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...
A Hound Dog's Guide to the New Year
In Honor and Memory of our U.S. Veterans
"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
Pets for U.S. Vets Patriotic Presentation
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!
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
"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.
