I want to share a story (and some pictures) with you. You may not have time for it, but I hope you do as it's a nice story for the holidays. This is basically the tale of 75 puppies/small dogs and one, big snowstorm. (And for those squeamish like me: it's a happy story!)

A brief time ago, Colbert Veterinary Rescue Services (CVRS) in Colbert, GA, saved 75 puppies and small dogs from high kill facilities in their area. These lucky animals were rescued in order to bring them north to a large adoption event where they could find their "forever" homes. (There is demand in the north for small dogs and puppies and a gross oversupply of them in the south.) Shortly before the event was to take place its lead, northern sponsor dropped out.

TAILS, the organization I volunteer with, heard the plight of these pups and stepped in to organize an event in a neighboring town of ours, Norwalk, CT. The event was called “TAILS Puppy Palooza” and Best Friends Pet Care graciously offered their large doggy camp room for the weekend as well as a very high level of enthusiasm and much promotional help. Things were coming together - albeit quickly as both TAILS and CVRS had a mere two weeks to do promotional and prep work from their respective locations.

Despite all of the planning on both ends, Mother Nature had her own agenda: a massive, record-setting snowstorm. CVRS, who started driving significantly earlier than anticipated, ended up having to pull off at a truck stop in Staunton, VA. The weather forecast was grim: 5-8" of snow that night and another 5-8" the following day. The decision was made to bunker down...although with 75 puppies/dogs you can imagine that wasn't as easy as it sounds.

All of the hotels/motels were full as travelers were forced off the roads. They came to a Comfort Inn in the small town of Wyethville, VA, and were initially told that the Inn was full (families were actually sleeping on the floor in the hallways!). A little further into the conversation with the Inn's staff it came out that this wasn't just a few folks looking for a place to stay - there were actually 75 of man's best friend in tow as well. Hearing this, Melissa (the Manager) thought a moment and came up with a great workaround: they offered their indoor pool space for the pups to remain safe.

But the story doesn't end with the generosity of Melissa, Kim and the rest of the wonderful staff at the Comfort Inn (...although it is fantastic!) – there’s actually more:

As word trickled through the halls of the Inn about the pups, guests started to come to see for themselves the kindness offered by the Comfort Inn. It's easy to turn your back - as the Comfort Inn could have done, but didn't. And apparently generosity must have been in the air as these guests joined with Colbert and offered to help care for the critters: walk (outside!), socialize, feed, puppy-pool-watch duty, clean up after, etc. It's a huge task to care for so many animals in an unfamiliar area with limited resources. The staff and guests truly put "Comfort" into the Comfort Inn.

The following morning the decision to postpone Puppy Palooza was a simple one as they'd closed the interstate (I-81) and there was only one way to go: south. After further help from both staff and guests, Colbert packed up and headed back home with their still-safe furry charges.

As we in the north struggled to get the word out to potential adopters that our event had been postponed (even though there hadn't been a snowflake from the sky) - we joked that while all of this was going on the pups were "lounging poolside." Everyone on our end was understanding too, albeit disappointed, and glad the animals were safe.

The event has been rescheduled for the weekend of Jan 9-10th at the same location (Best Friends, Norwalk, CT) and with the same cast of two and four legged characters.

And these pups will clearly be the luckiest pups on earth that weekend.

Happy Holidays everyone! :)

Best,
Dorrie             (scroll down for photos)