Guest Blog by Lisa Lunghofer, Ph.D.
Executive Director of The Grey Muzzle Organization
Summer Smile Campaign and Calendar Contest
SUMMER SMILE UPDATE
Last month we launched our Summer Smile Campaign and Calendar Contest. Thanks to the generosity of more than 130 supporters, this past Sunday we hit the $10,000 goal for our brand new dental fund for at-risk senior dogs. Even better, we’re thrilled that Summer Smile Campaign sponsor TopDog Animal Health & Rehabilitation continues to offer a matching gift of $2,500! Now through the end of the campaign on September 16, every dollar we raise will be doubled, up to $2,500. All of the donations will go directly to support dental care for senior dogs, improving their overall well-being and increasing their odds of being adopted into a forever home.
Your Contributions at Work
Bosco is a 14-year-old rat terrier mix who is currently up for adoption at Tyson’s Place Animal Rescue in Jamestown, Michigan. Tyson’s Place assists terminally ill people with caring for and finding new families for their pets. Tyson’s Place Founder Jill Bannink-Albrecht explains, “Bosco came to us after his beloved owner died in hospice care. He was pretty traumatized the first few weeks in his foster home dealing with the loss of his owner, but he gradually became acclimated to his new surroundings and has blossomed.”
When he arrived at Tyson’s, Bosco was overweight and had an infection caused by rotting teeth. Thanks to a Grey Muzzle grant, Bosco received a dental cleaning and had nine teeth removed. Now he can eat without pain. He loves going on walks, something that his ill owner could no longer do, and has lost quite a bit of weight. Thanks to the great care he has received he is in excellent health and his youthful energy has returned. He gets along well with dogs and cats and loves being around people. He sleeps in bed with his foster parents and cuddles with their teenage children. Bannink-Albrecht says, “Bosco’s favorite thing to do, along with walks, is to stick his head out the car window and just let the fresh air hit him. You can see the pure joy on his face when he has his head hanging out the window.”
Last Chance to See Your Pup in our 2017 Calendar!
We want to see YOUR grey muzzles’ smiles! Support the Summer Smile Campaign and enter your senior dog in our 2017 calendar contest. Simply make a tax-deductible donation to our Summer Smile Campaign and then upload a favorite picture of your senior pup at www.givinggrid.com/summersmile/. At the end of the campaign, our Advisory Board members will choose their favorite photos to be included in our 2017 Grey Muzzle calendar. A picture of the entire GivingGrid—including all of the pictures submitted—will be our December photo! Not only will you be showing off your beloved pup, but you’ll also be helping at-risk senior dogs. Learn more at greymuzzle.org.
Photo credit: Terran Bayer of Westway Studio
