Clean Your Paws for a Good Cause

Thanks to everyone in the community who supported our first dog wash fundraiser.  We welcomed 54 participants on Sat., June 26, 2010, and we appreciate you bringing us your dirty dogs!  We had a range of dogs to bathe--from teacup chihuahuas to german shepherds.

We raised about $1200 through your support.  This fun event seemed to be enjoyed by all--even most of the dogs, who all behaved very well. 

Host of the event

The Country Dog, 951 N. Solano, was our gracious host.  Tammy Prahl and daugther Courtney lent us their wonderful do-it-yourself dog wash tubs and the supplies we needed; they also made us fresh popcorn to snack on.  They stepped in to offer expert advice when we neeeded it, and Tammy helped trim some dog nails toward the end of the event when our volunteer groomer, Julie Miller, was busy helping special-needs dogs.

Event sponsors

Blue Ribbon Pet Sitting and The Las Cruces Petsitter's Guild sponsored the event.  Blue Ribbon owner and operator Lisa Westbrook parnered with us on planning and putting on the event.  She and her husband, Paul, created the dog wash display that was at Calista Animal Hospital for a couple of weeks leading up to the event, and they also put together the big doggy raffle basket prize, which winner Jennifer seemed to be happy to receive from Lisa (pictured below).  Thanks to Barnett's Harley Davidson for donating some of their dog supply items for the basket.

Event supporters

These businesses are appreciated for lending a hand at getting the word out about the event:

American Classifieds
Buzztown.com
DogCruces.com

Thanks to Calista Animal Hospital for making space for the dog wash display and posters, and thanks to the other vet offices and community bulletin board locations that let us post our event flyers.

We also appreciate the Las Cruces Sun-News for sending a reporter and photographer to cover the event and the Las Cruces Bulletin for sending a photographer.

Volunteers

APA was able to put this event on because of the support of 19 volunteers who checked in the dogs and took turns washing them.  Thanks to all these wonderful people for helping out:

Michelle Archuleta
Jean Babb
MJ Cammack
Eric Dorn
Jean Gilbert
Sharon Glazier
Amy Jo Gonzales
Linda Hall
Richard Herrera
Barbara Jusinski
Michelle Mattocks
Chris Mauer
Michel Meunier
Julie Miller
Judy Morris
Pamela Needham
Emily Paredes-Mauer
Caitriana Steele
Lisa Westbrook

Unitarian Universalist Church Animal Blessing, July 2011

Tucker (above) and his companion, a friendly chihuahua mix named Chloe, are foster dogs looking for a new home; if you can give a small dog a good home, contact Chris at 575-373-4507.

Dogs Deserve Better
Chain Off Demonstration

On July 3, 2010, we were at the park in front of the Branigan Libaray on the corner of Main and Spruce; a handful of advocates came out to help us get the word out that dogs deserve better than life at the end of a chain or in a small pen.  For more information on this national demonstration, visit www.dogsdeservebetter.org.