On December 5th the RVHS hosted
its inaugural Photos With Santa day at the shelter and the turnout
and support was amazing. Thanks to a great bunch of people (staff,
volunteers and board members) who made this fund raising event
a huge success. Special thanks to all those who came out to support
us and to the wonderful dogs and cats that brought them. Everyone
had a great time and for those who couldn't make it here are
some photos of those who let us have so much fun.
The staff and volunteers were
at the shelter early (and having fun to boot) to make sure the
visitors had the best possible experience.
Lady was on hand to help
get things set up.
Serving as head elf, Meghan Preston
from K9 Care was there all day with her infectious smile and
love for the animals.
Kelly Lizarraga from the Mulberry
Tree in Grants Pass made up some great cookies, pumpkin bread
and brownies (with special custom RVHS labels she had made) for
the bake sale which was also a huge success and fund raiser for
the shelter.
Animal behaviorist and experienced
dog trainer (and elf) Gidget Walcha gave Santa a paws up.
Mrs. Clause (RVHS Volunteer Coordinator,
Diane Mead) was set up to process the photos as soon as they
were taken. Right out of the camera people could see their photos
on a computer and choose the ones they wanted prints of. This
was done while they waited.This was an experiment for all concerned
and all things considered the day went very smoothly.
RVHS Treasurer, Linda
Bradley-Lloyd got in on the fun.
Shelter staff on hand
were Tylene, Tanya, Manager Margaret Varner and Josh.
Santa was having fun
with the test shots including Tanya and Mom.
To get the camera settings
for the animals was Santa's very own Lady.
At 11:30 a.m. sharp, leading
off the parade of dogs who donated to see Santa was Max who owns
RVHS President, Susan Beldman. We were so busy we didn't get
the names of the other visitors pets but here are photos of them
asking for - what else, bones for Christmas!
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Shelter manager Margaret Varner
practices what she lives - she has three BIG rescue dogs and
they are a hand full!
Suzanne Fien, wife of
RVHS board member, Bill.
There were several young volunteers
exercising and playing with the dogs. Here one posed with one
of Trooper's pups who are now up for adoption.
Two more Trooper pups
with volunteers.
"I love you, Santa!"
Tylene's gentle giant.
Now this is a family!
Dogs just wanna have
fun....
During a break the gang had more
fun. Fun is one of those hazards when you love your work.
RVHS Vice-President June
Peterson got her turn in the hot seat.
"Glad to meet you,
sir."
"Now give me a biscuit!"
Finally, there were two special
guests who were specifically invited by Santa. The first was
the now famous, Truman. His partner brought him in for a reunion
at the place that saved his life. The entire place went nuts
when they came in... it was like a rock star had entered the
building. The
Truman Fund
What a guy.... what a
story of success.
You've followed her trials and
tribulations in the Grants Pass Daily Courier. The other very
special guest was Freedom and her brood who, had it not been
for the dedicated staff at RVHS, would not be alive today. She
was within an hour of dying when she was dumped at the shelter
with 9 puppies still hooked to their undernourished umbilical
cords. Eight of the puppies survived and are now thriving. Freedom,
in spite of her rigorous puppy feeding schedule, is up from a
meager 38 pounds to a much healthier 47 pounds. Her pups are
still a few weeks away from being adoptable and she too will
be needing a special home. But the bottom line is they have all
received more love in the last month than most dogs get in a
lifetime - and they deserve it. Freedom's
Story
Merry Christmas from
all of us at your Rogue Valley Humane Society.
Rogue Valley Humane Society
429 NW Scenic Drive
Grants Pass, OR 97528
Phone: (541) 479-5154 Business hours: Mon through
Sat from 12:00 to 4:00 PM Closed Sundays
Email: rvhs@budget.net
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