TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pooches Spoiled For A 'Paws'

Photo by Jenny Kaminski

Hillary Stewart, center, helps Linda Earles, left and Doris Darga bathe Kelly, a Lab mix, at Suds ‘n Summer, a fundraiser for the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort animal shelter in Ruskin.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - It was raining all dogs last Saturday during the Suds 'n Summer fundraiser at Give A Dog A Bone.

"We got slammed and quit counting after 50," said Hillary Stewart, the shop's co-owner and event organizer. "It was a really surprising turnout. We'll definitely do it again."

The dog wash was a fundraiser for the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort animal shelter in Ruskin.

Stewart invited her friends Doris Darga and Norma Gordon, who help her organize the monthly Yappy Hours at Cherry's Bar & Grill in Apollo Beach, to participate in the event. Gordon owns Cruzin' K9 Cuts, a mobile pet grooming service based in Apollo Beach, and Darga owns Camp Bow Wow in South Tampa and has plans to open another in the Balm-Riverview area.

Originally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event was extended an hour because people were eager to participate.

"We actually started early because one dog owner was already waiting at the shop with two boxers," Stewart said.

The three women, Stewart's husband, Michael, and CARE volunteer Linda Earles bathed and pampered dogs of all sizes. Some had big attitudes, such as Chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers, and some were just plain large, such as boxers and Labrador retrievers.

"As we were about to close, this guy brought in five huskies. Of course, we took care of them. They were our last customers," Stewart said with a laugh.

Baths were $5 per dog; conditioning, $2; and nail trimming, $5.

"You couldn't beat those prices," Gordon said. "A bath alone at a groomer could cost $35."

The event raised more than $400 for the shelter.

"It's great," said CARE President Don Hinderliter about the donation. "We plan to use the money for Mattie, a Shih Tzu we rescued from Hillsborough County Animal Services who was scheduled to be euthanized.

"He's already wagging his tail again."

To donate to CARE, call (813) 645-2273 or visit www.careshelter.org.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT