The Puppy Bowl contenders were more interested in snoozing than touchdowns at One of a Kind pet rescue’s Casino Night fundraiser. But the six four-legged players were so doggone cute, a collective “ahhh” went up when they lay down on the field and fell asleep before halftime.
The stakes were high for those wagering on the outcome of the game at the event held at St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church in Fairlawn on July 20.
“Place your bet to win $100 in “fun money,” Paula Speck Danish cried in her best carny voice as she beckoned a gathering crowd around the handmade gridiron.
The fun money could be redeemed to play Texas hold ’em, roulette, craps or blackjack in the church’s huge adjoining hall.
The event, chaired by One of a Kind’s director of advancement, Georjette Thomas, is the largest fundraiser in the history of the West Akron animal rescue group.
In March, Thomas used every bit of her persuasive powers to convince a dozen of her closest friends to attempt the Las Vegas-style party that drew more than 200 people.
“I really wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Thomas said.
“I told them I really needed them to climb aboard and help make [the rescue] some money.”
It was hard to tell that committee members, who wore pink bow ties to distinguish themselves from guests, were not professional party planners.
Danish, who is Thomas’ sister, was in control of everything at the puppy gridiron game, except the puppies.
She said being in the limelight really pushed her outside her comfort zone.
“I’ve been a wife and a mom for 25 years. It was really a stretch for me,” Danish admitted.
But there was little she could do when the pups “threw in the towel” and ended the game.
“One fell asleep on his back with all four of his little legs up in the air,” Danish said with a sigh.
Early in the evening, only one pup, a member of a litter borrowed from Paws and Prayers pet rescue, tried to get some action by pulling bandanas off her brothers’ necks, Danish said.
“She was the only female on the field and the only sure bet,” she said.
The event shows what a group of women can do when they set their minds to the job at hand — especially for a cause they all believe in: rescuing and finding good homes for society’s throwaway animal population.
Thomas’ committee fanned out in early spring and began tapping friends as they sold tickets with one hand and asked for donations of items for the auction and raffle with the other.
The women set up food stations for every discerning taste and then prepared all the food themselves.
Thomas even corralled her husband, Brian Thomas, and brother-in-law, Bob Danish, to tend the bar, which turned into the biggest money maker of the night.
The only professionals connected with the evening came from Beach Boyz Entertainment, which provided a disc jockey to spin tunes and dealers to run the games.
The event grossed more than $22,000 for the rescue.
“That’s really phenomenal. It’s an example of what can happen when women come together for a cause,” Thomas said.
It couldn’t have been possible without the support of the community, she said.
“We want to thank all our donors from the bottom of our hearts. The money will be used to make lives better for homeless animals.”
Other animals in the news
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic — Summit County Public Health in cooperation with Pet Guards Inc. is offering rabies vaccinations from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Summit Lake Community Center, 380 W. Crosier St., Akron. Vaccinations are $8 per animal. Information at www.scphoh.org/ENVIRONMENTAL/ENV-VectorControl.html#rabies .
Kitten Krazy’s Quick Fix Spay and Neuter Clinic — Congratulations to the clinic at 930 Lafayette Road in Medina on performing its 10,000th alteration on dogs and cats. The Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the winner as the clinic, which opened July 1, 2011, hit the milestone. The SPCA received a free spay/neuter and a gift basket valued at $150. The clinic performs cat neuters for $35 and spays for $50. Dogs are fixed depending on weight starting at $75 for neuters and $85 for spays. Call 330-558-7540 for more information.
Dog Daze — GivePetsAChance is holding a fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Norton, featuring food, vendors, raffles and treats for the dogs with the proceeds going to the animal nonprofit. Admission is $5 or a donation of pet food, blankets or cleaning supplies, to be distributed to area animal shelters. For more information, call 800-436-0426.
Pet Carnival — North Royalton Animal Hospital is hosting a carnival from 1 to 4 p.m. on the North Royalton Green at Ridge Road and state Route 82. The event will feature children’s activities, K-9 demonstrations, vendors, donkeys and a horse. Proceeds benefit GivePetsAChance, Cleveland Animal Protective League and Wags for Kids. For more information, call 440-237-0614.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.