Canine Advocates

Fundraiser A Success

To the Editor:

“Keep on Truckin’ with Canine Advocates was a lot of fun” and “What a wonderful family event” were among the comments heard at Fairfield Hills on Sunday. The fundraiser for a New Pound for Newtown was the idea of our amazing Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason. She co-chaired the entire event with me — how wonderful it is to have such cooperation between town volunteers and animal control.

Special thanks to our Newtown Police Department for their fantastic support. The demonstration by Officer Andy Stinson and Baro held everyone’s attention. Their performance was equaled only by Underwater Search & Rescue’s Fergus. Both Fergus and Baro were top dogs at this event.

Canine Advocates also thanks the United Fire Company of Botsford and their Chief Wayne Ciaccia for providing food and a truck at almost a moment’s notice. What would any event be without food? Thanks also to Newtown Hook & Ladder and Newtown Ambulance for bringing their trucks. Thanks to everyone who brought their trucks, tractors, and motorcycles to be admired by all.

Brookside Farm’s baby alpacas and goats were so gentle and adorable. Every child and adult had to stop and pet them as they paraded around the field. Thank you, A.J. Collier. Joanna Hehir’s Service Dogs, Lucy and Gandollff, were as gentle as they were big and fluffy. Many children stopped to have a picture taken with them. Thank you, Joanna.

Our thanks to Sally Lynn MacDonald for her full-face paintings; they were works of art. Many thanks also to Michelle Belknap, John Tucci, Ellen Adriani, and Robert Lee Harris, who all provided their own special touch.

Thanks and tremendous applause to Michael Dran and his unique musical system for providing all the cheerful music which could be heard even as you entered Fairfield Hills, setting the tone for a happy afternoon. And a big thank you to Security Guard Brian Chesley, who was a great help with setup, and anything else we needed.

Last, but not least, thanks to all our Canine Advocates volunteers who helped all day, and to everyone who attended and supported this special cause. It was a great event and we plan to make it even bigger and better next year.

Virginia Jess

48 Apple Blossom Lane, Newtown                             August 7, 2007