2021 Nationals in Kalamazoo-Best Fundraising Year Ever for Rescue
AND Exciting news for NGWPR-Grant awarded from Good Dog
GWPCA Nationals September 30-October 10, 2021
Leslie R. Dye, MD, Treasurer, National German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue
The specialty events at the Kalamazoo Kennel Club began outdoors with beautiful summer weather, including warm temperatures and sun, but the regional specialty event on Sunday was moved inside due to rainstorms. Well- bred, amazing examples of the breed could be seen everywhere. After the cancellation of the gathering in 2020 due to COVID, everyone was happy to reunite in 2021. The children’s stuffed dog show and costume trunk-or-treat activities were enjoyable for spectators. The field events were held in Iona, Michigan and began on Monday, October 4.
The Nationals event is traditionally the largest fundraiser for the NGWPR, and this year was no exception. After the dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, silent auction items and raffle products were displayed. Raffle tickets were sold with the assistance of the lovely Kaylee Wagoner. Her incredible smile was hard to resist. Multi-colored baskets filled with various canine-related items, from leashes, toys, and balls were mixed with Christmas baskets, amazing wildlife artwork, books, and more. Silent auction items included a beautiful leather satchel, an automatic ball thrower, and pampered chef items, among others.
We are so grateful for everyone who donated items for fund raising. Many of the unique creations were donated by GWP-loving artisans who are members of the GWPCA and/or are continued supporters of rescue. Special recognition goes to Angie and Mike Johnson and Jodi Quesnell. Angie and Mike videoed and provided live feed for the event for a fee that was donated directly to the rescue. Jodi, who is in charge of editing the upcoming yearbook, offered purchase of the cover, an extremely coveted item, as a silent auction item for the rescue. Another special thank you goes to Sylvia Miller, who assisted in the rescue fundraising efforts both nights. As a result of such generosity and kindness, the rescue raised more this year than ever.
Exciting News for NGWPR-Good Dog Grant Awarded
The NGWPR was awarded a Good Dog grant for Project Hope and our work on early detection of thyroid detection. The purpose of the grant, developed by Good Dog, is to “support Clubs in an effort to build a better world for dogs.” The rescue board, with the help of Robin K. Nelson, DVM, has developed a process to make it as simple as possible for fosters, adopters, and veterinarians to obtain the correct specimens and ship them for appropriate testing with all costs covered by donations to Project Hope, including this much appreciated grant. For more information on Project Hope and hypothyroidism, click here. The rescue is grateful for the generous support for this important project from Good Dog.
Meet Ben Holmes, Our New Webmaster
The NGWPR is fortunate to have a new volunteer as our webmaster. Ben Holmes is a middle school band director in Granbury, Texas where he lives with his wife, Hannah, a speech pathologist, and their rescued GWP, Mabel. Their rescue adventures started with Fletcher, a Great Dane who they rescued from the side of the road where he was dumped. Unfortunately after 4 years of a wonderful life, he succumbed to pneumonia. Soon after the loss, the couple was introduced to the GWP breed by some friends, and they loved the attributes, including their reputation as healthy, tough, but also loving dogs (particularly the description as “Velcro”). They found Mabel at a local rescue, but after his interactions with Suzanne Oslander, Ben realized the volume of dogs the national rescue handles and wanted to get involved. “I was thrilled to see a volunteer position open for running the website. I am thrilled to be a part of this great organization and assist in helping people find their GWP companion.” Welcome, Ben. Thank you for your help.
About Us
National GWP Rescue is a nationwide rescue program whose volunteers work tirelessly to provide funding, foster homes, medical care and training for GWPs found in shelters, animal control facilities and to those GWPs whose current owners are unable to provide a suitable situation.
Working hand- in-hand with governmental and local shelters, NGWPR provides a safe and responsible home for GWP’s in need. Placed with an experienced GWPCA member, fostered GWPs that have been neglected, untrained or have medical issues quickly blossom as they are readied for their “forever” homes.
Prior to releasing our rescued GWPs for adoption, volunteers provide obedience, manners, and house training. We hold to the philosophy that a mannerly dog has a better chance of fitting into a new household.
NGWPR believes that Wires were designed to hunt and unlike some other rescue programs, we are happy to place dogs with field experience or bird instinct with potential owners who enjoy hunting behind a Wire. However, NGWPR insists that any rescue dog first be a house dog and companion, then a weekend hunting partner.
Please go to our website to learn more.
http://www.nationalgwprescue.com/
Click here to donate to NGWPR
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