Celebration of Pets, a fun way to help

  • Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Winners of the pet parade gather on the gazebo steps. They are, from left, first place Sustrialian Sheper aka Super Dog, “Jojo,” with owner Susan Lindsey; 1st winner of the feline category with a cat named “Bark,” in the stroller and owner Gabby Campbell; Hannah Cook with Dex the diabetes dog. Hannah also swam 5,570 feet and raised $4,300 dollars for a pet rescue group; event coordinator Linda Vanderlaan. In back is 2nd place winner Henry, with owner Ann Cyphers.
    Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Winners of the pet parade gather on the gazebo steps. They are, from left, first place Sustrialian Sheper aka Super Dog, “Jojo,” with owner Susan Lindsey; 1st winner of the feline category with a cat named “Bark,” in the stroller and owner Gabby Campbell; Hannah Cook with Dex the diabetes dog. Hannah also swam 5,570 feet and raised $4,300 dollars for a pet rescue group; event coordinator Linda Vanderlaan. In back is 2nd place winner Henry, with owner Ann Cyphers.

    By Linda Vanderlaan

    Columnist

     

    To all who came and supported the Celebration of Pets on Saturday, Sept. 17 — thank you. The day opened with prayer and singing of the national anthem, "Star Spangled Banner," by Hannah Cook. It was a fun day with lots of participation from local pet lovers and dogs galore.

    In addition, dogs graduated from “Walk with Me Dog Obedience,” where I am the instructor, with their AKC Canine Good Citizen award. Puppies also graduated and received their “S.T.A.R. “award from AKC. The obedience classes donated $2,000 to the Pet Celebration effort.

    The auction was a grand success. Lots of items from our local businesses were donated. Our auction ladies, Michele Poole and Karen Vaughan, worked diligently obtaining items from businesses. Thank you ladies and thank you to all of the business that participated and helped by donating items and certificates. Hopefully, this will introduce new clients to your businesses.

    Pastor Dwight Moss did the “Blessing of the Pets” which is always a Pet Celebration favorite.

    The rescue groups were set up and had lots of information about their facilities and what they do to help the dogs and cats that need rescuing,

    Animal Rescue Financial Support new to this event and the Pet Celebration had a great raffle to help support our area's needs.

    A new addition, the kid’s area, overseen by Mitzi Shepherd and her daughter Lynna Dalton and sponsored by Valley River Humane Society was a “kids carnival” featuring four games that kids could participate in and win prizes.

    PAWS of Blairsville’s Ed Able ran a great food court with yummy food choices including hamburgers, egg rolls, chips and soda.

    The guest who came and spent the day with their canine companions had the opportunity to talk with dog obedience trainers like our very own “PAWS for a Warrior” of Hayesville, Bill Buck. He has been training dogs in our county for 11 years. Buck trains dogs for veterans. He trains emotional support dogs, service dogs and therapy dogs.

    The agility course set up by Debbie Meigs and Denise Peterman was a big hit. Their trained dogs demonstrated how they can maneuver the course and what fun it can be. Peterman and her husband run “Critter Haven” where we can have our pets cremated.

    If you wanted to see X-rays of your dogs or cats, you could visit Dr. Z from Union County Pet Hospital. They set up a booth every year and are a great asset to the Celebration of Pets event.

    Finally, thanks to the volunteers that Young Harris College sends over. Jessica Homesley works with Dr. Burr and the committee and provides volunteers from the school and the girls' volleyball team. They are a great asset to the day. Willing volunteers to help carry, set up and take down displays. A big thank you goes out to them.

    A great big thank you goes out to all of the folks who came out and supported this event. Our county rescue groups need your support emotionally as well as fiscally.