For the week of March 10, 1999  thru March 16, 1999  

Giving paws a hand

Commentary by PAT MURPHY


It’s the best of all worlds when people with a sense of civic responsibility come together to raise funds for a worthwhile community project and laugh while doing it.

You had to be there, as they say, to understand why Saturday’s annual Paw ‘n’ Pole cross-country fundraiser for the Animal Shelter of Blaine County was such a kick for dogs and dog owners alike, and for others who simply came to watch the hilarity at the Sun Valley Gun Club.

This was the 14th year for Paw ‘n’ Pole, which says something about the durability and genius of the original idea floated by Bobby Noyes, and thereafter a testament to the persistence of participants and volunteers to make the annual fun event work and succeed.

So this year’s Paw ‘n’ Pole came off as all the others – financially successful and an amusing spectacle of costumed cross-country skiers and their costumed mutts all following a Western theme.

For a real rib-tickler, picture this--a dachshund with a miniature covered wagon strapped to his back. Or, the Lab costumed as "Rhinestone Cowboy" with a sequined vest and sequined garter belts.

Other pooches were costumed as a dance hall girl, pistol-packing cowboys, even as a steer with makeshift horns.

It was this sort of festive frivolity with a serious purpose that drew a record 100 racers, a record number of sponsors paying $500 apiece to attach their names to the event, a record number of people buying chances on an Hawaiian trip for four persons that produced a record gate of $14,000 for the Animal Shelter.

That’s 14 percent of the shelter’s fund-raising goal this year of $100,000 – and a stunning six fold increase over last year’s Paw ‘n’ Pole gate of $2,400.

And here’s what makes this event so worthwhile: Of nine shelter dogs brought to Paw ‘n’ Pole, and wearing "Adopt Me" blankets, three were adopted on the spot.

And 7-year-old Hailey Zanes, the event’s youngest volunteer, was so moved by the shelter’s work that she’s holding her birthday party at the shelter.

It’s a pity an Animal Shelter needs to exist to care for castoff canines and felines. But so long as domestic animals are in need of homes, and caring attention, it’ll be there.

Happily, a cadre of people in the Wood River Valley understand the humane necessity of a shelter, and are willing to devote themselves to the likes of Paw ‘n’ Pole to meet the shelter’s increased financial demands.

Just how devoted are folks involved in the shelter’s success?

Paw ‘n’ Pole this year saluted Ketchum business woman Lyn Stallard, who has served on the board of directors and held one volunteer post or another at the shelter for 24 years.

The community deserves a round of applause for such devotion to the welfare of animals.

Murphy is the retired publisher of The Arizona Republic and a former radio commentator.

 

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