Doggy Dundee

G’ Day, Mates!

The city of Ashland, Oregon is setting for the largest (and most fun) 4th of July parade, and each year decorated volunteers with Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) strut shelter dogs, wave cat adoption posters, present shelter “alumni” with their new parents, and spread good cheer along the one+ mile route. The crowd always goes wild and cheers when the FOTAS contingent approaches, and the crowd of 20, 000+ in attendance along the route are bequiled by the exuberant shelter dogs.

This year Doggy Dundee walked shelter dog, Austin, a tiny chihuahua (quite a difference from walking Chase), and whenever he tired, Austin leaped up for a short respite in my arms (not likely to happen when walking Chase).

Most people in the crowd were unaware that the woman walking Pierre the white poodle shelter dog was the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival actress, Vilma Silva, who is starring this season as Julius Caesar in the hit play, Julius Caesar (Yes, a female Julius). Vilma also happens to be a regular FOTAS dog walker and a member of the FOTAS Board.

That same morning another group of FOTAS volunteers put their best paw forward at the Eagle Point, Oregon parade, decorated one of the shelter trucks with streamers and a huge Scooby Doo stuffed dog, while the truck’s stereo blared out the song, Who Let the Dogs Out? They won the First Place Blue Ribbon in their nonprofit category (2nd year in a row!).

These parades cause great interest in the shelter animals, and influx of donations, and many additional visits from prospective new pet owners who come in to see the dogs and cats at the Jackson County Animal Shelter in Phoenix, Oregon. Again, Doggy Dundee urges my mates to “Adopt a pet from an animal shelter.” And if you can’t own a pet where you live, why not volunteer with a shelter group to help a shelter dog or cat stay happy and well-trained so they’re more easily adopted.

Good on ya!