Pooches with Purses

Calling all pups. Grab your purple purses (or just your leash and your human) and get ready for the Pooch Parade. It's a fun, family oriented event with adorable pooches, a blessing of the pets, raffles, and even free biscuits. And your pooch will leave the event in style with a new kerchief... and maybe even a pawdicure (only $5 for nail trimming). All the proceeds benefit Wellspring's survivor services and prevention efforts.

Wondering what's the connection between pups and a domestic violence agency? You know Wellspring helps individuals and families be safe from abuse. But sometimes we forget that in a home where there's abuse, every family member can be a victim... and that includes our furry, feathered and finned family members.  Wellspring has a Safe Pet Partnership that provides temporary foster homes for pets, while their families are in shelter. Then when they find a violence-free home, they can all be reunited.

Our friends at Adirondack Veterinary Services, and our event chair Maribeth Wallingford, invite you to join Andy, my dog with a purple purse, at the Pooch Parade. We'll also be recognizing the dogs that work hard helping others, our local K9 dogs and also our friends from Therapy Dogs International.