*KIDS 12 years and under and all DOGS FREE

10:30- Beginning "thank you" to all of our veterans past and present

Claysville American Legion Honor Guard presentation

Singing of the National Anthem by the Washington Festival Chorale

Pledge of Allegiance

11:00- Dog Walk around the ball fields

12:00-3:00-

Blessing of the Animals with Reverend Dr. Stuart Broberg

Vendor food for purchase

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

OG West Penn Schutzhund Club with Staci Adams

North Strabane Fire Department on fire prevention

Photos

Several fun games for people and pets:

(i.e. Silly Agility, Milk Bone Toss & Egg on a Spoon Relay)

Introduction of the "Rental Dogs" from the WAHS

Recognition of the WAHS Alumni dogs

Chinese Auction/Silent Auction-50/50

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

As the Dog Walk grew into something more, I felt the stress mounting. I worried about everything turning out right and enough people showing up to make our mission a success. I was reminded of why I started this walk in the first place as I stood at the WAHS door the other day. The sign posted on the door said that they could not accept any more dogs or cats at this time. There just wasn't any room. I looked inside and saw many tired faces of dedicated people who day in and day out try to take care of the masses. It's a never ending job...I know. I used to be on the Board of Directors and I was a volunteer walker and groomer for quite a while. Our community wants it to stay a no-kill shelter, as I do. But, along with that comes a responsiblity from the public. As a team, 84 Fitness Center and the WAHS will raise awareness of the plight of the shelter animal. We will introduce you to dogs that are "veterans" of the shelter. One of which I know has been there over a year...We will honor our local veterans and encourage them to adopt a dog or cat at no charge.

With your help, we can give our community a chance to be part of the solution...

Thank you, Suzi Smith

412-217-9059 dogparty84@aol.com

After the event, I'll post pictures...