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)
Hudson Lee Gets Adopted at DogParty!
WAHS 2001 Alumni Hound Speaks Out
"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
Legion Riders raise $ for the Veterans Fund
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!
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
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
2nd Annual Dog Party
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,
The Next Step
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.
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,
