I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for making our Mutt Strut 2008 a success. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had many compliments from people and their pets who had a wonderful time. Generosity and good will was felt throughout the event.

The thank yous may require two letters, so if you are not in this first letter, please be patient and please do let me know if I have forgotten anyone! There are so many to thank. It takes lots of caring people to make the event possible!

First of all I would like to thank the sponsors. The event has a Lifetime Memorial Sponsor in memory of Kayla McElaney. The Title Sponsors were Kimble Chiropractic in honor of “Bodie and Ginger” and Nancy and Poteet Ray. Our Corporate sponsor was Carl, Linda, Velvet, and Angel Reist. The Gold Paw Sponsors were Design’s and Logo’s, Dog Palace, Domino’s Pizza, The Percinsky Pack, Oldies Radio Magic 99.5, RCS Printing/Business Machines Services, AAA Homes, Wetzel Valley Agencies, Inc., In Loving Memory of Elliot, Hunter and Howie, Radio Shack/Verizon Wireless, Sherwin Williams, and PPG Industries. The Silver Paw: Dad’s Dog Food; Leslie Manley/Gold Canyon Candles; New Martinsville Moose Lodge #931; Thomas White, Attorney at Law; Wetzel County Hospital; Riverside Animal Clinic/Dr. Barnes; Hydro-Power, Inc.; Grisell Funeral Home and Crematory; and Aquarium Pets. We had many patrons who also made donations, and of course all the people that donated and sponsored those who attended the Mutt Strut.

Next I would like to thank those who donated items for our raffle and/or door prizes: Barb Carol, Cabela’s, Pam Lacefield, Linda Reist, Brenda Long, and Leslie Manley.

Lots of thanks also go out to the the Green Tab and the Chronicle for advertising the event for us. They worked tirelessly to get the word out along with channel 15 and Oldies Radio 99.5, and all the businesses in town that allowed us to put up posters and brochures.

There will be another letter next week to thank all the volunteers who helped make the event run so smoothly!

Rosetta Cozart and animals and shelter staff