Crisp, white tent tops pitched toward blue skies while festively colored satellite tents lined the forest edge. As Audra and I drove past The Animal Hospital ’s sweet, wooden footbridge arching over a pond surrounded by rolling green hills, excitement coursed through to my toes. The tents and grounds were soon to be filled with solid, spotted and striped dogs and cats of all sizes and shapes – animals from 25 rescue groups in New York State’s Capital Region – and more than 3000 people.
Our darling dogs, chauffeured by volunteer escorts, cheerfully smushed their faces into the lawn and lolled playfully on their backs as Steve Caporizzo, News 10 weatherman and Pet Connection host, welcomed people to meet these furry guests of honor. And, as Steve predicted, the sun would shine and adoption applications would pour in.
Country music from WGNA 107.7 livened things up until the talented fingers of Vinnie Leddick, singer/songwriter often headlining at Saratoga Springs’ Sagamore Hotel, danced across his guitar. All day long, folks shimmied and shook, scratched the chins of plenty of dogs and cats, and dined on mouth-watering delicacies served by Creo and Bountiful Bread. In return for the eats and entertainment, guests brought thousands of dollars in pet food donations for rescue – enough to stuff solid a 6′ x 10′ trailer!
In a grand community effort, local businesses provided more than 40 donated gifts valued at over $6,550 for the Raffle and Auction. There were big winners, to be sure, walking away with Yankees Tickets, full dinners, a year’s worth of pet grooming and more.
The biggest winners were the adoptable pets. There were face-licks, belly rubs, treats, walks, and even a few dips in the pool. Our five dogs received 8 applications from beautiful people with huge hearts and welcoming homes.
Jesse, the dog everybody’s heart went out to, is now romping with a senior dog friend, two playful yet gentle little girls, and two parents who have a heaping helping of patience, love and desire to offer a wonderful life to all involved. We sincerely wish there were three of Jesse to go around. All applicants were truly superb. We’ll be busy lining up four more home visits this week for lucky dogs Bristol, Miles, Duffy and Seve, a poodle mix who as waiting to enter our program. There are 14 great dogs like him who we’ll be bringing in soon. Watch our website for new listings in the coming week!
Pet Adoption Day 2012
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A serene spot to host a spectacular adoption event!!
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The big tops!
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Smiling all the way to the tent...
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Good times with soon-to -be good friends.
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The people are coming! The people are coming!
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Looking for a friend.
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The Animal Hospital
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WGNA is in the house!
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Steve rings in the adoption event of the year!
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Dr. Becker keeping everybody cool...
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A second lot of cars is full.
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The line is out the door!
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I smell watermelon gazpacho!
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Drooling...
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Excellent service!
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Hmm. What's going on here?
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What's in the big box?
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Riflng through the raffle.
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Awesome goods to support rescue!
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Rescues everywhere!
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Time to pet Panda!
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Getting busy!
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Lisa Caporizzo, Tim Clune and Lisa Neals of The Healthy Pet Center
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Looking for the next awesome adopter!
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Venna from Pack Ethic got a home!
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The Silkie Strutt.
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Sitting pretty.
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Let's play a game. Can you catch my picture?
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Can you catch me now?
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How about now?
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Posery in motion.
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Making introductions.
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Quality time.
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Treat me, please!
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Lip licking good!
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Miles of Smiles!
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Lisa and Bristol, reunited for another day.
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Your chin tastes like Bountiful Bread!
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Priceless playtime.
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Filling out an application!
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Pool party!
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Staying chill.
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How can one resist?
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And the people just keep coming.
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Goodies for good.
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So many stories...
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Holy cats!
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Panda in the pool!
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Trading calling cards.
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Poolside play bows.
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Shake! Rattle and Roll!
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Dawn Niebuhr and our beloved Panda
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Jessica has things under control.
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Bristol is a treat monger.
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Meeting on your level.
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Making the rounds.
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Big brindle hugs...
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Blind and beautiful!
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Introducing the entertainment...
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Vinnie Leddick
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Vinnie and Michelle Leddick
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Crooning... on a Saturday afternoon.
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Cheers for the music!
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Jessica and Audra - on a mission to match-make!
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Say cheese... and chicken!
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Marlene captures some critters.
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She's giggling. I'm sure of it.
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Silly People
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Silly Puppy!
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Will you find me a good home?
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Being a good pal.
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Kisses!
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Georgia and Duffy
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Feeling the love...
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Face time with Dr. Lexi Becker
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Thank you, Georgia!
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Smile! You're on Dog House Camera!
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Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
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Walkies...
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Bristol's just too cute.
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Bristol's making friends.
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Kate and Bristol
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Bark4Green Treats
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Look, it's a family!
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Meeting her new dog.
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Head Scratches
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The Benson's Crew
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Benson's Healthy Treats!
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Tim Clune with Lisa Caporizzo
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Steve Caporizzo, Kim & Tim Clune, and Audra Bentley
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Steve Caporizzo with Eric and Bob of Pack Ethic
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Dr. Ed Becker and his crew, still smiling!
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Happy family seeks new member!
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We are tremendously grateful for the hard work of
- Drs. Ed and Lexi Becker, Melinda Schwoegler and their entire staff
- Steve and Lisa Caporizzo
- All the cheerful event staff
- C.W. Whalen and Sons for the tents, tables and chairs
- The Hiawatha Trails Executive Golf Course for donating 2 golf carts
- Carpinello Ice Company for keeping us cool with a 500 lb ice donation
- Creo and Bountiful Bread
- WGNA 107.7 and Vinnie Leddick
- The Animal Hospital for offsetting the cost of each adoption by offering each adopted pet $75 in health care
- Pet Connection for offering an additional $50 for each adopted pet to directly reduce the adoption fee
- And every single donor, volunteer and attendee who cares about rescue
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A heaping helping of thanks goes to our very own dedicated volunteers: Georgia Rella, Jessica Zindle, Marlene Wagner, Lisa Drury, and Kate O’Hara. The dogs couldn’t have been there without you. Their success is your success. Be very, very proud of what you have accomplished together.
FACE LICKS TO YOU ALL!
This post is in honor of Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, a special online global event held on July 23, 2012 stressing the importance of dog adoption. BTC4animals.com is proud to partner with Blog Catalog, Dog Rescue Success and YOU to harness a global online community to help save the lives of dogs in need.
Our eco-friendly site is powered by 100% renewable energy. Yours could be too. 
Thanks to all who participated in Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue! What a turnout of stories highlighting the joys of rescue pet companionship!
It sounds like you had a great event, and so glad Jesse found a wonderful home so fast! Good luck matchmaking with the other four.
Looks like a great time was had by all! Wishing forever homes and loving families for all the rescued pets!
Thanks, Kim! Today, a VERY busy day, we’re doing three home visits and another is coming up fast. Our program is almost out of dogs! 14 more Rensselaer County strays are jumping at the chance to enter our program and we very much look forward to bringing in a whole new pack. The website will have a whole new and wonderful crew very shortly!
So glad to hear that the event went well!
I am so sorry I missed this post the first time around Kim. The pictures were awesome. The roll of grass was my favorite. How is Bristol doing? Do you hear from her and her owner?