WOOFSTOCK Shelter Pets Showcased, Celebrated

HARRISON – The Clare County Animal Shelter and the Harrison City Market teamed up last weekend for WOOFSTOCK 2019. This was the second such event, one designed to showcase shelter dogs available for adoption along with providing vendors and entertainment which are geared to the love of dogs. There were even shaped cookies: brown bones and red fire hydrants available for donations accepted to defray HCM expenses – the bones went fast, definitely making them Best in [Bakery] Show.

Along with information and a chance to expand the family, there was a photographer onsite who could capture that special family moment in a photo. And who doesn’t want ALL the “kids” in that photo?

One of the participants this year was Betty Sprague and her shelter-adopted delight Dusty. Sprague said the shelter described Dusty as a Yorkie-poodle cross, and that he is estimated at 2-3 years old. He also has the distinction of being the 2018 WOOFSTOCK Best-Dressed in Theme winner. Not surprisingly, he was dressed in his best tie-dye scarf and coat [an adapted baby’s onesie].

Sprague had much to say about the companionship her dog provides, as well as how much his dependable good nature and youthful enthusiasm can mean. She noted that her family has assured her that Dusty will always have a home, regardless of what the future brings to the family. Sprague also said little Dusty has a disdain for scarves, and that if the groomer places one around his neck, as soon as he and Sprague are in the car, he stands against the console and extends his head toward her so she can remove it.

Sprague said it is great fun to dress Dusty in the tie-dye ’60s garb, but that she wishes more of the participants had joined in the fun this year. Manning her table as a market vendor of crochet needlework, Sprague used her space that day to also display Dusty’s award from the previous year, along with a photo of the two, accompanied by a note stating: “This is my mom + I love ‘her’!”

And at the end of the event, while she was speaking, little Dusty was busy either resting on the cool concrete floor or wiggling and giving Sprague a beseeching look, as if to say, “Can we please go home, Mom?”

Learn more about the shelter’s efforts to make sure all pets have a safe, reliable home and a caring family by calling 989-539-3221 or visit www.facebook.com/ClareCountyAnimalShelter. Or, perhaps just visit the shelter at 4040 Hazel Drive, north of Harrison to find a special “fur baby” to make the family complete – maybe one who is a potential tie-dye entry for next year’s WOOFSTOCK?