FurkidFunfair04

Participants, please check your info (fill in, and/or correct names) and get back to me. If I don't get right back to you, that would be the aol mail buggies working overtime. Try again in a day or so - thanks!

Most grand English mastiff Belle was indeed the belle of the ball as honored guest and Grand Marshalette for the Parade of Rescues. Two- and four-legged creatures great and small strutted their stuff for the crowd while Miss Lilly rode in her own fine carriage representing Col. Potter's Cairn Network. Find rescue and other links including Belle's incredible survival story at the end of page.

The whole day added up to success beyond imagination. Guests - canine wonders and their humans - came from as far away as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Several dogs adopted new forever people, vendors profited, significant animal welfare money was raised and memories like no others were made.

Despite a wicked wind, and very little going exactly as planned ... we're already working on next year, tentative date: September 10. Direct inquiries to: happyathomepetsitting@hotmail.com

These LWDs (little white dogs), now officially known as the Westie Six-Pack, were an attraction all by themselves. Mom and Mom, sisters Karen Jensen and Cindy Johnson, are Westie Rescue of Missouri volunteers in Arkansas. Nothing less than a miracle got the whole gang here all in one piece, unbelievable they all appeared in costume too!

LWDs were everywhere ~ going on a conservative guess, the majority owe their lives to WRM. As does my new baby (LWD below), who quite possibly set her own record for rescue transport miles.

Mid-Westie (not quite all) Miss Emma Lee, formerly known as Tulip, meets Flashbulb, Snapshot and their best buddy. The trio donated their clowning skills.

Man-in-Black Howard Tate, Boomer Times editor and event emcee, walks the walk with a visitor from the planet Balloonia. No surprise how easily the two established immediate rapport ~ sorta like that Vulcan mind meld thang.

Two-year-old Q-tip and Cotton, 4 months, from O'Fallon won Scariest Costume as Devil Dogs. What's that you say? A non-angelic Westie?

Thank you for including PALS in the Furkid Funfair. The dogs really enjoyed being outside and all of the attention they received from the fairgoers. It was a good experience for them to be out and around all the different animals, although they weren't too sure about the ponies. We met several people who had adopted from PALS previously and got updates on them. I had fostered one of the kittens for several months so I was really happy to see her new mom again! Cheryl, Pets A-Lone Sanctuary

Robin's Pony Express donated rides. Before anyone gets bent, all Robin's animals are meticulously cared for, and many are rescues. Not necessarily from abuse, some were "get-rid-of" cases. Every kid needs this kind of opportunity to eliminate fear possibilities and promote humane behavior in general.

The young lady in the cart was a great help with the kissing booth. Another young lady, Madison Windels, summed up her experience very nicely and to the point - from Mom Regina, "About the pony ... she told me she needed one of those! 'It was fun!'"

Bob Kuban, best known for the '60s hit, "The Cheater," was on hand to award the "Cheatin'est Critter" prize for the best survival (cheating death or otherwise gruesome fate) story. Above, Bob and a high school classmate reminisce over a yearbook.

My name is Chance and I'm a free-year-old West Highland White Terrier who lives in Illinois. My cheater story goes like dis:

I was born a poor white Westie in a nasty puppy mill. I neber knew my parents cuz I was taken away from dem at a young age. I still suffer from anxiety cuz of dat moment, but I put on a brave front.

After I was taken from my mom and Westie brudders and sisters, I was sent to a pet store in Iowa where I had to live in another cage - at least dis one was cleaner! People poked deir fingers frew da cage, some would hit da bars and it would scare me sumphin terrible. Da store would put us puppies in a pen where folks could pet us and some of dem didn't pet nicely. Dey petted way too hard! I still brace myself at times when folks pet me, even dough I know my mom won't let dem pet me hard. I still fink dey might.

Well, two people came and bought me. Dey were older and dey fought I was too active as a puppy, so dey brought me back. Den, a younger couple bought me. Deir dogtor told dem I had some problems wiff my skin, so dey brought me back. I didn't, but deir dogtor put me on a line of shots dat are for MANGE! I didn't have mange or nuttin like that, but I still had to finish dese dumb shots!

Well, da pet store people didn't want me anymore, so dey called da person who sold me to dem (dey call dem a broker) to come get me. Dey weren't berry nice. Dey took me to a local dogtor to have me PUT ME TO SLEEP cuz, as dey told da dogtor, I "was a waste of time and money." WELL - da nerve! Dat dogtor was mad! He told dat person dey had to sign me over to him and he would take care of me at da end of da day. Well, he sure did! He was NOT going to put ME to sleep - I was just a puppy! So, he called da local shelter and off I went. Dey were berry nice and gave me my first toy - I still have it! It is a green and white tug rope all my own. It was da first time I had sumphin of my own, but all I really wanted was my own mom and dad.

I was at da shelter for a month and no one came to adopt me. I was startin to be a sad puppy, so da nice shelter wady called Westie Rescue of Missouri. Dis woman named Angie came and got me from Illinois. She said she would foster me 'til she found me a home. I remember when she opened da cage door. She smiled real nice and I was finking - Are you my mudder? She petted my head and let me ride next to her da entire four hour trip back to her house. I kept looking at her finking - Are you my mudder?

Angie had free other dogs, another white dog like me named Gracie and two Yorkies, named Riley and Chewy. We had lots of fun playing and I had dis place to romp in wiff grass and dese funny critters to chase called squirrels! Gracie and Riley showed me all da ropes.

Well, Angie found a nice couple to adopt me. Dey drove over from Indiana and spent da evening wiff me and Angie's family. I crawled up over dat woman's shoulder as we walked away and looked at Angie who stood on her porch watching me go off to my new home - Aren't you my mudder? I asked her ... but she didn't hear me ... or so I fought. Sumphin called worry was seen in Angie's eyes.

Da berry next morning dat wady called Angie and said her other dog didn't like me at ALL! So, Angie left work telling her boss he could fire her if he needed to, but she had to come get me. So, Angie drove to Indiana and met da woman who was crying as she handed me over. She really was nice, but dat other dog was MEAN as a snake! On da drive back I laid in Angie's lap and kept looking at her and asking - Are you my mudder. Den, sumphing weird happened - Angie's eyes started leaking! (I knew she was my mudder!)

Well, another home was located for me - dis time in Kentucky. Angie spent lots of time on da phone wiff dis family. Deir home was checked and dey seemed perfect - and dey were - only dey had another dog from a rescue dey just adopted who it turned out didn't like other dogs!! Sadly, da week before I was to go home to dem, dey called and said it would not work out as deir new dog was not getting better wiff other dogs and dey worried a puppy might get hurt. Dat night Angie and I laid on da couch and I kept looking at her, asking - Are you my mudder?

Well, it turned out that Angie's brudder had an old golden retriever and a Westie dat was my age. Dey decided dat Angie would foster me 'til da old golden passed away. Only, he and I had a whittle talk and I told him, "Wook, Angie isn't da brightest bulb in da pack as far as humans go, she is my mudder so you need to stick around a bit longer so I can get her to understand dis - okay?" Da old guy understood and as time went on, Angie came to realize - I WAS HOME! (Sadly, soon after dis realization, da old "General" died, but I am berry grateful to dis day for him hangin' on for me!)

Dat night of clarity was a wonderful one! I wicked and wicked her face cuz I was so proud dat she FINALLY came to understand what I was trying to tell her all along - YOU ARE MY MUDDER!

So - I got da name of Chance cuz of all da chances I had - more dan most dogs left behind in puppy mills and pet stores. I wonder to dis day if my Westie mudder and fadder ever made it out alive - or did dey die, cold and lonely, forever wondering if dey would eber have a mudder and a fadder who would love dem like mine love me? I sure hope so. However, as long as people keep buying from pet stores, dogs like my mudder and fadder have to live and die in cages wiff no one to love dem and give dem a "chance" at da real life.

From Angie: WRM sent out three adoptees this weekend. This is Dodger, with the nerve-damaged paw, most likely caused by getting it caught in a puppy mill wire cage. His new mom's other WRM dog is named Chance because she felt he had a new chance at a great life!! Dodger will be seeing a specialist in Mom's area to see what can be done for his paw.

Poodle Mimi shows off a complete poodle skirt outfit, but of course, Westies must have Westie skirts!

Pink Lady Trio Spokesdog Phoenix accepts the award for most original costume with a hearty Aroooooo!

WRM Volunteers
Kris and Jake, Carolyn, Brenda, Luann, Ethel, Marj, Paul and Pam

I too want to thank everyone for putting on such a nice event. We are honored to have been picked to receive funds. Although we did not adopt any dogs that day we had lots of folks stop and pick up literature and buy items from our gift shop. Can't wait till next year. Carol Dickison, St Charles Humane Society

We had a great time at the event and can't wait till next year. Thanks for letting us participate. We did adopt two dogs (pics below), and we have people coming back this weekend to look at a couple of others. We sold some crafts, t-shirts and cookbooks too. We should thank Veticare for the use of their sinks and bathrooms too! Holly, All Paws Rescue

Bridget is about a year old and was found as a stray in the city of St Louis. She was a little leery of other dogs at first, now loves playing with other dogs.

Mike was amazed how many people recognized Tulip/Emma Lee. I have only parts of her loooooong story, probably never will have it all completely straight. Doesn't matter, it's only important that the baby girl I needed is home now, forever. She is the perfect definition of "Little Dickens" (there's a classic Boomer line) - lotta pup left, very busy all the time, then she'll conk out right in the middle of kissy face and hugs. The sleeping angel ...

I can't possibly properly thank everyone who had a hand in saving her. I hope all will keep the group effort in mind whenever the inevitable sad stories come around. They're all special in their own way - Westie/Mid-Westie, pure royal blood/who knows what - or why they also happen to be a special pain in the butt. This one little miracle stands for some kind of equability in a world that can seem so full of rotten people. "Lady Justice" is learning to type now. Her own educational columns will be appearing soon. Pretty big paw prints to fill, Miss Liberty was the first journalist in the family.

Lab/shep mix Sugar Bear had the good sense to wander into a WRM volunteer's friend's yard. He is young and very sweet. Apparently a run in with a car broke a leg which healed on its own, crooked but functional. The leg will be properly set - after some quiet time to heal, Sugar will be good as new!

The above was his Shani's Shelter and Bogey's Brigade listing in Boomer Times. Luann brought him from east Missouri to attend the fair and meet his foster mom Sherry.

Sherry sent an update around, and then told me, "Feel free to use anything you need on the Sugster - he's a barrel of fun!"

Sugar Bear has done so well I left him uncrated last night (Sunday). He's an exceptionally bright, happy guy, willing to learn anything (except don't eat all the cat food). He hasn't perfected "knocking on the door" yet like Meara does when she would like to go out, but he's getting me trained. He and Meara play from morning til night .. play till they drop, sleep for about 1/2 hour then go at it again. This is terrific for Meara (10-year-young German shepherd) who is in good shape, but lonely sometimes as she doesn't feel the cats are up to her standards. She is an exceptional foster mom and has trained many fosters for me. Re: Me adopting Sugar Bear, probably not going to happen as my husband, Ernie, already periodically threatens to call the police on me for being over the pet limit. I'd say he has no sense of humor but he didn't scream as loudly as I thought he would when Sugar Bear peed in the house in front of him five times the first day. Oh well, the couches have some yellow color to them already anyway.

From Luann: I am terribly sorry about Sug marking in the house. I don't know what got into him. He was a perfect gentleman here for two months. He never did any marking or had any accidents. I am mortified! All I can think of is maybe he didn't mark here because I have a very dominate male Westie who threatened to bite Sug almost every day. However, I have never seen that make much difference when a dog wanted to mark.

Sug does love to play. But, he was way too big for my Westies. He always overpowered them and just made them mad. I'm so glad he's got someone his own size he can play with. Thank you so much for helping Sug. I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

Back to Sherry: Not to worry about marking ... he's already getting through it. He is just an absolute sweetheart ... what a good guy! He has been so good for Meara, who gets bored out of her mind sometimes (she travels with me as much as possible during cooler weather ... not much in hot weather since she's double-coated and the heat is hard on her). They've played until they almost pass out. Sugar Bear is a good eater, could be a little food aggressive unless he's corrected. Smart as a whip and very eager to please. Loves everybody, especially kids. I'm thinking at one time he had children in his life. He's even got my old crabby cat kissing him, though not often. I am thoroughly enjoying him.

To anyone in rescue, the above is just about "normal" - so is the next part, until you get to "cut her teeth."

I have no qualms about denying placement of my fosters if it's not a good fit and have refused numerous placements no matter how adamant the people were (which they don't realize cuts their chances completely). The few times I have had to let a dog go to the humane society they never place it without a home visit (or several) and me interviewing the potential new family personally after the shelter's initial interviews. When fosters good travelers they are with me at all times possible to give them additional experience and exposure. We go to the dog park, down to Main Street, pet food stores, anywhere they can experience different situations plus enhance their adoption prospects. Usually I foster behavioral or trust issue animals ... rarely puppies as Meara was a breeder and is very uncomfortable with puppies.

Whoever had her, cut her teeth and god only knows what else before they dumped her with milk still running but no pups in sight; weighing 32 pounds (now a comfortable and trim 75 pounds) and frightened of everything imaginable.

I'm very protective of my animals including fosters. One of my fosters was here for 8 months, until she was comfortable with life and could be placed in an excellent home where they love her like she deserves.

If you're squeamish, skip down to next section. Cut teeth was a new one on me so I asked. Unfortunately, very little surprises me anymore.

Sometimes female breeders begin to get aggressive when their pups are repeatedly taken from them. They may bite the person taking the pups or kill the pups so they can't be taken away. When that happens, if the breeder does not destroy the dog (which they usually won't if she's a successful breeder), they will cut one or more of the canine teeth so the dog cannot get a solid bite on anybody or anything. No anesthesia, usually done with cutting pliers or similar type tools and the nerve root is left exposed until it dies, eventually. Meara had three of her canines cut off, only one full upper remaining. Her lower front teeth are badly stained beyond repair as she cannot chew with them due to the missing canines. Side teeth, molars, etc., are in excellent condition.

On with the good stuff ... a wedding!

wedding.jpg (24806 bytes)

Yes, it was nice getting together with the rest of the crazy people. Remarkable results considering the whole thing started as a simple idea for a best baker contest because Rose had to have more of the brownies she discovered at a sale held several months ago by the St. Charles Humane Society Bakin' Babes. For those who hadn't been following the updates: http://www.therealmartha.com/FurkidFunfair/index.htm

The rest of the story in typically tasteless tabloid tattler style:

Rumor: Brownies obtained at a recent SCHS bake sale were found to contain an addictive substance.

It’s true! Rose English, Boomer Times publisher, swore she "had to have more!” Adding, she would go to any lengths necessary to track down the source, “That was one brownie experience I’ll never forget. I gave a full description, right down to the pan they were baked in. I will know them when I see them again.”

After an intense, county-wide investigation failed to reveal the source, an elaborate and deviously clever “sting” operation took shape in the form of a “special” Bake Fest to be held among the attractions scheduled for the very first Furkid Funfair to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1551 Wall Street (east end of the Regency Plaza Shopping Center) in St. Charles.

Hosted by Bogey and Shani English, Boomer Times official canine reps, the fair will open with kids of all ages and their rescued best friends marching in the Grand Parade of Rescues.

And so it went from there ... except for the health department's nix on the tasting part of the plans ... ergo, no contest/no dollar stuffing of ballot boxes. The city tried to pull a few other cuties but soon found out it ain't such a very good idea to get between Rose and a mission. Especially not when certain people giving OKs had no clue about regulations in the first place. Shoulda been a movie of the week.

Epilogue: Brownie Arts Master Jill Koch fessed up, and firmly stated, without a shred of remorse, "I'll be back."

The weekend is over, the wedding, the fair, and the party, but the memories will never be forgotten.

This weekend was not just about a group of people getting together for fun, but about love for our furfriends, and the friendship they are responsible for creating.

Rose outdid herself, and I for one know next that year will be so big she is going to need some extra help, so I will be searching the Web for ideas to help get people out and to help them understand why the millers must be stopped

I was so proud of all the furkids, they did all they could do to make us happy. Bogey was like any groom, scared, but he sat there and took all the cheers and pats on the back like a man. They let us dress them up in all kinds of outfits, and for some this took a little doing. Just ask Phoenix, the sleeves on her pink top just kept growing longer and longer as she walked.

Bullitt tried to stop and read all the good luck messages all the other dogs left behind for wedding party, but no time, he had to keep moving ... the show must go on.

Best of all, these LWDs brought so many people together, we have a bond so great I know it will last a lifetime. And then there were memories of three very special little ladies who have passed on to the Rainbow Bridge and left their moms with broken hearts. Before they left they made sure they brought us together, they knew some day we would need each other. I know those angels are watching over us.

I have a couple of regrets, one is there was no camera on whenever I met a new face so I could put names and faces together, and the other is not holding Stormie enough. I sometimes forget that she is just as needy as Faith only she has been taught not to show it by her so-called show dog days. She will get lots of lovin' on the way home and lots of two on three time at home.

Each of my furkids has given me a very special "gift" - not always tangible - but very real and very special all the same. Homeless was my first "rescue." He opened my heart to awareness of abandonment and made me realize what a difference you can make in these dogs lives ... how incredibly deep their love can go for you and how grateful they are - every day - for saving their lives. Shani came along and introduced me to WRM. Although I joined TC with Shani, it was actually Bogey who gave me the gift of The Terrier Club. Much, much deeper than that, the friendship and love I experienced firsthand this weekend from people who beforehand were friends but limited to e-mail or a voice over a phone. I felt an incredible connection of the heart to both Eve and Pam. These two, along with many others I have worked with and come to know well in the past months working on this event have transferred over from friend to family. Sue Drombetta, Angie, Luann, Carolyn, Kris, Ethel ... the list goes on and on. For lack of a better word I will call them fur-sisters because they are sisters in my heart.

If not for Bogey I would never have met all the wonderful people I did the past few days. Like I have said in the past, he is always the one who touches me the most with the most simple things. He moved me to tears several times this past weekend (which trust me - does not happen often). We (the TCers and my crew on this end - Martha, Sherry, Carley, Cami and Howard) did much, much more this past weekend than just put on a successful event - we cemented a true family. We raised spay/neuter and puppy mill awareness, and we have only just started on that with the FurFair. There were times that you could actually "cut the love with a knife." The fair will be an annual event. We have a whole year to plan and we learned a lot. No way was this weekend just an event. It was an experience of a lifetime for many of us. An experience that will stay in our hearts as long as we live and there is no possible way that I can thank everyone involved enough for letting me be a part of that experience.

PS - Iggie has only been here three weeks - so his "gift" is yet to be determined ... lol

Have to get this in ... I was truly amazed to overhear a potential adopter talking about "getting rid of" previous dogs. Oh yes, she went through the whole list of the usual, pathetic excuses. Much as I wanted to, wouldn't have been quite appropriate to haul off and slap the idiot, or open my 99 percent purely politically incorrect mouth. This would be why I so dearly love publishing (read that venting) on the Web, because I can. But I digress ... back to why I brought that particular idiot up. Swiped from All Paws Rescue: We do not discriminate against anyone for reasons of race, religion, politics, gender, or sexual orientation; but reserve the right to refuse adoptions based on the information we interpret from these forms, with regard to legalities, and the pet's needs or requirements. http://www.petfinders.org/shelters/MO199.html - Thanks, sorry I didn't ask first - I have a feeling nobody will mind. Keep right on doing exactly what you're doing!

Rescue Parade Grand Marshalette Belle is walking around, literally, thanks to All Paws - the full story: "A Heart that Wouldn't be Broken," http://www.creaturecomfortsinc.com/BellesStory-Print.htm (much more flattering pics too)

Belle is also featured on one of my favorite pages ... kids and critters, up close and personal: http://www.therealmartha.com/ChowBaby/index.htm (several new if you haven't been there lately, plus a few you'll probably recognize even if you've never been there)

The Westie Six-Pack ~ more pics and rescue stories: http://www.therealmartha.com/DogFun/index.htm

Other participating organizations:

Saint Charles Humane Society
http://www.stcharleshumanesociety.org/

Westie Rescue of Missouri
http://www.westierescueofmissouri.com/

Col. Potter's Cairn Rescue Network
http://cairnrescue.com/

Pets A-Lone Sanctuary (PALS) of Lincoln County, Missouri
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/MO26.html

Animal Shelters United
www.animalsheltersunited.org

Sponsored by Boomer Times
http://boomertimes.net/index.html
Check out more fair and wedding pics on Boomer site

http://www.therealmartha.com/rescue/index.htm
More of what rescue is all about

Puppies are so cute, but ...
http://www.therealmartha.com/puppiesaresocu/index.htm
Spay/Neuter Myth Busting article is there too, help yourself to reprints. Lib's pic (answering any questions about Em's irresistibility) and official bio/credentials also included.

Never too early to sign up for next year! The earlier you register, the longer your site links and/or contact info will be available.

What am I missing? Comments/questions/suggestions/better pics: MarthaJones1@aol.com