For Donald

Donald had a rough first year. His original family moved out of their home, piling what they did not want in a heap out front. One of the items they didn’t want was this small black dog. Luckily, he was picked up by a rescue organization. Unluckily, he was -twice-selected for adoption by people who thought he’d make a cute little lap dog. Cute, for sure. Little-maybe. Lap dog? Not even close. Donald’s a terrier, a go-getter happiest when chasing a bunny/squirrel/woodchuck through the backyard or protecting the sanctity of his home from the depredations of mail carriers. Both families returned him, one in a month, the other in a week. And so he came to live with us.

We named him ‘Donald’ for Donald Duck, my daughter’s favorite Disney character, and we settled in for the long haul. Nearly seven years later, I’m eternally grateful that those other families rejected this sweet boy. He belongs with us. We belong with him.

I am also eternally grateful to Forever Home Rescue, the organization responsible for rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing Donald and many thousands of other dogs. Without FHR, many if not most of those dogs would have ended their lives in the high-kill shelters of the rural South.

FHR charges an adoption fee, but those fees cover only a small percentage of the cost of their work. For the rest, they rely upon a small army of enthusiastic volunteers, and donations. Lots of donations. That’s where Pour Richard’s enters this picture. Every year, we host an event called Bubbles & Bark, to benefit Forever Home Rescue.

The $10 ticket is a 100% donation to FHR. Bubbles & Bark includes lots of delicious beverages-bubbly of course, but also big holiday-worthy reds, beer, spirits, and cocktails. And dogs-the FHR volunteers usually bring one or two seeking adoption, but we also see a lot of ‘alumni’ dogs. It’s a crazy, fun, and very tasty day.

But the best part of Bubbles & Bark is simply this: somewhere, another dog may live to find his or her ‘forever’ home because you helped. Donald and I will both drink to that. So please join us next Saturday from 2-5 PM. And bring a friend, canine or otherwise.