"Spotlight" Elegance Set for October 9 at Kiana Lodge
 Fall party planning is in full swing and this year PAWS supporters will reap rewards for planning early. Spotlight on PAWS, our annual dinner auction gala (responsible for close to a third of the PAWS operating budget) will be more elegant than ever -- with live music, fantastic food, spectacular silent and live auctions, and the camaraderie of animal lovers in a gorgeous natural setting.
With an expanding suite of programs to meet community needs (see below), PAWS relies on the Spotlight dinner and auction to provide needed financial resources for next year. This year the ticket price remains $125, but our Board is providing extra incentive for early commitment. Until September 15, supporters can purchase event tickets for just $95 (leaving more in your pocket for enthusiastic auction bidding)! Early commitments also make our auction planning process much easier. Take advantage of the early-planning option here and purchase your tickets online, or call Mark at 206-588-9399.
Interested in donating an item or an experience for the Spotlight auction (or have questions about donations)? All donations are tax-deductible and are a great way to express your commitment to our community's pets and their people. Contact Liz Parrish at lizlizzard@comcast.net or click here to download a procurement form and letter. And lastly, for information on sponsorship levels for this year's Spotlight gala, click here for forms (pdf or Word doc.) and information or contact Mark@pawsbainbridge.org.
We look forward to seeing you and your friends on October 9!
Th e PAWS Buddy Brigade
PAWS is proud to announce its newest program, The PAWS Buddy Brigade. The PAWS Buddy Brigade visits nursing homes, senior centers, schools and libraries to bring comfort and relieve stress to those on the receiving end of loving licks and tail wags. Along with their human partners, dogs will help kids with reading programs, give companionship to seniors, even reduce blood pressure and provide other therapeutic relief that only furry friends can offer. Each human/dog team is certified through Therapy Dog International or The Delta Society.
- If you or your business is interested in scheduling visits from the PAWS Buddy Brigade;
- If you and your dog are already certified through TDI or The Delta Society and you would like to join one of our teams; or
- If you are interested in becoming certified with your dog and join our traveling teams,
 Please contact us at amy@pawsbainbridge.org.
To learn more about the certification requirements please visit
The Delta Society
Therapy Dogs International
Let PAWS pay for your certification: When you complete a minimum of eight visits in one calendar year as part of The PAWS Buddy Brigade, PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap will pay to renew your certification. It’s our little thank you for offering your time and service to our community that will so greatly appreciate it.
Pet Loss Support Group Offers Comfort and Healing
Most of us have be en through it at one time or another, but it's never easy. When a pet dies or disappears there's no standard protocol for handling the associated grief. And unfortunately, too often our friends don't know how to comfort us, or may not understand when we fail to "get over it" quickly.
Grieving a lost pet is always personal, can be intense, and quite simply lasts as long as it lasts. Like many of life's transitions, the pain of pet loss can often be eased by talking it through in a safe and supportive setting with others who have suffered similar loss.
Sharing stories, pictures, and relating our challenges in coping with the loss of our furry companions is what the new PAWS Pet Loss Support Group is all about. Facilitated by a professional counselor, group meetings are open to all ages. Jeremy Mays, of Collaborative Family Therapy, suggests you might attend one meeting or you might decide to come to three or to all six. You might share openly or perhaps you'll mostly sit and listen.
Attendance requires no reservation. There is no charge, although to cover our costs a donation of $5 - $10 is suggested. Meeting schedule:
Bainbridge Island Grange
10340 Madison Avenue NE
June 8th, July 13th and Aug 10th - 6:30 - 7:30pm
St Charles Anglican Church (Poulsbo)
20295 Little Valley Road NE
June 17th, July 15th Aug 19th - 10-11am
Depending on the response to this initial six-session trial, the Pet Loss Support Group could become an ongoing PAWS program.
W agFest a Huge Success at Fun-raising and Fundraising
With 70-degree temperatures and flowers blooming, WagFest 2010's "celebration of all things canine" goes down in history as undoubtedly the waggiest ever.
Seemingly all breeds of dogs (including lots of beautiful mixed breeds!) brought their families to revel in the full WagFest experience -- more than 30 vendors, excellent and entertaining demonstrations, competitive contests, and of course the 1.5-mile promenade around the perimeter of Battle Point Park.
The event raised more than $7,000 for PAWS' pet retention programs (pet food bank and veterinary financial assistance fund), as well as our Hartstone spay/neuter fund. Fundraising teams competed for the coveted WagFest Cup and other excellent prizes, with the AuntyMin's Pet Care team walking away with top honors and the 4-H Bow-Wowsers taking the youth category.
Dedicated competitors captured the bulldog bobblehead tropies and other prizes in a variety of canine contests. Congratulations to Jaden and Gracie (costume), Kol and Lucky (tail-wagger), Sophia and Lexa (look-alike), Lily and Lynda (talent), and Smoky and Arthur (wiener dog race).
A huge thank you is in order for this year's demonstrators, including the amazing Olympic Disc Dogs, the Emerald City K9 Freestyle Dancers, Officer Dale Johnson and Rusty from the B.I. Police Department, Judith Bell from BeauJes Dog Training, and the 4-H Bow-Wowsers Rally and Obedience demonstrators. Thank you also to Companion Animal Wellness Center for providing microchip services, to our contest judges (Rep. Sherry Appleton, author Susan Wiggs, and BITV reporter Liz Poland), to our dedicated volunteers, our generous sponsors and vendors, and to everyone who came out to enjoy the event.
Click here to view a variety of WagFest 2010 pictures, thanks to photographers Tony Johnson, Kim Hart, Robert Hollar, Jordan Taylor, and Amy Munns. Above photo Courtesy of Tony Johnson.
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Can you imagine having to give up your pet because you can't afford to feed it, or can't afford the medicine or veterinary care it needs? We're working hard to make sure local families don't have to face that horrible prospect. Friends of PAWS are pitching in to support two programs that help neighbors and their pets who may be having a tough time with the tight economy.
With new programs added last year, and more on the way in 2010, PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap anticipates needing 30-40 new volunteers to support its nonprofit work in support of pets and their people. Two introductory gatherings are a great way to get started, especially if your New Year's resolution is to "get more involved!"
your home to foster kitties, PAWS just might be a great fit for you. Other opportunities include working at various events, including the WagFest "dog walk and more" or helping before or during the annual “Spotlight on PAWS” dinner auction.
8820 Miller Road