Memory of Monroe Scottie Rescue
13th Annual Scottie Lover's/Rescue Reunion
September 24, 2011
The Scottie gods and angels smiled upon us on September 24th as we celebrated all Scottie and especially, the rescues who have gone through the memory of Monroe Scottie Rescue organization. We had a beautiful day with lots of sunshine.
Rescue was steady throughout the year. We had 27 special dogs that were part of our Class of 2011. We celebrate their entrance into our program and we are so happy to see them doing well with their new families.
Volunteers turned out in full force on Friday to help us set up and unpack all the goodies for the auction and Scottie store. Linda Morris, once again, got all the items ready for our lunch on Saturday, and several strong individuals got the tables set up and all kinds of other pre-picnic tasks completed. It was fun to see the tables come to life with great Scottie and Westie items. We also want to thank Sue Storms for setting up the Scottie Store and for holding all the items most of the summer! Alexis Todd also helped a great deal with the Auction. Peggy Gerold took care of the demos and helped with many other tasks. Thanks to ALL the volunteers who gave up a part of their weekend to help us. We couldn't do it without you!
The weather was beautiful. We could not have asked for a better fall day. It was just the right temperature for the Scotties!
We had some great demos! Karla Dixon, from the Annandale Veterinary Clinic, gave an excellent talk about first-aid and Scotties. Joel and Kay Addison did a great job with their grooming demo. We've had them in prior years and everyone loves hearing about grooming their Scotties!
The Class of 2011 was introduced and led into the stage area by our long-time bagpiper, Scott Bartell. The families of these dogs introduced their rescues and were warmly received. It is the best part of rescue -- seeing the dogs with their new families.
The Spirit of Tessa Award goes to the current year's rescue dog who shows the tenacity, will to live, and gumption despite the odds being stacked against them. The award is in honor of a darling rescue girl named Tessa who underwent years of abuse and neglect in a puppy mill only to be saved for research purposes. After her work was done with veterinary students, she was scheduled to be euthanized. An angel rescued Tessa, and yet another angel, Susie Fett, adopted Tessa and gave her the life she so richly deserved.
We broke tradition with the Spirit of Tessa Award and awarded it to a very deserving family. The Santibanez family adopted two older Scotties this past spring. Roscoe and Robbie's former family experienced some significant life changes and could no longer keep them. The Santibanez family had fostered a Scottie previously for another group and fell in love with the breed. They put in their application, and when Roscoe and Robbie came up, there was no hesitation with taking on two older Scotties. The family also has an elderly German Shepherd and two young boys. Throughout the adoption process and subsequent health issues with Robbie, they did not look back and focused on their commitment. They personified the Spirit of Tessa as they dealt with their new situation, and we could not be happier with the outcome.
Sharon and Bob Dodds generously donate the Gary Penke Meal Deal award. This is a random drawing and given in honor of Gary Penke, who loved to eat and loved to feed his dogs, Aunt Stella and Heidi. The award is a $50 certificate to Petco and another $50 certificate to Cub Foods. This year's winner was Ray Gorski.
This past April, we lost our dear friend and adoptive dad, Bob Popelka. Bob and his wife Paula have done so much for Memory of Monroe over the years. They have sponsored the June Bug Spirit Award and have helped with fostering and transportation as well. Previous to Bob's death, they lost two of their three Scotties, June Bug and Peaches. It has been a rough year for Paula, but she is doing well and adjusting to her new life. We send her our love and support. The blessing of the animals was especially tough this year with the addition of Bob and several others
We closed out the program portion of the picnic with a blessing of the animals performed by our friend, Tim Forsman. Tim always knows exactly what to say. We also had a balloon release in memoriam to the Scotties and Westies who were adoptees of Memory of Monroe who have passed away since our last picnic. The Rainbow Bridge list was the largest in our history, and we hope that next year, we have fewer names. It is important for us to honor and remember these sweet dogs.
Sulie Owned and loved by Kathy & Kris Savaloja
June Bug
and Peaches
Owned and loved by Bob Popelka and Paula Stuettgen
CJ Howe
Owned and loved by Pat Gordy and Tom Steyer
Keller
Owned and loved by the
Reyner Family
Sadie and Shadow
Owned and loved by
Jan Seeger
Irma
Owned and loved by Shirley Kohler
Stanley
Owned and loved by Andrew Baker
Bailey
-- Owned and loved by
Connie Ball and Mary Rock
Scottie
Owned and loved by Lori
Gazda
Dillie
Owned and loved by Greg and Sue Beltramo
Annie
(Anne Margaret) Owned by Sharon Ross & Kevin Aspenson
Angus
Owned and loved by Greg and Marie Northup
Tessa and Goldie
Owned and loved by Dick and Dottie Lesmeister
Scottie
Owned and loved by Lue Demskie
Sarah
Owned and loved by the Pashina Family
Hammie
Owned and loved by Dave and Sara Volk
Lily
Owned and loved by Ray Gorski and Donna Zittel
Dakota
Owned and loved by Joel and Kris Nielson
Bursar
and Maisey
Owned and loved by Brenda and Garrett DeWitt
Danny
Owned and loved by John and Sherrie Single
Kallie
Owned and loved by Peg and Dave Krahn
Zoe
Owned and loved by Cherry ONeal
Chloe
Owned and loved by Ellen Martinez
Gabe
Owned and loved by Tom and Sharon Rustmeier
Tommy and Annie
Owned and loved by Sandy DiNanni
Rescue Friends
Barb Piontek
Loving owner of Hunter and Leshia who passed away in
September 20, 2010
Marilee Lipp
Loving owner of Darcie who passed away on December 11, 2010
Tammie Schommer
A special woman who volunteered for Memory of Monroe at the picnic and human
Aunt to Billy Nelson, who passed away December 22, 2010
Bob Popelka
A
special man who will be remembered for his generosity, love and fondness of his
dogs.
Adoptive dad to Mac, JuneBug and Peaches who he is now
again reunited.
Bob passed away April 10, 2011
Our raffles were won by:
Scottie Weathervane - donated by Rosanne Kubicek, was won by Melanie Bisson
Scottie Lamp- donated by Sue Storms, was won by Carol Johnson
The Fitzroy Quilt - crafted and donated by Kim Magnuson won by Troy Wetherhult
Our auction, raffles and Scottie Store bring in much needed funds for the year. We thank everyone who donated, purchased and volunteered. We could not do this without all of our supporters!
Crossroads Animal Shelter in Buffalo, MN set up a booth and sold some wonderful items to benefit their shelter. We are nuts about their crate pads and the rescue dogs here enjoy sleeping on the nice, comfy pads. The designs are adorable with many Scottie patters! Thanks to John and Stephanie Wisecarver, Susan Brouse, and Karla Dixon for joining us! Also thanks to Cherry O'Neill of Tail End Productions who sold some of her lovely items!
Keep the date of Saturday, September 22, 2012 on your
calendar for the 14th annual Scottie Lover's/Rescue Reunion.
Our annual Scottie Rescue calendars
are available, and they're just adorable!
Thank you again to everyone who volunteered, attended, purchased and donated. We could not do this without you!