Hello All,

Just a quick update on the events of the day in Indianapolis. The day started off a bit cloudy and chilly, but by the end of it, seven animals had found homes. This was the second day of a two-day event. The Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (normally closed on Sunday) was open to carry on the mission of Tour for Life, and promote adoptions. Between the two days, there were close to 20 rescue groups that joined the AC&C at their location. Overall it was a successful weekend where 24 animals found their forever homes. And even a few more “temporary happy endings” where a few animals from the shelter found their way into the rescue groups.

All in all there was a ray of sunshine today. There was a female dog that had come into the shelter earlier that week that happened to be pregnant. As we were getting our tour through the shelter, we passed by her cage, and as a side note: the kennel was very noisy. There was a small squeaking to be heard, as we looked into her cage we found two puppies that were just born. Along with the shelter workers, we helped move her and her puppies to a quieter location. As the day progressed, we kept checking on her and by the end of the day, she had given birth to seven puppies. She was such a sweet dog. Some mothers are very protective of their babies, but she let us pick them up and she would snuggle up to us for comfort.

There was a Great Pyrenees Rescue there and at one point, there seemed to be a gaggle of them standing around together (there was close to a dozen of them there). There were some other dogs from the shelter that were quite memorable. Two in particular. One named Steve and one named Rocco. Steve was a stray dog that was picked up by a shelter worker as he was walking down the block on a rainy day. He was a bundle of energy that had found his forever home and was waiting to be picked up because he had to be neutered. Rocco was a favorite among the volunteers and we soon found out why. He was a loving dog that was full of energy and always looking for another treat. He was very well behaved when everyone came over to say hello, although it has been said he can still act like a puppy. Unfortunately Rocco did not find his forever home but we are hoping he will in the coming days.

Well it has been a good time had here with our friends at the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control and look forward to working with them on future events.

~ Jen and Christina

We had an unfortunately quiet day in St Louis with the APA of Missouri. Our event site was at beautiful Queenie Park outside the Museum of the Dog, but I spent the day with Luna, a gorgeous big-boned cat that hung out with me in the front cab of the truck. It’s sad at the end of the day of falling in love to see them go back to the shelter, but knowing that they are well taken care of makes it better. We’ve been meeting a lot of dogs on Tour that have been at their shelter for some time and no one quite knows why. They are the overlooked dogs who are as sweet as can be, but can’t seem to find the right match. We saw that in Keeger, a sweet black Lab mix who just wanted to sit next to you and spend time with people. As we seen dogs like Keeger get passed by, we want to remind everyone that there are countless homeless pets looking for homes, and the only way to end pet homelessness is to ADOPT from a shelter – not a pet store or other avenues. Let’s get these guys into the wonderful homes they deserve!!

-Christina & Jen

Today we find ourselves in Harrisonburg, Virginia at the Rockingham/Harrisonburg shelter on Old Furnace Road. The director Ann and her staff are anxious to load up and get things rolling. It’s been two years since we’ve had the pleasure of working them and we are looking forward to a great day. The shelter is now using the ASPCA’s “Meet Your Match” program. The program allows them to assess the pets based on specific criteria, including things like aggression, separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.

The day started at 5:45 am, as Ann and Claire headed off for a live interview at a local television station. Now at the shelter with a truck filled with dogs and cats, we make our way to our adoption location, a Pet Smart off the main strip in town. Joined there by the Augusta SPCA, Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, Inc., Cat’s Cradle, The Successful Mix (a pet behavior counseling and dog training program), as well as Glamour Puss Creations, the adoption and education process began.

By day’s end, an exhausted crew enjoyed a job well done! Our thanks to all, we look forward to working together again!

Claire and Warren

Good mornin’ ya’ll and welcome to Nashville Tennessee – the country music capital of the world. Our event takes place at the Metro Animal Care and Control shelter on Harding Avenue near the airport. Judy Ladebauche and her wonderful staff greet us as we return to one of our favorite stops along our route.

The parking lot is filled with rescue groups, micro chipping services, a flea market, and musicians everywhere. All proceeds go to the shelter, in an effort to improve the well-beings of all the animals up for adoption.

Our dear friend, Emmy Lou Harris, had her rescue group “Bonapart’s Retreat” participating in the activities. This year we were blessed to have her perform for the crowd. She has been nominated as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, an honor she truly deserves. Congratulations!!

The day started out clear and sunny, however, the rains came by mid afternoon and soon we found ourselves retreating into the shelter where the festivities continued without a hitch. Music filled the hallways as the adoptions were in full swing. This year we had a total of exactly one hundred adoptions!! WOW!!

We hate to leave, but in the morning, we make our way to Virginia. Thank you for being a part of Tour for Life, and we’ll see you next year.

Your Friends,
Claire and Warren

We couldn’t have asked for a better day in Clarksville! Our friends at Precious Friends brought out some of the cutest dogs we have seen so far, and we’re happy to report that quite a few of them found homes.

Precious Friends works closely with North Shore Animal League America throughout the year providing us with puppies for adoption, while promoting the importance of spaying the moms of these puppies. While we spent the day playing with all these animals, we got word that whoever didn’t get adopted at the event would be going to the Animal League for Adoptathon!

We can’t wait to get back home and see all those cuties once again, but hopefully, a few will have found homes before we get back.

~ Christina & Jen

Upon entering our event location at Lakewood Village Shopping Center on McCain Blvd., a familiar face smiles at our arrival. “Your back again, welcome North Shore Animal League America, welcome Claire and Warren,” said Marilyn Hall of the North Little Rock Friends of Animals Shelter. This is the sixth year that Claire and I have had the pleasure of working with her, Billy Grace and all the staff and volunteers we’ve come to know.

In addition to the rescue groups that have joined us from year to year, we also included free micro chipping for the first fifty dogs, an added bonus for pet owners.

Our afternoon brought a surprise visit from “Rockin’ Dogs” a troupe of circus-like dogs performing tricks for the crowd, sure to bring a smile to your face.

We always enjoy the warm hospitality and enthusiasm of our friends in Arkansas; we wish them continued success.

Happy trails to you…… until we meet again.

Claire and Warren

This was our first event with Huntsville Animal Services, and everything went really well. Not only did we find lots of homes for their cats and dogs, but two of their dogs even went to a rescue group who saved them from going back into cages! One of the dogs that is still available is Becky. She is a Greyhound/Hound mix, and all she wanted was to lean on you and sleep next to you. She was so calm and so gentle, but overlooked due her size. People often overlook a large dog because they think it would be cruel to keep a big dog in the house. Sometimes it’s more important to look at the demeanor over the size. A sweet, quiet girl like Becky would do so well in any sized environment – if only given the chance.

-Christina & Hank

Whenever we work with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, it feels like we’re spending time with our family. We had beautiful weather for the event, and we got to spend time with Buddy, an adorable 8 month-old Terrier/Retriever mix. Buddy is the kind of dog that makes you wonder why he would be in a shelter more than a day; and unfortunately, Buddy has been with GBHS for months! I also spent time with Salem, a cross-eyed, blue-eyed, fat white cat! He was gorgeous and sweet and liked to give love bites. What a special guy. If you’re a cat person, you would fall for him in a heartbeat. As we keep on trucking, our next stop is further up the road in Huntsville.

-Christina & Hank

The Southern Animal Foundation in New Orleans is a very special new addition to the Tour for Life. Not only do they find homes for cats and dogs, they are also a veterinary clinic and a staple for animal care in the community. Joined by four other groups, there was more of a selection of dogs then you could imagine! From Jackie, a tall and gorgeous 10 year-old Afghan mix, to Muffin, a little 5 year-old Yorkshire terrier mix, there were dogs of all shapes and sizes available – and let’s not forget all the cute puppies! There were some kitties available too, including my little feisty friend, the cutest seven week-old Tabby kitten.

We’re often asked, “How do you measure a successful event? Is it simply a large number of adoptions?” Not at all! Success is measured in the joy that even just one adoption can bring to a group, or from seeing the smile on a new parent’s face when they leave the event with their new baby. For a community and a group that has been through so much already, those smiles mean the world.

-Christina & Hank

The morning finds us at the shelter for Citizens for Animal Protection, in Houston, Texas, where our friends greeted us with open arms, as they always have in the past. Working together, we are preparing to take part in the grand opening of a new park downtown called Discovery Green Park.

The perfect weather was a backdrop to the festivities about to take place. The park was jammed with people enjoying a perfect afternoon. A constant flow of prospective adopters found their way to the Animal League Adoption mobile to see all the wonderful dogs and cats that were up for adoption. Over 1,000 people came through our mobile unit, as Claire and I maintained crowd control. There was no time to take a break as the workers from the shelter had a constant flow of adoptions to process.

At the end of the day, 66 pets found new homes, or should I say 66 families were enriched by their new additions? Congratulations!!
Until next time…

Claire and Warren: Route 1