(Critter Jungle's rescue garage sale cont'd)

many, many rescues like Australian Shepherd Rescue, Hopeful Hearts, Catahoula Rescue, Bullies In Need, Boxer Rescue, Collie Rescue, Westminster Pet Sanctuary and Bark came together under one roof to celebrate what we do by having a garage sale of monumental proportions to raise money to help us continue doing what we do.

This idea was hatched by Critter Jungle last year when they hosted the First Annual Rescue Garage Sale. The tone was very upbeat and everyone had a wonderful time mingling, meeting and greeting people who had adopted dogs from their individual organizations, seeing the faces behind the actual rescue name, exchanging ideas between groups
and offering assistance to one another where we could. The general public could also see we work together and that this is not a competition.

This would not have been possible had it not been for the amazing organization and just plain hard work on the part of the Critter Jungle staff. They advertised, collected and stored garage sale items for weeks prior to the event then divided everything evenly between the rescues to sell. Rescues were also encouraged to sell any items they had personally collected and of course things they normally sell day to day to raise money.

The camaraderie was amazing, helped along by by Critter Jungle staff
who went around regularly handing out ice cold water, M&M's, muffins etc . They are to be commended for the hard work they put into this event and a special Thank You to Ginette Wilson, a long time Critter Jungle employee and liaison for Australian Shepherd Rescue. Ginette spent weeks contacting all the groups, fielding questions and concerns to all the groups involved, sending out flyers, making sure we all felt welcome and at ease all during the event and providing comic relief in the form of Australian Shepherd puppies that stole everyone's hearts.

I think the most touching part of the whole event for some of us was when we had a major thunderstorm Sunday afternoon and one of the store owners quickly ran around to each rescue with an old standby for most of us "Rescue Remedy" to help calm many of the dogs that were terrified by the storm.

A great event put on by a great store Critter Jungle, thank you from all of us here at Bark Rescue we were delighted to be included in this year's event!

Plant a Living Tree In Loving Memory
Of A Lost Loved One

A Tree Grows in ……

Losing a loved companion is one of the most difficult and painful experiences in life. It can be the loss of friend, relative or a special pet and, when it happens, we often look for a way to honour and remember the one we have lost.

There are many ways to remember a loved one but what better way than to plant a memory tree, and we are thrilled to announce that the National Capital Commission has given us permission to coordinate a Memory Tree Program.

The program is open to anyone who wishes to plant a tree in memory of a loved and lost companion, human or animal. Several locations have been selected as commemorative areas at Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit, and several species of trees have been recommended based on soil and climate suitability.

Ed Patchell, CEO of Ferguson Forest suggests Red Pine or White Oak in well-drained areas and White Spruce, Bur or White Oak, Hard (or native) Red Maple or Birch in areas with soil that has a little more moisture. He advises that the cost will vary by type and size but that the price for trees between 1.5 and 6 feet will average $10-15 per foot. This does not include delivery cost, which will also depend on the size.

Seedlings are available at very reasonable prices but they are extremely fragile and require a lot more care. If seedlings are selected, it is recommended that they be planted in multiples as some will not survive.

Trees will be planted by the individual on the date set for delivery and planting (early Spring 2007). For those who are unable to plant their own tree, there are several suppliers in the area that can provide planting service for a fee and we may be able to arrange the purchase, delivery and planting through one of those nurseries.

Care of memory trees, i.e. watering, feeding, winter protection, etc., which will be required for the first few years, will be the sole responsibility of the individual purchasing the tree. It should also be noted that as the trees will be planted on public land they may be subject to vandalism or diseases for which neither the National Capital Commission nor the National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs bears any responsibility.

If you would like more information regarding the purchase and planting of a memory tree, please e-mail the NCCPD at nccpd@sympatico.ca or telephone 613.228.7764.